Inuvik - Two Inuvik hockey stars are going to camp this summer to improve their skills and for a chance to play southern hockey full time.

For Geo Pascal and James Williams, the next few weeks are integral to their hockey careers.

Hockey players Geo Pascal and James Williams will be spending a lot of their summer break at hockey schools in Alberta. The two are leaving this week for training camps, followed by try-out camps. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Both are out of town this week to attend training schools before attempting a junior prep camp next week.

Pascal said he heard about the camps from Williams' dad Tom.

"There are two coaches who come up every year for a clinic," said Pascal.

"They chose us to take part in a camp this summer, with the possibility of playing for their teams," he said.

The junior prep camp is being held by the Drumheller Dragons, a team based in Alberta.

Both players were shortlisted by the visiting coaches in November 2007. Pascal left earlier this week for a short hockey school refresher before attending the try-out camp in Drumheller, Alta.

"I'll be at Banff hockey school until the try-out camp," he said.

Pascal said he is looking forward to a good strong workout when he is in Banff.

"I'll be working on my conditioning and a lot of drills," he said.

To prepare, Pascal said he is going to the gym five times a week.

Pascal said he and Williams played their last games in May.

Once both players make it through the junior prep camp, they might be invited to take part in the team camp, which is where they can be made a part of the Dragons team.

If Pascal makes it through the camp and past all the other players, he will be offered a place on the team, living out of Medicine Hat, Alta.

"If it doesn't work out, I can play in Creston, B.C.," said Pascal.

For Williams, playing in the camps is a no-brainer.

Williams said it's all because of his dad, who set up the connections for the camps.

While Pascal is away at Banff, Williams will already be in Drumheller for the junior prep-camp.

For Williams, his time will be a double-duty.

"I'm also working as an instructor at a hockey camp in Drumheller," he said.

"My dad got a call, that the coaches wanted us to come and teach at the school."

Unfortunately, either way this will be the last season for the Williams family in Inuvik, as they are moving to Yellowknife this summer.

Even if the boys don't make the team cut, Williams said there is a chance they could be picked up and signed to a farm team in Alberta.