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DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
An intensive hockey clinic taught young hockey players in Fort Providence a better grasp of the fundamentals last month.

Jean-Benoit Deschamps, a hockey instructor from Yellowknife, led the two-day clinic from Jan. 20 to 21. Making the most out of his time in the hamlet, Deschamps spent eight hours on the ice on the first day working with the young players ranging in age from 11 to 16.

"It was really demanding for the kids for the weekend," he said.

Dechamps said, however, that all of the participants, 15 at the peak, responded positively to the training.

"The kids were amazing on the ice," he said. "They were all committed to hockey."

Deschamps used drills to focus on basic hockey skills including sharp turns, stopping, starting and skating backwards. By focusing on basic skills, the youths become better hockey players, he said.

Building on the fundamentals, Deschamps added shooting, passing and later advanced drills combining multiple skills. On Sunday the participants put their lessons to the test on the ice during a game.

"We made a progression throughout the weekend," he said. "You could see the difference."

Deschamps said having a small group to work with allowed him to work one on one with the players and gave them confidence in their abilities. Deschamps said he pushed the students out of their comfort zones so they'd see results. It was great to work with youths who weren't afraid to work hard, he said.

In addition to the on-ice sessions, Deschamps spent two sessions off ice on Saturday to focus on nutrition, stretching and off-ice training. The right off-ice training gives players better skills and discipline structures when they're back in the rink, he said.

Deschamps, who's played professional level hockey and coached pro hockey in Europe, said he enjoys following his passion for the sport and giving back to the kids.

All of the youths who participated in the clinic were enthusiastic about it, said Lawrence Nitsiza, the Hamlet of Fort Providence's recreation director.

"They want to do it again," he said.

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