For the second straight year NYSAHA has crisscrossed the state to help players of all ages and skill levels take their game to the next level. This year’s age based recreational skills clinic schedule kicked off in Baldwinsville and wound through Rochester before concluding with stops in Elmsford and Clayton.
The Westchester Skating Academy played host to the East Clinic, which was another opportunity for local players to enhance their skills in a supportive environment. Over the course of three days, players were put through various stations and drills that focused on power skating, stick handling, shooting and much more.
A highlight of these clinics was a Try Officiating For Free event, which was organized by East Section Referee-in-Chief Mark Stewart. Under his leadership and with the help of several veteran referees, aspiring officials gained valuable experience and expert instruction in a hands-on environment. The event was a key opportunity to support the growth of officiating in the region.
Clinic season came to a successful conclusion in Clayton, where local volunteers, including Matt and Jodi Cullen and Chelsea Eppolito, helped spread the word throughout the Thousand Island community, which helped draw strong numbers across all age levels and made it one of the most successful clinics to date.
District Representative Joe Eppolito stepped up to help secure the ice at Cerow Ice Pavilion, which provided the perfect venue for the clinic.
Each session was tailored to the age group, ensuring players at every level gained valuable experience. The support of local volunteers who came out to support the 6U, 8U and 10U groups, especially those who helped run stations, made a huge difference in the success of the program.
“The energy on the ice was palpable with kids eagerly participating in drills focused on fundamental skills like skating, puck control and game awareness,” said Linda Groff, who was the driving force in organizing the clinics in addition to running the on-ice practices.
As was the case at other clinics around the state, the local officiating community stepped up to host another Try Officiating for Free event, which helped new officials get their careers off on the right foot.
“The enthusiasm, hard work and commitment shown by participants, volunteers and organizers have made these clinics the highlight of my year,” Groff said. “Watching the players improve their skills in just three short days and seeing the dedication from everyone involved has been incredibly rewarding.”
Planning for next year’s sessions is already in progress. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest announcements and updates on next year’s clinics.