Future Players Make Memories at Steel Youth Hockey Camp

By JASON LOWENTHAL

Part of the mission of the Chicago Steel organization is giving back to the youth hockey community and helping all levels grow. One of the more popular events to reach this goal is the Youth Hockey Camp directed by Steel coaches, players, and front office staff. In its seventh year, the Youth Hockey Camp is designed to develop the hockey skills of aspiring youth players.

“The Youth Hockey Camp definitely keeps our brand out there and the image that we want to uphold in the community where we’re helping develop skills,” said Steel Director of Business Operations John Montalbano. “That’s the whole goal of the Chicago Steel and the league itself is to develop the skills of the players.”

The camp is run Aug. 5-8 and offers a full day (8:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.) of activities. Kids are on the ice for at least two hours each day with their coaches and players. In addition to getting top quality on-ice instruction, the camp allows kids to get out into the sun and participate in a variety of activities to help develop coordination skills. Kickball, soccer, and wiffle ball are just a handful of the games kids get to play. For second-year center John Ernsting, it is an interesting experience acting as a coach instead of a player.

“It’s a lot different,” said Ernsting. “It’s fun to attract kids to the Steel and have them look up to us. They get to learn from people that have been in their position before.”

“It feels good giving back to the younger kids and helping them try to get to the level we’re at right now,” added defenseman Connor Yau. “They’re getting better at hockey being able to get experience and have fun with us and the coaches.”

On the final day of the camp, kids will conclude their on and off-ice games and will also have a barbeque to look forward to. In addition, kids receive a camp jersey and a Steel Prize Pack.

While the Steel Youth Hockey Camp is one of the bigger events of the year, the Steel also give back to the community in many other ways.

“We try to get to community events at least once a week,” said Montalbano. “In the summer we do fairs and festivals where we’re out there with our logo.”

One event during the season is “Project Care,” in which players go to classes and work with students each week on anything ranging from learning how to read, to math flash cards, to instructing gym class.

“With our players going into youth hockey communities throughout the year, that keeps the exposure there and allows us to grow as an organization,” said Montalbano.

For more information or to contact the Chicago Steel about coming to your community, please visit chicagosteelhockeyteam.com.