The ice is in and local teams are preparing for camp at the end of August, but the first to hit the ice will be Champions Hockey School which commences on Sunday.
The seven day camp will put over 150 skaters through the paces through a combination of dryland training and on ice instruction as well as video analysis, team building and leadership training.
The camp is split into five age groups: a mini camp for ages five to seven, the Avalanche group for ages eight to 10, the Bruins ages 11-12, Bantam prep camp for 13-14, and the Midget prep and college camp for 15 and up.
Champions Hockey School hosts a team of elite instructors that include Connor and Kellen Jones, who led Quinnipiac Bobcats to the NCAA final in April.
Former Portland Winterhawk forward and Beaver Valley Nitehawk coach Terry Jones heads the group, with Ella Matteucci - Clarkson University, Paul Matteucci Nitehawks coach, Dave Pasin J.L. Crowe Hockey Academy Instructor, Kevin Limbert – Yale University grad, Jim Ingram - former Trail Smoke Eater coach, Sahir Gill - Boston University, and Mike Morisette of the Nitehawks returning as instuctors. The camp will also feature for the first time Alex Evin of NL Goal, a former standout BCHL goalie and Colgate University grad.
Team leaders such as Jake Lucchini and Scott Davidson of the Smoke Eaters will help lead the young skaters in workouts and scrimmages.
The camp goes until Aug. 18 at the Cominco Arena.