Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

RANKIN INLET - Hockey players from six age groups received a little professional instruction in Rankin Inlet this past week.

Former L.A. Kings goaltending consultant and current Red Deer Rebels goaltending coach Andy Nowicki was in town to conduct a number of skills-development sessions.

This save by Team M&T goalie Jamie Roach is solid evidence of Red Deer Rebels goaltending coach Andy Nowicki's contention that the future of the game is in good hands with Rankin Inlet's group of young goalies. - photo courtesy of Doug McLarty

Nowicki instructed players in the initiation, novice, atom, peewee, bantam and midget categories.

The sessions featured everything from stretching exercises to puck-handling, skating, shooting and goaltending drills.

There were also drills aimed at letting the young players have a bit of fun while increasing their heart rates and getting them in the mood for a serious instruction seminar.

Nowicki spends time with the players following the on-ice sessions of his skills-development camp.

He goes over what they learned during the session and gives them insight into what it's going to take for them to advance to the next level.

"The players worked hard on the ice, listened well and saw their game improve by taking part," said Nowicki.

"The key to learning a new skill and improving upon it is to repeat it, repeat it and then repeat it some more.

"Hard work and dedication are vital for a player to improve."

Nowicki has been coming to Rankin to work with young players for many years and often comments about the quality of goaltending he sees in the community. He said the goaltending continues to be in good hands today.

"As I look around after a session, I see the future goaltenders for the Rankin senior league in the room.

"It's both a development process and a growth process.

"Great goaltenders help produce great scorers on their own team because they have to work so hard to beat them in practice."

Nowicki told the players the more they put into developing their skills, the more ice time they'll earn as they progress up the ranks.

He said nothing stays equal for very long in the world of hockey.

"In minor hockey, especially the younger ranks, you want to see all the kids get an equal chance to play.

"But as they move up the ladder, their ice time will narrow or increase based on their skill, desire and ability."