June 24, 2021 Â |Â Lynchburg, Va.Â
Youth hockey players ranging from Mites (ages 7-8) to Squirts (9-10) and Pee Wee (11-12) learned hockey and life skills from members of the Flames’ ACHA DI, II, and III teams.
Players and coaches from Liberty University’s ACHA Division I, II, and III men’s hockey teams hosted the first of four summer day and overnight hockey camps at the LaHaye Ice Center this past Sunday through Tuesday, for Mites, Squirts, and Pee Wees (ages 12 and younger).
“It’s been really nice to have camp back to pretty much normal again, having the overnight campers,” Flames DIII Head Coach Josh Graham said. “A lot of energy this week having the little guys here and having all of the (ACHA Division I players) help out either as counselors or on-ice guys, it’s been a lot of fun.”
Graduating forward Quinn Ryan, the Flames’ first ACHA DI men’s hockey Player of the Year this past season who is looking to turn professional, returned to serve as a counselor and on-ice clinician.
“I’ve been doing this for the past few years and it’s a blast every year,” Ryan said. “Unfortunately, last year, they couldn’t stay overnight. This year, we’re back in the dorms and it’s a lot of fun with the younger group. They’re full of energy and definitely keep you on your toes, but we had a great time. The kids had a blast, counselors had a blast, all good things.”
Ryan remembers the summer sessions when he picked up his hockey skills and learned life lessons in and around the rink. As one of the Flames’ spiritual leaders this past season, he made a conscious effort to share his faith with the young players as well.
“I went to some different hockey camps when I was little and you always remember your counselors, whether they were bad or they were good, so you want to leave a lasting impact on these guys in a positive way, in hockey, for one, and in their spiritual life, also,” Ryan said. “A lot of these guys might only be hearing a little bit about the Gospel through this one week, so you want to make the most impact and be intentional with your relationships.”
Graham said the players serve as role models and can have a significant impact in the lives of the youth, who are in a formative stage of their hockey careers.Â
“I think it’s a really big part of the camp experience for the guys,” Graham said. “For the kids coming in and seeing Liberty DI hockey players, whether it’s on the ice just skating around or just being with them off the ice, it’s a real source of encouragement for them, gets them excited and gives them something to look forward to as they grow older.”
DII men’s hockey Head Coach Ben Hughes challenges his players to develop their gifts as teachers of the game and spiritual mentors through coaching and discipleship, while showing future Flames what life as a hockey player is like at Liberty.
“It’s really cool, not just for the kids but even for the counselors, for the players themselves, too,” Hughes said. “Having that kind of mentorship and getting them deeper, not just on the hockey side of things, but whether it’s in chapel, worship nights, just having conversations at lunch, too, is huge. We think that dynamic and relationship is one we want to keep protecting.”
This coming Sunday through Tuesday, the Flames will conduct their Bantam/U16 camp in Session 2 before hosting the Liberty Hockey ID Camp for U18 and Junior players from July 11-13. Finally, from July 18-20, Lady Flames women’s DI and DII players and coaches will stage a Girls Camp for Mites, Squirts, Pee Wees, Bantams, and U16 and U18 players.
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Video by Hayden Robertson/Club Sports Video & Media Assistant
