Lucas Miller's High Performance Hockey paid its first visit to the Kivalliq when it touched down in Coral Harbour for a week in February.
Miller, the head instructor and a former pro player, said he couldn't believe how cold it was inside the community's arena. Yet it was an incredible experience and he's very grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such great kids, he said.
It was also a pleasure to get to learn about Inuit culture during his visit, he added.
“Everything about the experience was unbelievable,” said Miller. “We totally enjoyed the experience and then we were contacted by the Rankin Inlet organization about two weeks ago.
“They want me to come and do a camp sometime in the future when the season starts back up again. So we're looking forward to working things out with them and paying Rankin Inlet a visit.”
Miller said about 75 kids in total took part in the Coral Harbour camp.
He said they would do hour-long sessions every day with small groups from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
“I also have a goalie instructor, Bujar Amidovski, who came over with me. He's an NHL draft pick and a great goalie instructor, as well.
“We were on the ice for five different sessions with the players and one session with the goalies every day.
“I told the kids we'd have some sort of a game and a fun structure on the last day of the camp and, during the week, I was very impressed with their work ethic. They were listening well throughout the camp.
“They were well-behaved, very disciplined and they listened to instructions very well. Whatever we wanted them to do, they were very open to it. That was actually a nice breath of fresh air for us.”
Miller said the camp had five different age groups and focused predominately on skills development in the areas of skating, puck control, shooting, passing, speed skills and conditioning.
He said the natural physical condition and strength of the Coral Harbour players was quite impressive.
“There were a couple of kids — a 2010 (born in) kid and a 2013 kid — who were dynamite. They were very skilled and well-conditioned. It's so unbelievable to see because I know they don't have the same opportunities as the kids back in Toronto, Nova Scotia or Alberta, for example.
“So, to see how good some of these kids were was just unbelievable. It was a real testament to what they obviously do on their own, whether it's off the ice or whenever they can get on the ice.
“The only thing some of them have to work on is more game situations. They look great doing the skills and drills, but they have to work more on game situations and decisions.
“It was a pretty successful camp overall, and we're certainly looking forward to coming back to Coral Harbour again. They have some talented kids who could have really bright futures ahead.”
