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.
Richard Dupre spent his summers in the Whitney Forum practicing and learning new skills for the upcoming hockey season. For the past 15 years, Dupre has been a part of the Flin Flon Extreme Hockey School Ð eight of them as an instructor. This year, he has taken the school on as his summer challenge. In previous years, Mike Reagan headed the school. But, as the Flin Flon Bombers head coach and GM came to realize it was too much to take on, Dupre stepped up to the plate. "I thought I should take it over and keep it running in the community," said Dupre. He said he didn't want to see the school, based at the Whitney Forum, be dropped by the wayside. "When I was growing up, I always attended it and I loved it," he said. "These kids should have the (same) chance that I got to take part in the local hockey school." Dupre is currently attending the University of Alberta, Augustana campus in Camrose. Dupre hopes to become a teacher. The Extreme Hockey School, he says, is the perfect opportunity for him. Registration for the school has begun and is well underway as Dupre says there are already roughly 30 young athletes signed up. The regular camp, which offers guidance at the junior, intermediate and advanced levels, will teach the hockey players a few new skills and drills as well as keep them in shape for the upcoming season. Dupre says he's pleased with the numbers already as he wasn't expecting to see any until a week before the early bird draw. In total, he hopes to see roughly 120 athletes out on the ice in the different camps. Following the school, Dupre will also be directing the conditioning camp for older athletes. Those who attend both the school and the camp, Dupre says, will work both on and off the ice. On the ice, the former Bomber says the athletes will be working on their skills and drills, while off the ice they will be doing dry land training. As well, there is a classroom portion of the school where the hockey players will learn the rules of the game as well as fair play. Growing up with the Extreme Hockey School program, Dupre says he knows firsthand what the favourite aspects of the program are. "A favourite with the kids is on the Saturday when we do the intersquad game," he said. But it isn't just the scrimmage that has the players excited. "There is a big barbecue to follow for all of the kids," Dupre said. As well, the director says those participating get to take part in a big floor hockey game at the Flin Flon Community Hall. And the skills competition is always a favourite. Though Reagan isn't the director of the Extreme Hockey School, he will be on the ice with the athletes as the lead instructor. Also on the ice, and off it, this year will be David Ritz, the head goalie instructor. Ritz joins the school as a former Melfort Mustang. Joel Jackson will be at the school as the head dry land instructor. He comes from the OCN Blizzard and the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. Locals Tanner Korchinski and Ryan Fox will be on the list as well. Brett Ferguson, a two-year Norman AAA Northstar, will be on the ice. So will Cory Dupre, who is with the Tri-town Thunder. Bomber Dougie McLeod will be making his way back to the rink a little bit early as he will be helping with the school. Local Greg Kritzer, who plays with the Selkirk Fisherman, will be on hand as well. Between 12 and 14 instructors will be present for the Flin Flon Extreme Hockey School. For more information, contact Richard Dupre at 688-4665.
