AdventHealth Center Ice Hosts Lightning’s Youth Hockey Camp, in Wesley Chapel by Steve Lee
That’s right, girls too. Wesley Chapel’s Ben Maronn, 12, took the three-day camp with his 7-year-old sister Nora.
“I try to tell her where to shoot,†said Ben, a goaltender for the past two seasons.
Jeff Maronn said his daughter was inspired while watching American gold medalist Kendall Coyne race against National Hockey League players during the all-star game activities in San Jose, Calif.
Emilee Runnels, an instructor who plays for the Florida Women’s Hockey League, welcomes young girls to the camps. After all, she knows first-hand what they are dealing with.
“We want to show them that hockey is a fun sport,†she said. “Hockey’s a girl’s sport too and it shouldn’t be so intimidating. I think the Lightning have a good program to get girls into it.â€
Instructors at camps throughout the Tampa Bay area have included Tyler Johnson, the team’s fourth-leading scorer last season, former Lightning defenseman Jassen Cullimore, who played on the 2004 Stanley Cup champion squad, and Mathieu Garon, an ex-Lightning goalie.
The goal of the camps for youngsters from ages 5-15 was simplified by Garon, who said, “It’s getting them to have fun playing hockey and learning the game.â€
Mark Ruiz, who plays hockey in the adult league, watched his son suit up as a goalie for last week’s camp. Skyler Kasoff, 9, has played hockey for one year. Ruiz and wife Michele Kasoff, also have a daughter Hayden who has just started playing hockey. The 7-year-old figure skates as well.
“It’s good for them to be out there, it’s the challenge,†Michele Kasoff said.