- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Remarkable run
- Updated: July 22, 2016
MONTREAL – It’s hard to believe the Canadiens Hockey School is wrapping up its 10th year on Friday.
Since ushering in its inaugural class in July 2007 in Pierrefonds, QC, thousands of youngsters have been privileged to learn the fundamentals of the game and hone their skills with the help of some of the top local instructors in the business – and meet many of their hockey idols along the way, too.
What started out as a week-long camp with 100 participants all those years ago, has steadily grown into a three-week program that now welcomes approximately 700 boys and girls aged 7 to 14 from all around the world to the Bell Sports Complex every summer.
While the majority of attendees in 2016 hailed from all across Canada and 20 U.S. states, youngsters also made the trek to Quebec from as far away as Great Britain, Switzerland, and France. China, Thailand, Norway, and Italy were also represented in the past.
Last year, the Canadiens Hockey School reached new heights when organizers Stephane Verret and Angelo Ruffolo took the program overseas for the very first time. Leysin, Switzerland and Beijing, China were proud hosts, affording kids in Europe and the Far East who might not otherwise be able to attend the school to do just that. Interestingly enough, the Leysin Sport Academy will play host to another 200 Canadiens Hockey School campers for two weeks beginning on Sunday, July 24.
Verret and Ruffolo couldn’t be prouder of the way the project has grown over the years. The progress has been nothing short of astounding, and seeing brand new ideas come to life every June, July and August has been quite rewarding.
“It’s been unreal. Time has really flown by. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years already. We basically started with a blank sheet of paper. Seeing everything fall into place and the progress we’ve made since 2007 is a big accomplishment. We’re proud to be a part of it every single day. It’s a real honor,” said Verret, the Canadiens’ manager of youth hockey development. “The fact that our camp is recognized across the globe means a lot. That’s why we always want to step it up and push the envelope every year. It’s just amazing to see how far things have come. …
continue reading in source canadiens.nhl.com
