Local groups relishing a return to the ice at Art Hauser Centre

Instructor Mark Odnokon told paNOW in previous years the camp goes for nine days and this year it will only go for five days from Aug. 10 to 14.

They’re allowed 30 participants on the ice at one time and that includes the instructors.

“We figured we had to try and at least do something just to get the kids out on the ice again and get them going or get them out of the house,” Odnokon said. “We’re fortunate that we work well with the city, we’ve had a good relationship there and they’ve been good and upfront about everything.”

Those who wish to participate in the camp can visit the website and check updated information such as a new schedule.

This year there will be no specific camps for goaltenders, defencemen or checking this year. Odnokon said these will be instructed during other ice sessions. Even though they didn’t want to remove those specific camps, they wanted to maximize the ice as much as they could.

“Those are specialized camps and we would love to do them, but I think what we’re looking at is just getting the kids on the ice,” he said.

The group has had lots of calls, texts and emails asking when the camp will begin.

“There’s people just really eager to get going so that encouraged us also,” he said. “If you don’t hear from anybody, you’re kind of going ‘oh geez should we even run this thing?’ but we’ve had a lot of interest again.”

Prince Albert Skating Club

Head coach of the Prince Albert Skating Club Carla Jenkins said starting on Aug. 17 they will have three hours a day of ice time from Monday to Friday for two weeks as a kickoff for their preseason for figure skaters.

“We haven’t had the go ahead yet for our other programs so we’re starting with our figure skaters, which is usually around the time we normally start with them,” Jenkins said.

Since the skaters have been off the ice for so long, they will be practicing a lot of the basics.

“A lot of technique, turns, edges, all kinds of basic stuff, stroking to get them back into shape,” she explained.

The figure skaters attending the camp will be anywhere from six-years-old to 17.

“We’re super excited, we didn’t know what to expect this year,” Jenkins said.

The club will have two different groups on the ice each day to make sure all the skaters have a chance to take part.

“We are just opening actually the online registration I believe will open the beginning of August,” she said.

Prince Albert Raiders

The Art Hauser Centre is of course the home of the Prince Albert Raiders.

Business manager for the club, Michael Scissons, said he wasn’t surprised to hear the ice would be going back in and the rink would be reopening.

“This is a regular time for the ice to be going back in because there is a bunch of camps,” he said. “I was excited to see that this is a positive step forward in a return to hockey for not only the Prince Albert Raiders but for all players in Prince Albert.”

He said the optimism about a return of the Western Hockey League season potentially in October has never failed. The WHL announced in June their Return to Play Protocol for the 2020/21 season is a target date of Oct. 2.

“The fact of the matter is everybody is doing everything they can to make sure we get on the ice as quickly as possible. To me it’s not a question of if, it’s just a matter of a question as to when,” Scissons said.

He explained the return to the ice for WHL teams will be up to the league but said if they’re going to start on Oct. 2 training could potentially start a couple weeks beforehand. That means if the WHL’s plan goes as hoped for the Raiders could be on the ice as early as Sept. 15, although, amid the pandemic the decision is still up in the air.

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ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

by Ian Gustafson

Local groups relishing a return to the ice at Art Hauser Centre

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