When they’re not occupied trying to hammer down a playoff spot in the Heritage Junior Hockey League, Cochrane Generals players can be found teaching hockey to entry-level kids every Monday night at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre.
It’s an initiative Generals rookie GM Jacqueline Hurlbert and Cochrane Minor Hockey (CMHA) initiation program coordinator Gord Edward assembled at the beginning of the season.
Kids aged 4-6 being introduced to hockey in the CMHA’s hockey initiation program get expert tutelage from their hometown Jr. B hockey heroes.
On Feb 4, goalie Matt Shawchuk, defencemen Matt Krigel and Craig Packard, and forwards Dan Bunnah, Logan Brown and Sayer McDonald were all on the ice with the little skaters in Timbits sweaters, helping the hockey initiation coaching staff teach the kids hockey basics.
“We wanted a mentorship program for the kids. So with the Generals helping out it’s been fantastic here,” Edward said between training-session drills. “When the kids knew the Generals were coming out, it was such a big rush for them. They were excited to be out here. It’s been fantastic.”
But Edward now finds the kids following the Generals around the rink instead of the hockey initiation coaching staff.
“We’re second-hat, maybe third-hat now,” Edward cracked. “I can’t say enough about how much we appreciate the Generals coming out.
“It’s been a great mentorship program for the kids.”
Hurlbert and Edward launched the Generals mentorship element early in the hockey initiative program in October.
“Gord talked to me about having a couple of players come out for a practice,” Hurlbert explained. “And then we kind of branched off on that long-term and decided it was probably best to do a mentorship program and have the guys skate and get to know the kids.
“These are possibly Generals current or future fans.”
Hurlbert tries to ensure at least a couple of Generals are out every Monday night skating with the kids.
“The players have a lot of fun,” Hurlbert observed as the Generals coached the kids out on the ice. “They’re out here interacting with the kids. The coaches have done a great job running the program.”
She expects the program to grow, anticipating more Generals participation with the little spuds next season.
“I hope to get more of the players out. Find out the schedule at the beginning of the year of all players so we can do a full rotation of our roster.
“It’s been really good. It’s fun to watch these guys have fun with the little kids and then also teach them some skills.”
