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Independence, MO —
Austin Withers, an 18-year-old senior-to-be at Truman High School, is certainly getting his share of sports this week – on the diamond and the ice.
He played for the winners in Tuesday night’s Independence Post 21 14-10 American Legion victory over the Blue Springs Rod’s Sports A’s after participating in the Missouri Mavericks Complete Hockey Skills Camp at the cooler-than-cool Independence Events Center.
“I love both sports,” said Withers, a powerful right wing, “but it’s a lot cooler in here.”
Withers has participated in previous Mavericks camps and said the game is becoming more familiar with each camp that he attends.
“The stuff you used to really have to work at comes more naturally now,” he said, as he watched the 5- to 10-year-old campers on the Community Ice. “I wish I could have gone to camps when I was 5 or 6. I’m just lucky to be able to go now, because I really enjoy this.
“My cousins all play hockey, so I’m glad I have the chance to play now.”
This week’s camp is the third this summer for the Mavericks, who will offer the final camp in August.
“We were lucky this year,” said camp director and assistant director of hockey operations Simon Watson, “because there weren’t any snow days (for area schools) so we were able to get in an early June camp, this July camp and an August camp.
“The most rewarding things about these camps is watching the little guys, who came in when they were 5 or so, and to see how much they have improved.”
The Mavericks began their summer camps following the Central Hockey League team’s first season three years ago.
“We had about 35 kids total that first year,” Watson said. “Now, we have more than 60 in this camp and will have more than 200 or 250 this summer. We’re really excited about creating the opportunity for kids to learn about the game.”
Mavericks coach Scott Hillman, who was busy lacing the skates of his 6-year-old son Gunhar, agreed.
“You see the little guys who could barely stand up on skates when they started a few years ago,” Hillman said, “and now they’re flying around the ice. They’re getting the same opportunities Simon and I got growing up in Canada. We didn’t know what to expect when we started these camps – and now, you look out and see the little guys and girls and then you see the older skaters and it just makes you feel good.”
Austin Withers, an 18-year-old senior-to-be at Truman High School, is certainly getting his share of sports this week – on the diamond and the ice.
He played for the winners in Tuesday night’s Independence Post 21 14-10 American Legion victory over the Blue Springs Rod’s Sports A’s after participating in the Missouri Mavericks Complete Hockey Skills Camp at the cooler-than-cool Independence Events Center.
“I love both sports,” said Withers, a powerful right wing, “but it’s a lot cooler in here.”
Withers has participated in previous Mavericks camps and said the game is becoming more familiar with each camp that he attends.
“The stuff you used to really have to work at comes more naturally now,” he said, as he watched the 5- to 10-year-old campers on the Community Ice. “I wish I could have gone to camps when I was 5 or 6. I’m just lucky to be able to go now, because I really enjoy this.
“My cousins all play hockey, so I’m glad I have the chance to play now.”
This week’s camp is the third this summer for the Mavericks, who will offer the final camp in August.
“We were lucky this year,” said camp director and assistant director of hockey operations Simon Watson, “because there weren’t any snow days (for area schools) so we were able to get in an early June camp, this July camp and an August camp.
“The most rewarding things about these camps is watching the little guys, who came in when they were 5 or so, and to see how much they have improved.”
The Mavericks began their summer camps following the Central Hockey League team’s first season three years ago.
“We had about 35 kids total that first year,” Watson said. “Now, we have more than 60 in this camp and will have more than 200 or 250 this summer. We’re really excited about creating the opportunity for kids to learn about the game.”
Mavericks coach Scott Hillman, who was busy lacing the skates of his 6-year-old son Gunhar, agreed.
“You see the little guys who could barely stand up on skates when they started a few years ago,” Hillman said, “and now they’re flying around the ice. They’re getting the same opportunities Simon and I got growing up in Canada. We didn’t know what to expect when we started these camps – and now, you look out and see the little guys and girls and then you see the older skaters and it just makes you feel good.”
One youngster was so eager to get on the ice that he had little time for a quick conversation.
“I want to skate,” said 6-year-old Cole Elben. “It’s fun. Hockey is my favorite sport. I like to score goals and be with the other players.”
As the kids ran through a series of drills, Hillman and Watson offered encouragement and advice.
“When the kids come to our camps, they are going to get good instruction, they’re going to be coached by staff members who are role models and they they’re going to learn and have fun.
“Sometimes, they learn and they don’t even realize it because they are having so much fun.”
The camp sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include about 2 1/2 hours on the ice, 2 1/2 hours off the ice working on agility, skills and conditioning, and a lunch break.
“We do a bit more core work and conditioning with the older campers,” Hillman said, “and the results we are seeing is pretty amazing. We want to make these camps affordable so any boy or girl in Eastern Jackson County or the surrounding area can participate.”
