“Our September Pro-D Day Hockey School sold out quickly, and the feedback was overwhelmingly very positive.”
That’s from Prince George Cougars’ Vice-President of Business Andy Beesley as the team has scheduled its second of the school-year series for Friday, Oct. 23 following a positive community response for the first session last month.
In early September, the Cats unveiled the Pro-D Day Hockey School as a way for young athletes to develop their skills with its coaching staff, while also getting the chance to train and get back on the ice during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We feel this next one offers great choices that appeals to all skill levels of minor hockey players in our community,” Beesley adds in a news release today (Oct. 7).
“We wanted to help fill the void the pandemic has created, and we look forward to continuing to offer a great resource for minor hockey players throughout the fall and winter season.”
Our Pro-D Day Hockey School is underway! pic.twitter.com/9wP0B5N390
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) September 25, 2020
Competition for minor hockey players in Prince George has been put on hold as a result of the virus, but demand is slowly beginning to pick up with looser restrictions that allow full benches and more contact.
As a result, the format for the upcoming Pro-D Day session has been revised to feature more game-play scenarios for those in the recreational ice sessions.
“I’m proud that our coaching staff is taking up a leadership role in helping develop our local minor hockey players,” said Cougars Head Coach and General Manager Mark Lamb in a previous statement, who will joined by goaltending coach Taylor Dakers and Development Coach Steve O’Rourke.
“We are excited to provide ice sessions not only tailored to the elite level player but also those recreational level players who are looking for a great experience.”
An 11- to 12-year-old group has also been added to the series; space is limited to 24 players, which is six more per session than the first camp.
The Oct. 23 schedule at Kin 2 Arena is as follows:
Three-on-Three Open Ice Sessions
- 8:00-9:00 am
- Fun, three-on-three scrimmages; ages 7-8
- 9:30-10:30 am
- Fun, three-on-three scrimmages; 9-10
- 11:00 am-12:00 pm
- Fun, three-on-three scrimmages; ages 11-12
Elite Level Ice Sessions
- 12:30-1:30 pm
- Skills training for all positions, including goalies; ages 9-10
- 2:00-3:00 pm
- Skills training for all positions, including goalies; ages 11-12
The cost is $35 per session, but also includes a merchandise pack and a home-game ticket voucher when the Cougars' season returns.
For more information, you can visit the Prince George Cougars’ website.
