Carey Price might be Drew Pitre’s favourite hockey player, but the 10-year-old has no intention of playing nets after his six weeks in the Canadian Tire First Shift program ends.
“I’d rather be a player like on defence,” said Pitre at the recent First Shift welcome event in Stratford. “I wanted to try to play because it looked like fun.”
Part of the welcome event had the kids receiving their hockey gear after professional fitters demonstrated how to wear it.
Pitre’s father Chris heard of the national program that introduces six to 10-year-old children to hockey through his brother-in-law and suggested it Drew, who is already in jiu-jitsu. And Drew got on board
“He’s up for it. He was small growing up, but he just wanted to give it a go. His skating isn’t bad for the amount that he’s done it, backyard rinks (and such),” said Chris. “I think it’s a great way to go.”
And Chris gets it should Drew take to hockey and early morning practices become routine for the Stratford family.
“Yeah, gotta do it for the kids,” he said with a laugh.
The six-week program in P.E.I. is a joint effort between Hockey Canada, Canadian Tire, Hockey P.E.I. and the Pownal Minor Hockey Association. It’s one of 150 organizations across the country running the program. Since its inception in 2014, 4,800 families have taken part. Kids try the game in a safe and fun environment and if they like it can register with their home associations the following season.
The kids get on the ice Monday in Pownal in the first of the six on-ice sessions. The $199 fee includes full head-to-toe gear including skates, expert fitting and parent education. Hockey Canada created the on-ice teaching that includes skating, passing, shooting and puck handling drills.
One of those families, the Soutars of Stratford, enrolled Ava, 10, for similar reasons to Pitre’s, simply as a low-cost chance to try the game first.
“I wanted to play hockey before I got into atom to see if I’d like it. I’m a little nervous, but really excited,” said Ava, who admitted her skating needs work. “It’s OK. I don’t want to fall on my knees.”
On the web at www.firstshift.ca.
