LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
A Fort Simpson hockey skills development camp held this past weekend was an early step in building a bigger minor hockey league in the community.

Greg Hopf shares a laugh during the hockey skills camp in Fort Simpson on Sunday. - Shane Magee/NNSL photo

The village rec centre rink hosted the clinic from Nov. 28 to 30.

While players from minor hockey to the men's and women's recreation leagues took part, organizers say the main goal was to build capacity in the younger groups.

"This weekend was kind of step one of more steps to come," said Greg Hopf, the camp's facilitator.

The goal is to build the minor hockey league so the community can put its own team on the ice when going to tournaments.

In previous years, low numbers have seen children at tournaments playing with other teams.

Village recreation co-ordinator Nathan McPherson said one recent year saw as few as 10 children in minor hockey.

This year, however, registration numbers so far show about 30.

There was a good turnout for the clinic, said Hopf. The minor hockey sessions for children ages six to 11 drew about 14 participants. He mainly focused on improving skating skills for that group.

"Every kid was so happy to be there," Hopf said. "I don't think Fort Simpson gets too many of those clinics. They're way more appreciative of those clinics."

With the basic skating skills improving, coaches can focus on other skills, he said.

Young participants said after the sessions concluded on Sunday they enjoyed the weekend.

Colton Hardisty-Gillis said his favourite part was a game called Star Wars.

That game places the coaches along the boards, while the players all all grouped at one end of the rink.

The players are supposed to race to the other side without being hit by soft tennis balls thrown by the coaches, said Hopf.

The last player not hit is the winner.

While skating down the ice, dodging balls and attempting to avoid getting hit, the players are practicing skills Hopf has been trying to teach with drills.

"They're doing it and they don't even know it," he said. "And they're having fun. All you can hear is laughing."

It's that mix of skills development and fun that Hopf said will keep bringing children back to the rink.

He said part of growing minor hockey is having parents who stay in the rink to watch their children practice and play.

"As a coach, you can't just be sitting in the rink tying 10 pairs of skates," Hopf said.

As part of the weekend clinic, seven coaches were certified with Hockey Canada and that gives them new access to hundreds of additional practice drills, Hopf said.

"If we're going to build this system up to where it should be in Fort Simpson, we need good coaches," he said.

McPherson said having certified coaches is great for the community.

"It empowers the coaches to do a lot more," he said.

McPherson, who organized the clinic, said he was pleased with how the weekend went. There has been some discussion about Hopf returning for another clinic.

"I would love to come back," said Hopf.

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