LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – We are in the heart of the college hockey offseason, but that hasn’t stopped the Skatin’ Rebels from hitting the ice and giving back to the next generation of hockey players in Southern Nevada.
More than 30 kids were on the ice at America First Center on Wednesday, for the first of six clinics hosted by the UNLV hockey program.
“Nick and I sat down together and put together a practice plan, we’re going to mimic a UNLV hockey battle practice and just show them a day in the life of a UNLV Hockey player,” explained Skatin’ Rebels Head Coach, Anthony Vignieri Greener.
“We’ve done skill sessions in the past, we’ve always done good numbers and this year we really just wanted to give back to the community, like we talked about,” said Greener. “I think hockey is growing and if you can give back in any way you can, this is where you start; you start with younger kids, next week we’ll have older kids, and it gives them a little taste. We bring some of our players out and show them the way.”
“It’s awesome, pretty cool having high level players coaching me. It’s just awesome to be here right now,” said UNLV hockey camp participant, Camden Payne. “I’m hoping to get better because one of my goals is to be in the NHL when I’m older and I want to get better at anything I can do better at.”
Each practice lasts an hour with the coaches focusing on the offensive and defense end through competitive, small area games.
“For one, for us, it’s about giving back to the community and two, I think it’s beneficial for any kid to get as much as ice as they can in the summer,” said Greener. “They’re not with their team, so they get an extra hour of ice with some UNLV players on the ice, giving them some direction and coaching, it only benefits them for the regular season.”
There will be five more clinics, starting later this month and running through July 31st. For more information, visit this website.
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