And for the players and coaches who took part in the Dustin Ernest Hockey Camps Female Prospect Showcase on the weekend, that experience was as awesome as can be.
A total of 58 players from all over the province descended on Barkman Arena for the three-day event this past weekend, and according to Ernest himself, things couldn’t have gone much better.
“It was really good, and just to play games was fun,” Ernest said. “They all got four games each, and you could tell they hadn’t played for a while right at the start, but by the end they were flying out there. And it got pretty competitive, they were whacking and cross-checking each other… everyone misses that competitive part of the game so once they got going it was pretty intense at times.”
That the camp was such a high calibre certainly didn’t hurt the competitive spirit — players were all Under-15 Bantam AA or U18 AAA. Add in the fact they were playing in front of a handful of USports scouts and a host of U18 AAA coaches and it doesn’t take much to find that fire on the ice.
That was the whole plan from the start, said Ernst, especially with the overall lack of such opportunities for players in the province.
“Other than SaskFirst, there isn’t much like this in Saskatchewan,” he explained. “There wasn’t much going on for exposure, so just to get them noticed a little bit was a big thing. Most teams this season only got five or six games in, and you can practice skills and drills all winter long if you want, but it’s not the same. Just getting in game shape is way different than practicing and running. So it was good and nice to see the girls out there showing what they can do.”
The camp also featured a host of elite players acting as coaches and referees. Leading the way was Moose Jaw Warriors coaching assistant Olivia Howe, who took a major role in working with her charges, while Regina AAA Rebels grad and University of Saskatchewan rookie Larissa Bohlken, Notre Dame AAA grad and Dartmouth University defenceman Annie King, Notre Dame AAA grad and University of Regina forward Raea Gilroy and Notre Dame AAA defenceman Ellie Gauvin also worked with players throughout the weekend.
“They coached teams and were just around the girls and helping them out through the weekend,” Ernest said. “It’s great to have coaches and players like that out, they can show the girls what it takes to the next level and that’s all you can ask for.”
Dustin Ernest Hockey Camps plan to offer the same experience for the boys during the July 16 weekend, featuring 110 U15 players from all over the province. Six teams will take part, with a heavy presence from Western Hockey League and Junior A teams expected.
For a look at games this past weekend including interviews by Notre Dame Hounds broadcaster Jamie Neugebauer, be sure to visit Dustin Ernest Hockey camps on Facebook and find them on Instagram.
