Vegas Golden Knights to host autographs, photos with Deryk Engelland, and mascot on Jan. 4
By Jen Clancey STAFF WRITER
Youth hockey players will have the opportunity to learn to play, or sharpen their skills in the game starting Sunday, Jan. 4 at the Marty Pavelich Ice Rink in Big Sky. The Vegas Golden Knights team, on their ninth season in the National Hockey League, will lead a five-week clinic, teaching players from ages 4-11 how to play hockey each Sunday from Jan. 4 to Feb. 1. The Golden Knights will also hold a free clinic for players aged 9-13 on Sunday, Jan. 4, at 11 a.m.
For both clinics, players need prior skating experience. Those who registered for the paid clinic for ages 4-11 will receive a full set of complimentary hockey equipment shipped to them ahead of the first session. Participants in the free clinic should bring full gear to use.
Steven Reid, recreation manager for Big Sky Community Organization, the nonprofit that operates and maintains the ice rink, estimates that between 20 and 25 kids are registered for both the five-week session and the free clinic. Families pay $275 for the five-week session with new hockey gear included, which is subsidized by the NHL to keep costs low for participants.
“You know, anyone who’s been around the sport of hockey knows that hockey gear is not cheap,” Reid said. “And to get that much brand new hockey gear out to these kids, that’s huge and hopefully will get them interested in playing the sport.”
Reid is glad to see families signed up for the five week session.
“The fact that we have 20 to 25 kids signed up for that alone means that’s a potential 20 new hockey players in our community right there and the hope is that they feed into the local youth hockey program and continue to grow there with those coaches,” Reid said. The local youth hockey program is organized by the Montana 64’s Hockey Association, which recently formed as a nonprofit.
Sheri Hudspeth, director of youth programs and fan development with the Vegas Golden Knights, reached out to BSCO with the hopes of scheduling the youth clinic in Big Sky to engage younger kids in the sport and reach further audiences for the Golden Knights. From there, BSCO and the Golden Knights sorted out use of facilities and local involvement.
Outside of youth learning, the clinic will also train coaches on how to teach hockey, with local community members Cassie Dietz, Keelan Grupe, Brandon Maki and Jack Murray participating in coaching the clinics, learning practice plans and leading kids throughout the five-week session.
BSCO hopes this clinic can become an annual tradition with the Golden Knights.
“My hope is to not only bring new kids into the sport of hockey, but get some adults interested in coaching and being good role models in that sport for the kids,” Reid said.
From 9-10 a.m. on Jan. 4, Deryk Engelland, a former ice hockey defenseman for the Golden Knights will be at the rink to meet fans and give autographs. Chance, the team’s mascot will also be there as well as Hudspeth, who has more than 30 years in playing and coaching hockey. Reid said Sunday’s events will be a fun atmosphere for families and participants.
