ST. PAUL – From Sept. 22 to 24, U7 to U18 hockey players with St. Paul Minor Hockey, and some from neighbouring communities, took part in the 2023 St. Paul Hockey Development Camp at the Clancy Richard Arena.
The camp was provided by HiTek Development, a sports development company from Lethbridge.
“The idea is that it’s a kick-off camp before the players get with their hockey team,” gearing up for the upcoming season, said Chris Leroux, one of the owners and instructors at HiTek.
Leroux said the company has a partnership with the St. Paul Minor Hockey, working on the skill development of its players, while also offering the opportunity to players from the region.
HiTek Development provides skills training for a variety of sports, focusing on smaller communities to run its sports camps.
“I always use local presence to help us,” said Leroux, explaining local hockey coaches help out at the camp as well, which means coaches with St. Paul Minor Hockey were also able to learn from instructors at HiTek.
About 105 players in total participated in the camp, and Leroux said he’s very happy with the turnout. “We put on a really good comprehensive camp for all levels,” he said, gesturing to the young athletes on the ice, engaged in a series of drills under the watchful eyes of coaches.
“The kids have been great,” said Leroux, explaining the young athletes’ eagerness to train. “Players [are] on time and ready to go... parents have been great as well.”
Leroux thanked St. Paul Minor Hockey for working with HiTek and helping provide the ice time for the weekend, which in turn keeps registration fees for participating athletes low. He also thanked parents for bringing their kids to camp.
“We’re pretty happy to be back in the community,” said Leroux.
Instructors at this year’s camp include Matthew Gervais from St. Paul, who previously played in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Sebastien Cullham with the St. Paul Canadiens was also present as a goalie instructor.
Jay Langager was also among the instructors. He played for the University of Lethbridge before moving on to play in the ECHL with the Bakersfield Condors based in Bakersfield, California.
