Smiles Everywhere At 2016 Kids Camp
(Story courtesy Marc Smith, DiscoverMooseJaw.com) A number of Moose Jaw Warriors are back in town a week before the start of training camp as they lace up the skates and help teach the next generation of Warriors about the game.
Kids between the ages of five and 13 are taking part in the fourth annual Warriors’ Kids Camp at Mosaic Place. They’re getting the chance to learn from current Warriors, including Brett Howden, Zach Sawchenko, Tanner Jeannot and Ryan Gardiner.
For the Warriors, the camp serves as an opportunity for them to interact with their biggest fans in the community. Gardiner said there’s some benefits to them as players to coming in early to help out with the camp.
“It’s always fun to come hang out with the little kids, teach them some stuff and they teach us how to have fun on the ice, we’re always smiling out there and having a good time, so it’s nice to get out there and loosen up before everything gets serious,” said Gardiner, who’s entering his third season with the Warriors.
The Warriors are a week away from opening up training camp and for Gardiner, he said the camp is a nice way to relax before they start the rigors of a WHL season.
“We come out here, worry less about camp and just focus on having fun for a little bit,” he said. “We have our own skates as well after the camp each day, so it loosens us up and gets us ready for training camp.”
Six-year-old Hayden, who was sporting some new goalie pads for his practice on Tuesday, said he’s enjoyed having Sawchenko teach about how to play between the pipes.
“He’s been teaching me about T-pushes, shuffles, but I already knew that stuff,” he said.
He added that his favourite part has just been getting to stop pucks before the season starts.
The camp will continue on Wednesday and Thursday with the kids hitting the ice throughout the day.
The Warriors helping out with the camp are also using the camp as a tune-up for their training camp, which gets underway next week.
Gardiner is going into his 19-year-old season and will be leaned on to provide some more leadership this year on the back-end.
He said he’s excited about the season ahead.
“It feels like just yesterday I was coming here for my first camp and now I’m going into my 19-year-old season,” Gardiner said. “Definitely going to try to set up this year and help show the younger guys the ropes of the league, my confidence is definitely way up heading into the year.”
In 2015-16, Gardiner posted a career-high 16 assists, but couldn’t find the back of the net. He played in all but one game during the year as well, playing 71 regular season games and 10 more in the playoffs.
“Summer went good, it went by fast, but I really pushed myself this offseason, skating with Jean Pierre, he really pushed me this year, helped with my mistakes and helped me improve,” said Gardiner. “Also in the gym, I gained ten pounds over the summer, that’s what the team wanted me to do, so I feel like I’m ready for this season.”
The Warriors open training camp next Thursday at Mosaic Place. Their annual Black and White Game will be held next Sunday.
