The money from the now-disbanded Kamsack Senior Flyers that was donated to Kamsack Minor Hockey is allowing young hockey players to attend a hockey development camp at half the amount it would otherwise cost.
Being held October 14 and 15, the camp, which will have a former Kamsack Minor Hockey player as an instructor, is restricted to 48 players, said Mike Eliuk, president of Kamsack Minor Hockey.
Kamsack hockey players have until September 19 to register at $75 each and after then, if there are spaces open, hockey players of other communities may register, but they will be paying $150 each.
Each player registered will have six hours of ice time during the weekend camp, Eliuk said.
The camp is being instructed by two accomplished players, one of which is Jordan Trach, a former Kamsack resident who played minor hockey here while his father worked as the postmaster from 1991 to 2000. His parents Les and Audrey Trach, now live in North Battleford.
Trach will be instructing the power skating side of the camp, while Dean Seymour will be looking after the skills competition.
A power skating instructor from Martensville, Jordan Trach played his minor hockey in both Kamsack and Martensville, says information on his webpage.
“At age 14 Jordan moved to North Battleford and played AAA midget hockey as an under-aged player,” the information says. “Jordan enjoyed success through his youth hockey and was selected eighth overall in the 2004 (Western Hockey League) WHL Bantam Draft by the Prince Albert Raiders.
“He joined the Raiders as a 16 year old and played for three seasons in the WHL before having to retire from competitive hockey in 2009 from concussion issues.
“Soon after retiring Jordan decided he wanted to stay involved in the hockey world and give back to future generations of hockey players. Jordan got involved as a skating instructor mentoring under NHL power skating coach Barry Karn (Minnesota Wild and Calgary Flames).
“Jordan has taken what he has learned and uses it today with players of all ages throughout minor hockey. He has had the opportunity to work with NHL players Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jared Cowan, Brayden McNabb and Rickard Rakall on a regular basis.
“Jordan has experience coaching minor hockey and has his development one coaching certificate, along with his Speak Out certificate.
“Jordan spends his life around hockey and prides himself on being a student of the game, studying and observing the game to ensure he is up to date with all things skating related,” the information says. “Jordan also uses his knowledge and experience gained from having played in the WHL and incorporates these into his own unique skating brand.”
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to return to Kamsack,” Trach said last week, adding that he had not been to the community in a long time.
“I still remember the many hours I worked on my skating skills in the old rink when the two rinks were still standing,” he said. “I’m interested in seeing where the Kamsack rink is at.”
Seymour Hockey focuses on the customization of skill development in a fun and challenging environment, said information on Dean Seymour’s webpage. It specializes in shooting, puck handling and small area skills.
Dean Seymour is a hockey skill development coach for players at the NHL level all the way down through minor hockey, and is the owner/operator of Seymour Hockey.
“Being an ex-professional hockey player himself for over nine years, Dean incorporates his global playing experience with his local coaching certification to deliver some of the best skill instruction in the province,” the information said. “Dean’s passion for the game is easily noticed when he is on the ice with the players.”
Seymour grew up in Saskatoon and played all his minor hockey in the Flyer zone and later for the Saskatoon Contacts of the Midget AAA league, it said. After two all-star seasons with the Yorkton Terriers and a berth in the Royal Bank Cup, he received a hockey scholarship to Northern Michigan University.
“After college, Dean went on to play nine years of professional hockey that saw his career take him from the United States, to Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and Finland, highlighted by an invite to the 2001 Spengler Cup.
“Now back in Saskatoon Dean spends most of his time developing hockey players by sharing the skills and instruction he has received throughout North America and Europe,” it says. “Dean also values his time with family and friends but especially cherishes the time with his wife Erinn and their two boys Ben and Max.”
Kamsack Minor Hockey players are being registered on September 14 and September 19.
Working on the association’s executive committee with Eliuk are: Jeremy Allard, vice-president; Julie Gareau, treasurer; Desiree Lorenzo, secretary; Andrea Marsh, registration; Shanley Allard, webmaster and social media; Hillary Walter and Jocelyn Symak, fundraising; Shawn Lawless, equipment manager, and Lee Symak and Greg and Kelly Salahub, members-at-large.
