The Membertou youth hockey program underway at the community's sport and wellness centre keeps the youth engaged on and off the ice.
“It’s not only about being a good hockey player, I’m trying to teach these kids to be good people,” said Ryan Ginnish, manager and coach.
“It's bigger than hockey, it's about life lessons."
The 38-year-old Ginnish has been involved in hockey all his life and in his early days in Membertou, the rink was his sanctuary — a place where he could let it all go and just focus on the ice. He’s hoping to build that kind of safe place for youth today. He wants to instil structure, mainly no fighting, not to touch other players, to have respect for parents, coaches and other players, and to come ready to learn.
The program got underway about seven weeks ago after Ginnish approached Coun. Craig Christmas, who then brought the request to chief and council and the leadership team backed the initiative.
“You want to make sure your youth have an opportunity in life to excel in whatever they want to do,” said Christmas, 43. “In Membertou we want our youth to excel.”
The program is open to any Membertou youth and they can expect to learn hockey skills like passing, shooting, edging and skating.
Ginnish and Christmas want to assure parents there are safety measures in place. Masks are mandatory when entering the centre, players are also expected to come partially dressed — in hockey gear — up to the waist to limit their time in the locker room and sessions are limited to groups of 10.
“It's an excellent opportunity for your kids to come and learn and have fun,” said Ginnish.
He said it has been great seeing the progression in the kids who come every day.
Mise'l Isadore, 12, and Kingston LaPorte, 11, say they’re both having fun and are learning skills.
“I like playing the sport, it makes me happy,” said LaPorte.
Isadore, who has been in the program from the start, says he’s been learning to keep his head up on the ice as well as other skills.
“Hockey is my life, it means everything to me,” said Isadore.
Christmas says his 10-year-old son Jude has also been involved. He’s watched Jude progress in athletics and says Ginnish and the other coaches have meant a lot. They’ve helped him stay focused and develop new skills.
Christmas said the leadership team will continue to support the youth any way they can. He’s been personally involved in hockey and baseball as a youth and says it gave him an opportunity to represent his community the right way. Now, Christmas is hopeful athletics can help instil positive values in the kids.
“Being on a team builds confidence, it builds experience and it teaches you how to work with others,” said Christmas.
