Nearly 60 students from elementary schools across the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board are lacing up their skates over the next few weeks to take part in the Hockey Canada Skills Academy program.
Officials say the new elective spans February through April and paves the way for Gr. 7 and 8 kids to learn more about hockey in a non-competitive environment.
Tyler Miller, who teaches the program at St. Joseph Scollard Hall in North Bay, says it was expanded to the elementary schools because of how successful it was with high school students. He says all the kids are passionate about the sport and it’s nice to see them build relationships with their peers.
“Every session has a new drill added for you to improve your skills and hockey I.Q.,”, says Reed Sauve, Gr. 8 student at St. Theresa in Callander. “It gives us a chance to learn how to improve our game.”