The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Kelly Carrington Staff Writer One month ago, the fate of the Flin Flon Xtreme Hockey School rested in the hands of local participants. With barely enough registrants to make a group, let alone a team, the Intermediate age group was in danger of being shut down due to a lack of interest. But in true Flin Flon fashion, a late registration saw nearly 25 Intermediate players on the ice for the Whitney Forum-based hockey school. 'I was pretty happy with that,' said director Mike Reagan. 'We're hoping because of the success we had with it this year, it will be even bigger next year.' The Xtreme Hockey School features two age groups: Juniors and Intermediates. Due to an insufficient number of players over the age of 12 in the area, the school recently removed its older age groups. There was no loss for the younger age group, as there were 38 participants in the Junior category _ seen as too many. Typically only 32 kids are allowed to enter the program for that age group, so Reagan says next year the school will have to cap the program. This year's camp went smoothy for those involved. Few surprises Reagan, who is also coach and GM of the Flin Flon Bombers, has been involved with the camp for over a decade and says not much surprises him anymore. '...you expect a few hiccups every year,' he said. 'There are always going to be kids who are not ready or mature enough to be there.' The hockey school held sessions both on and off the ice as well as classroom time. Learning the fundamentals of the game and working on existing skills, the players developed their game. Alongside the regular sessions, players were able to register for specialty clinics on stickhandling, power skating, conditioning and goaltending. '...we had, on most nights, 30 to 35 guys out,' said Reagan. 'The skills camp was really popular.' With good numbers for sessions like bodychecking and power skating, Reagan said he was pleased. 'It was in question whether the hockey school was something that Flin Flon could still support,' Reagan said. 'Definitely with the numbers we ended up with, we'll be doing this again next year.' Reagan heard many positive comments and said those involved with the school visibly enjoyed themselves A few Bombers and former Bombers were on the ice with the players as well. '...anytime you have one of your own (out) there, the kids are going to be excited about that,' said Reagan. Bombers goaltender Devin Buffalo was between the pipes, along with Creighton's Jeff Stallard, as he gave advice and tips to the netminders of the Flin Flon Minor Hockey Association. Other Bombers, former Bombers and Norman North Stars were on the ice as well. 'Most of the feedback was that it was a really good experience,' said Reagan. The hockey school was designed with all skill levels in mind. 'If you're looking for an absolute elite hockey school where your kid is the best in the North, I understand there are elite schools,' said Reagan, who compares Flin Flon's school to many he's worked with. 'We'd love to run (an elite school), but we don't have the numbers here for that.' Reagan says the Xtreme Hockey School enjoyed another successful year even though things started out rocky. 'I think that things went really good,' said the director. 'All the feedback was good. And as long as the feedback is good, we'll keep doing it.'
