Complimentary hockey training initiative welcomes young Canadians to the game

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Ruggles Pritchard has journeyed around the globe through the sport of hockey.

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He has participated in university hockey at Trent, played professionally in Brussels, and been part of intermediate teams across the nation.

He has reached out to introduce the sport to kids in Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet.

At just 75 years of age, Pritchard continues to play two to three times per week and regularly serves as an on-ice instructor, representing Hockey Eastern Ontario, for all age groups at rinks throughout the Ottawa region.

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His current engagement, a project designed to familiarize newcomers to the sport — associated with the world junior hockey championships slated for TD Place in late December and early January — has him excited.

“It’s going to be a buzz, with everything happening,” mentioned Pritchard, taking a moment off the ice to discuss the initiative.

On the morning of Dec. 21, a fortunate group of 30 boys and girls from downtown, aged 5-10 and with no previous hockey experience, will receive complete new gear at TD Place.

For many, this will mark their first encounter with an arena.

That night, they along with their families will enjoy tickets to a pre-tournament exhibition match between Canada and Sweden.

After the excitement from the tournament subsides, the children will dive into the action themselves, receiving six one-hour ice training sessions at McNabb Arena in January and February.

“There is no charge for the kids,” Pritchard explained. “Some come from Afghanistan, Greece, Turkey. Their parents are unfamiliar with hockey. Every participant will receive a lanyard with their photo.”

McNabb Arena’s location, near Percy Street and Gladstone Avenue in central Ottawa, is significant. Besides the financial aspects of hockey, the accessibility of a nearby arena also restricts participation opportunities.

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Pritchard, retired from his role as a teacher and vice-principal at institutions such as Osgoode and Sir Wilfrid Laurier, humorously refers to himself as the “head on-ice guy.”

Regarding the broader scope of managing the various elements linked to this project, he attributes credit to the “brains behind the operation,” Hailey Perreault, membership services coordinator for Hockey Eastern Ontario.

Last December, the International Ice Hockey Federation and Hockey Canada, the two organizations managing the world junior tournament, sought applications for initiatives they would finance.

The HEO proposal won the top award. The IIHF and Hockey Canada will cover the cost of all the equipment, along with a $1,350 subsidy for ice time at McNabb Arena. HEO is responsible for the additional ice rental expenses.

“We aimed to focus on children who have been overlooked,” stated Perreault. “There are numerous barriers to entering the sport, whether financial or social. This program is for kids who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to try it. We feel fortunate to carry out this initiative and to introduce them to hockey.”

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Perreault has gained some insight on that front.

Initially, she found herself on the outside of organized hockey due to the continually escalating costs. She spent countless hours skating on outdoor rinks before she joined her first formal league at the age of 14.

She later played varsity hockey at Carleton University and serves as an official when she’s not at “the world’s best job” with Hockey Eastern Ontario.

There’s another advantage to the initiative.

While Pritchard usually enlists his former hockey “buddies” to assist with his various on-ice clinics, the IIHF/Hockey Canada is stringent regarding instructor qualifications.

All instructors must complete official Hockey Canada training and undergo comprehensive police background checks.

HEO has reached out to students enrolled in physical education programs at Glebe and Ridgemont high schools. These individuals are currently participating in online and on-ice training to secure their full coaching certifications ahead of the upcoming clinics.

“Ruggles recognized this opportunity to attract new coaches as well,” Perreault noted. “It represents a chance to engage a younger demographic in coaching.”

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Perreault states that it can be quite challenging to engage younger coaches in the sport after their own playing careers have ended.

As a result, there may be a significant age disparity between the youth on the ice and a coaching staff that is from several generations prior to those they instruct.

“Coaching is generally an older crowd,” Perreault remarked.

On that note, Pritchard laughs when he’s queried about his current mobility on the ice.

“Well, it’s an excellent way to keep feeling youthful,” he noted. “I work with six-year-olds, and I skate with individuals who are 75. Sometimes it’s a different sort of game.”

kwarren@postmedia.com

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