Iqaluit-based hockey camp ready to take on young players

Nunavut Stars Hockey Camp director Jesse Mike has helped run the program since its start in 2002, when she first took part as an on-ice volunteer. (PHOTO FROM NUNAVUT HOCKEY STARS, FACEBOOK)

The Nunavut Stars Hockey Camp in Iqaluit is set to take on youth hockey players of all ages, Aug. 11-15.

This marks the 10th summer of an ever-growing program, which is ready this summer to host at least 120 players throughout Nunavut, free of charge, between the ages of five and 18.

More than 40 volunteers run the camp. Director Jesse Mike is among them. She has seen the camp grow from small beginnings in 2002, when she helped out as an on-ice volunteer. The camp was interrupted for just one summer due to lack of ice.

“We started out very small,” said Mike, who was then in her late-teens and possibly the best female hockey player in the territory.

“We had 40 to 60 kids and it was only on-ice, and there wasn’t as many volunteers.”

The camp has since grown into a program with more off-ice activities, including sessions on fitness, nutrition, and team-building, she said. It has also benefitted from the expertise of high-calibre professionals over the years.

The first was Mike Pelino, a professional coach who helped start the program in 2002, followed by several big-name coaches and players.

These have included Stanley Cup-winning coach Mike Keenan, Hall of Fame defenseman Paul Coffey and fellow National Hockey League players Wade Redden and Brad May.

Even Wayne Gretzky’s father, Walter, helped out one summer, Mike said.

Women’s hockey star Gillian Apps has been a regular in recent years, she said, but cannot attend this summer due to training commitments for the next Winter Olympics.

“All of our coaches coach are at a pretty high level,” Mike said. “None are considered celebrities.”

This year’s final complement of coaches and trainers, both on and off-ice, are still to be confirmed, she said.

First Air is the camp’s top sponsor. “They’ve been a huge partner from the get-go,” Mike said. “Without them this camp wouldn’t be possible, especially the calibre that it’s at.”

As in previous years, the airline has offered to fly two players from each of Nunavut’s 25 communities to Iqaluit for the camp, free of charge.

Players must submit their names for the tickets, which will be decided in a random draw.

All players must have their own place to stay in Iqaluit. Those who can fly themselves to Iqaluit are “totally welcome,” Mike said.

The director also credits volunteers and local sponsors for the hockey camp’s growth and success.

“We have a core group of people that have volunteered for years,” said Mike. “Obviously we welcome new ones. Especially it they’re willing to work all day long with the kids, they’re totally welcome.”

Parents are usually heavily involved, Mike said, but the camp can always use added help from drivers, accommodation for players from outside Iqaluit, and food preparation.

In recent years, a little more than half the players are from Iqaluit, while others come from communities outside the capital.

For a chance to fly to Iqaluit for the camp free of charge, players must submit their names to Jesse mike by July 29.

For more information and to register, see the camp’s page, Nunavut Hockey Stars 2012, on Facebook.