Running from July 27-29 at the Acadia
“This is the kind of the time when hockey starts to get a little more serious and (players) need to realize what it is that university teams or major junior teams are looking for,” said Acadia Axemen head coach Darren Burns.
The showcase puts up and coming locals in front of recruiters from high-level hockey programs.
“Things happen a lot younger now,” said Burns. “Kids are even signing letters of intent to commit to division one schools at the age of 15 now.”
In Acadia hockey’s recent efforts, Burns’ staff - including Kris MacDonald, Mark Richards, Mike Alcoe and Acadia Minor Hockey Association Hockey Development chairman Shaun Kuryluk - have developed select teams that travel abroad.
“Shaun and Kris' work is an example of our program’s ability to help grassroots hockey in developing youth in the basic skills. We also have the university staff to be able to help guide kids who are getting to the age where they need to make important decisions in their careers,” said Burns.
The showcase helps with player development, he said, and also offers Atlantic Canadian hockey players access to some of the best coaches from various levels, including prep school, major junior, junior A and the university level.
“It’s always been the goal of Acadia…. to try to provide something here in the Valley where kids don’t have to travel,” he said.
It’s a benefit to the coaches as well, Burns said, as it offers local coaches an opportunity to watch and learn from coaches outside the area.
Other camps planned
The showcase will kick off a series of development camps for every age and skill level in August.
Local stand-outs Cam Whynot, Bailey Peach, Damien Hartt, Maggie Burbidge and Brent Levy are examples of kids who have benefited from the Acadia camps and all have represented the province at various regional and national events, he added.
“Where it is important to bring in the region’s top players, it's essential that we spend time focusing on the grassroots level,” Burns said.
The female instructors are some of the best in Atlantic Canada, including U18 Team Canada member Brette Pettet; the most sought after recruit by NCAA Division 1 schools in Atlantic Canada Maggie Burbidge and Kate Spooner, a Union College NCAA Division 1 goalie.
“It’s so important to have those female role models. When you look at those three kids, it doesn’t get much better than that,” said Burns.
Coaching staff
Coaches for the camps include Greenwood from the Halifax Mooseheads; University of Maine Black Bears associate head coach Ben Guite; Berwick native Charles Grant, who has extensive experience as a professional goaltender and most recently played for the Rapid City Rush in the ECHL- an affiliate team of the Arizona Coyotes of the NHL; and Travis Young, a former player and assistant coach with the Acadia Axemen and new head coach of the junior A Valley Wildcats. A high-level, off-ice training led by Acadia Athletics’ strength and conditioning coach, Elliott Richardson, will also be included in the camp programming.
Did you know?
The AMHA was recently named the hockey association of the year by Hockey Nova Scotia for its continued efforts in developing Annapolis Valley hockey players.
