Hockey | Camps & Clinics
SHARKS SUMMER CAMP
The dream of every young hockey player is to lace up their skates and play in the NHL. This summer, members of the Sharks organization helped hundreds of kids move one step closer to their goal.
The Sharks played host to two youth camps this summer at Logitech Ice at San Jose to accommodate players from all levels: a Skills Development Camp (for players 6-13 years old at any skill level) and the Summer Cup Scrimmage Camp (for players 9-13 years old at a more advanced skill level).
What separates the Sharks Summer Hockey School from other schools is the caliber of hockey instructors. More than 200 participants were able to get personal instruction from the same coaches Sharks players depend on to improve their professional hockey skills.
Sharks Assistant Coaches Tim Hunter and Rob Zettler shared their wisdom gained from years of NHL experience with eager participants. Joining Hunter and Zettler were Head Coach Roy Sommer and Assistant Coach David Cunniff of the Cleveland Barons, the Sharks top developmental affiliate in the American Hockey League, NHL Power Skating Coach Graeme Townshend and Blaine Moore, general manager of the ECHL's Fresno Falcons.
"Ours is the only camp in the area that is completely staffed by NHL, AHL or other minor league coaches, giving Sharks camp participants the best possible instruction. Our coaches truly enjoy spending their summers with the kids and it shows in the level of care they take in putting each practice and game together," Sharks Fan Development Manager Mike Bruins said.
Having some of the top hockey coaches in the country as instructors would be more than enough for other camps, but the Sharks pride themselves on being the best. In addition to the coaches, many Sharks players made guest appearances at the rink.
Participants got a chance to rub elbows with their favorite Sharks players including Scott Hannan and Patrick Marleau, who were members of Canada's gold-medal-winning 2004 World Cup of Hockey team. Other Sharks who showed up were Niko Dimitrakos, Wayne Primeau, Brad Stuart and Scott Thornton.
"The players truly get a kick out of spending time with the kids each summer and it shows in the growing number of them who come out year after year," Bruins said.
The goal of the Sharks Summer Hockey Schools is to enhance player development through professional instruction and innovative challenging programs. But the Sharks youth camp taught much more than hockey fundamentals. The coaches also emphasized the importance of the characteristics the Sharks expect of their NHL stars such as a strong work ethic, teamwork and good sportsmanship. Most important of all, however, they encouraged the kids to have fun.
Many of these kids will remember their experiences at Sharks Summer Hockey School for the rest of their lives. Who knows, maybe one day, one of these kids will be wearing teal.
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