DAVE GIBSON
GILPIN COUNTY — Providing local mountain kids with recreational opportunities, Peak to Peak Endurance’s hockey year may have concluded recently, but recruiting players for next year’s season is ongoing. One of the ways Peak to Peak Endurance reaches those that are interested in participating is through the Colorado Avalanche Youth Hockey Program.
Making an appearance at Gilpin Elementary School on February 16, their Hockey 101 class familiarized children with fundamental techniques such as stick handling, passing, and shooting. Whether the sport was on their radar beforehand or not, all of the kids were more than happy to take an hour off from regularly scheduled classes to play some floor hockey.
The first session was attended by kids in kindergarten through the second grade. Most had never even held a hockey stick. Upon receiving tutelage on the basics, they were turned loose to scrimmage. There were two teams on each side that alternated playing time. One thing they picked up right away was that when the whistle blew for their squad to take the floor, they eagerly raced into position.
The second session of the afternoon was conducted for third, fourth, and fifth graders. The vast majority of them were neophytes, but a few possessed real hockey skills gained from being members of a Peak to Peak Hockey Team. Regardless of their experience level, every one of them had a blast.
If your child would like to participate in the Avalanche’s Learn to Play program, go to learntoplay.nhl.com. or peaktopeakendurance.com for more information.