By / Dhiren Mahiban
They grew up in two very different hockey communities along the west coast, but Vancouver Giants Jonathon Blum and Evander Kane both have similar philosophies when it comes to attending hockey schools.
“Make sure the instructor has a real good hockey background and is more than willing to work with you individually,” said Kane. “Any hockey school is going to help you obviously, but you want to go to the highest calibre one possible.”
Growing up in Vancouver, Kane frequently attended hockey schools run by his dad.
“I didn’t go to too many hockey schools, but I attended my dad’s camps before the start of tryouts,” recalled Kane. “They were a lot of hard work and I think it’s a good opportunity to get better.”
One of the most important things Kane points to is finding someone who devotes one-on-one time with each individual.
“Me working with my dad, even though there were so many guys on the ice, he was pretty specific with each individual and I think it’s really key that you find somebody like that.”
According to the 17-year-old, hockey schools come in handy just prior to tryouts.
“Most hockey schools run just before tryouts and they’re a real good opportunity to improve your game that little bit going into tryouts and trying to make that team,”
Kane said.
“I think it’s a good way to get better as a player.”
Blum, a Nashville Predators prospect, recalled working a lot on his stick handling along with fellow Californians C.J. Stretch (Kamloops Blazers) and Colin Long (Kelowna Rockets).
“I took up stick handling, did that every summer and during Christmas time,” said the Rancho Santa Margarita native. “I learned a lot. You look at all the Californians – we all did stick handling all the time growing up.”
In addition to playing ice hockey, Blum played roller hockey, which helped add another dimension to his game.
“It’s another asset to sharpen up the skills. Roller hockey is a lot different than ice hockey – it’s more puck possession skills,” said the 20-year-old. “You do that, you take it on to the ice, and it teaches you to have more patience with the puck.” To this day, Blum is appreciative of the coaches who took time to teach him the little things as a youngster growing up.
“If you have a good instructor, go to him – you learn a lot. I thank the coaches that taught me when I was six, seven, eight-years-old everyday; we’re still good friends – you owe a lot to them because they take the time to work with you and have patience, which really matters at this level.”
Both members of Vancouver’s WHL squad recommend attending hockey schools, and when it comes down to it, suggest going to someone you feel comfortable with. |