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The annual Justin Williams Hockey Camp kicks off on Monday, July 22, 2019 at the Cobourg Community Centre.
Veteran NHL player and Captain of the Carolina Hurricanes has held the camp for the last four years in his hometown.
Williams is a three-time Stanley Cup champion who earned the Conn Smythe trophy with the Los Angeles Kings.
Director of Scholarships and Sponsorships with the Justin Williams Foundation Chris Post who is good friend of Williams spoke to Today’s Northumberland about the upcoming Camp.
“It was a vision that Justin had and it took a strong group of people to get things implemented to have our first year.”
“To be honest, I think Justin is surprised how it’s become this elite hockey school that it has.”
The Camp takes place starting on Monday, July 22 and runs through to Friday with over 80 players (boys and girls) from ages 8 to 13-years-old from across Canada, the United States and internationally taking part.
“When they’re not on the ice, we’re running different extracurricular activities such as soccer, lacrosse, basketball and golf,” said Post.
“Justin is a big advocate of kids playing other sports and not tying 12-months of the year into hockey.”
“All sports help with hand-eye coordination, team discipline and even individual sports.”
Participants are active the ice and off the ice from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the ages broken into two separate groups.
“It’s a busy week for our participants, instructors and volunteers.”
Post said the instructors lead by Facilitator of On Ice Production John Foley are second to none.
RBC Cup winner Josh Maguire, OHL players Brady Gilmour, Dawson Baker are returning. Joining this year are Landon Trutt (goalie coach), Graham Dickerson and Kallaway Mercer from the OHL.
Each player in the camp will receive approximately 15 hours of skill development on-ice sessions and 12-15 hours of off-ice athletic development sessions.
“It’s great because each of the instructors brings a different dynamic to the players so the kids are learning from different types of players.”
“Each player is put hard to work throughout the week, but each one enjoys being there and has smiles on their faces each day.”
Some of the players have also been participating since the start of the camp.
“Each year we can see the development of the players which the camp has helped them to attain,” said Post.
“Sure it’s a serious hockey school, but there is a lot of fun involved in the camp and we do our best on and off the ice having fun.”
With approximately 60% of the participants coming from across Canada, the United States and even internationally, it brings people to Cobourg to enjoy the area.
“With some of the families travelling internationally to be here it’s certainly helping the local economy bringing families into hotels, restaurants and to show what a great community Cobourg is and what it has to offer.”
Through the efforts of the Camp and the Justin Williams Foundation numerous charities have benefited.
This year the Justin Williams Foundation gave out four scholarships to four students from Cobourg Collegiate Institute and St. Mary Catholic Secondary School (two from each school) totalling $8,000.
The scholarships were awarded to the top students in leadership, athleticism, academics and community involvement which are four things that Justin prides himself in.
The Foundation also donates $10,000 annually to Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto in honour of Grace Bowen. And $5,000 to Smile Train (Cleft Lip and Palate Children’s Charity) along with thousands of dollars locally to other families.
Each year the Camp has donated approximately $30,000.
Post said that his friend looks forward to the Camp each year and giving kids instruction like he was given when he was young.
“He could have this anywhere, but he’s proud of his hometown and there is no place else he wanted to have it and give back to the community where he grew up.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
