Summer – for many kids equal with water, heat, free from school etc etc. For about 30 young EHA players, boys and girls came there in all approximately 120 hours of practice on ice as well as 80 hours practice off ice and some played tournaments on top of it. These kids have chosen to participate on 4 EHA events arranged within summer. Let us look at these events little closer…
July 2nd to 11th, Brumov-Bylnice, Czech rep., International Camp A+
The first event in sommer holidays found place in little Moravian town Brumov-Bylnice. They knew European Hockey Academy in this town, as 2 Try-Outs for new Aspirants has been held here within spring 2017. European Hockey Academy returned to this beautiful and very active ice rink after app. 4 months, but this time with development program’s event – Camp A+, targeting EHA’s A+ rated players only.
Focus on as well as off the ice within this 10 days long Camp was divided into couple of themes, where defense activities prevailed. Boys has used many hours to learn and get the right habits when it comes to backchecking, defending the net, blocking the shots and much more.
Body contacts and hits, which are a natural part of ice hockey, has been on the practice schedule too. But before the “sharp” practice on the ice, the off-ice preparation has been completed. And what could be better than couple of american football games? As it shown up – boys could not agree more, and pushing, pulling, hitting, running etc. became quickly a very popular part of training.
But ice hockey is a team sport and the team does not only mean hard work and training together. It also means to know each other, to have a fun together, to rely on each other – simply be a real team, be friends. And because attending players awaits to play many tough games together as a team in the years to come, the team building activities, games or other ‘funny stuff’ were a natural and important part of this Camp.
Another important part of the program of each EHA’s Camp A+ event are, of course, the games. As mentioned above, the high quality and tough ice hockey games are the ones our players are preparing for. And what can be better to prepare for the games than games them selvs? Right? The fortunate circumstances of sharing the ice with another two summer hockey camps during this event – Powerplayers Ota Haščáka Summer Camp and Summer Camp of strong home club in Brumov Bylnice made it easy to arrange couple of friendly games. EHA boys has in played games confirmed the right to carry their ‘A’ or ‘AA’ marks on their jerseys and this EHA team did not find its superior this time.
Very nice moment of this event, which is worth to mention, was surprising visit from one of the shining stars on big ice hockey sky – Tomáš Tatár, one of the frontmen of Detroit Red Wings. As we found out, Tomáš was a guest on the ice in this arena quite often while he’s been recovering after his injury, as it is quite close to his home town.
One can say, that ice hockey is a sport for tough boys and unfortunately, injuries are also part of it, not reserved only to the stars like Tomáš Tatár. Also for one of our tough boys, Tobias ‘Tobi’ Ebener from Esbjerg Ishockey Klub in Denmark, it was the injury, that has forced him to go home 2 days earlier than planned. Cracked ankle did not only mean stop for training on this Camp, but couple of weeks long break from ice hockey at all. (Author’s note: At the time of this post is published, ‘Tobi’ is on the ice and up and running again.)
However, and despite this unfortunate injury, it is quite right to say, that this event has been full of beautiful ice hockey, fun and nice moments for all attendees. And as any other event, neither this one could be completed without all the engaged people, their help and support.
Let us, on behalf of European Hockey Academy, thank to all of them and especially to:
All attending kids for their fantastic effort during the Camp.
Parents and families of all attending players for their support.
Home club – HC Brumov-Bylnice and its president, Mr. Jaroslav Vaněk for their hospitality.
Mr. Zdeněk Ritter for catering, great food and grill.
Mr. Oto Haščák and his Powerplayers for good game.
More comments, pictures and videos from this event are available on our Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1922476064686971/?active_tab=discussion
July 15th to 24th, Brno, Czech rep., International Camp A+ & National Try-out
Second Camp A+ of this summer found place only 3 days and app. 140 km from the first one – in Moravian metropole Brno. EHA staff as well as some of players have moved in the west direction, relaxed for couple of days – and were ready on the ice again. After short hello to new attendees, which most of them already knew each other from the program, the next 10 days of practice began.
It can be called attendees’ special privilege on this Camp, that complete coaches commission has been available for them. All three EHA’s head coaches: Lukáš Hökl, Tomáš Tůma and Daniel Vatne have made their very best to teach boys and a girl everything they could during such a short period of time. And it was great to observe as kids try to absorb as much of it as they can.
The shortage of goalies with certain skills level is a known issue within EHA’s age groups. That’s why it is considered privilege as well, that we could on this event welcome our Norwegian goalie. He has not only contributed to training process on the ice, but as a good friend and nice overall personality to beautiful atmosphere during whole event as well.
Let us, for a minute, go back to this event’s first session on the ice and mention EHA’s little ritual ceremony. The ceremony, where the players, which achieved new, higher rating on one of previously attended events are presented for new jersey marked with their name and new rating. It is happening on the ice in front of all players, coaches and parents. There have been a couple of players going through this ceremony on this Camp and on the pictures bellow are shown some of them. Congratulations to them all.
Exercises during this Camp have been again divided into themes, where skating skills exercises and defense activities prevailed. There was of course place for other activities too, but mentioned ones has been implemented in most of exercises – even through normal drill or playing and fun.
To arrange the practice game for our team within this Camp, we were not as lucky as at last Camp. This time, because of season of the year, there was simply no ice hockey players available around Camp’s venue except EHA. It took little more effort but finally we found the opponent, HMS Select Slovakia, the team getting ready for one of the tournaments, in town called Písek, app. 220 km from Brno. There was nothing else to do – we hit the road and after 3 hours long trip the game was ready to begin. And this game – even the EHA team lost it – was one of the great experiences for EHA players, as they met strong and well prepared opponent.
At last, let us thank to all engaged people, who made this fantastic event possible, especially to:
All attending kids for their fantastic effort during the Camp.
Parents and families of all attending players for their support.
All personel of Hokejová hala dětí a mládeže venue, specifically Mr. Fadrný and Mrs. Kiliánová.
Hotel Bobycentrum, specifically Ms. Roučková, for their hospitality.
All personel of Restaurant at Hokejová hala dětí a mládeže, specifically Mr. Bukai.
HMS Slovakia team for a great game.
More comments, pictures and videos from this event are available on our Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1922476064686971/?active_tab=discussion
July 28th to August 5th, Brno (CZ) & Bled (SLO), International Trip A+
Break after previous Camp A+ was not very long – only 4 days – and next event was on. This time we talk about very first event of type International Trip A+ and first big tournament for its attendees.
Preparation camp found place in well known arena in Brno, Czech republic and was followed by one of the largest tournaments for youth ice hockey players in Europe – CCM Invite Europe 2017, which found place in Bled, Slovenia.
Continue reading about this event in Events calendar section on:
International Trip A+ (CCM Invite Europe, Bled)
August 24th to 27th, Brno (CZ), International Trip A+
Last event of EHA’s development program in Summer 2017. Previous Trip A+ to Slovenia was followed by another one – this time to Czech republic, to Brno. Preparational camp as well as tournament, annual Hockey Cup of Mayor of Brno, found place in Hokejová hala dětí a mládeže in Brno. Again. The same venue, EHA players have spent so many hours within the summer. And fantastic bronze placement at the tournament can be considered a nice ‘Thanks and See you soon’ to it.
Continue reading about this event in Events calendar section on:
International TRIP A+ (Hockey Cup 2017, Brno)
