North Stars defenceman, Zane Florence assists with running drills Tuesday, during day two of the Stars Hockey School this week. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Connecting with Community

North Stars making most of second week of Hockey School

Aug 24, 2021 | 3:11 PM

For the second week in a row, school is in session for young hockey players at North Battleford’s Access Communications Centre.

The Battlefords North Stars kicked off their second and final week of their annual summer Hockey School Monday, with 40 players between the U9 and U13 age groups on hand to work on their hockey development and skills training.

Hometown local, defenceman Zane Florence, is among the Stars’ players on hand to help out this week. He said he’s really enjoyed the experience, adding that it wasn’t that long ago he was on the other side of the summer camp activities.

“It was a lot of fun just laughing with the kids and teaching them some things,” Florence said. “I remember going to the camp multiple years as a kid, so it’s pretty cool to be the one teaching it now, and seeing those kids who one day could be some of us [on the Stars].”

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Head coach and camp organizer, Brayden Klimosko said while much of the programming is the same as the week prior, they have had to make at least a couple of adjustments to some of the off-ice drills, due to the weather outside.

“We had to make some minor adjustments with the dryland training, because it wasn’t so dry outside, so we were stuck indoors for that, but we were able to work with it and it’s been another good group with some [returnees] back from last week, so that speaks volumes to things again this summer.”

Players gather around to learn a new drill Tuesday at the Stars Hockey School. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

This week’s turnout of 40 youth, adds to the 45 from last week, marking a successful return of the Hockey School, after last year’s event was ultimately cancelled due to the pandemic.

Perhaps Stars’ forward, Dylan Esau summarized the week best.

“There’s been lots of kids and they seem pretty excited to be back on the ice, and I think us players who are out here to help this week are pretty excited to get back out there as well,” he said.

The North Stars Hockey School will wrap up Friday, Aug. 27. Following the conclusion of the team’s Hockey School, the North Stars will hold their Fall Camp over the weekend, Aug. 27-29 in the community.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1