News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By LeRae Haynes

Young local hockey players had a unique and inspiring experience this past week when Canadian NHL player Laurie Boschman and CHL player Stacey Bauman spent the week in Williams Lake for Christian Hockey Camps International. Organized by Marnie and Keith Brenner, the camp welcomed 30 kids ages 9-16 from around the province to hone both their skills on the ice and their interest in Christianity.

(Photo by Keenan Leary: local camp director Keith Brenner is pictured here with CHL great Stacey Bauman, who played with the Oklahoma City Blazers and was named Central Hockey League Man of the Year.)

Each summer Hockey Ministries International (HMI) hosts approximately 2,000 of young hockey players at Christian Hockey Camps International. World-class hockey instruction is presented alongside a solid Christian gospel message by a caring and dedicated staff. Each camp, unique to its locale provides a fun and engaging atmosphere and is a special week of development and learning in the lives of each of these young athletes.

Local Director Marnie Brenner said that the kids were absolutely enthralled to get to spend the week with Stacey Bauman and Laurie Boschman, a Canadian retired professional ice hockey centre who played in the NHL for 14 seasons for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators, a team in which he was captain of in his final NHL season.

“They were completely inspired by Sean O’Connor, goalie coach from Merrit,” she said. “One of the reasons we wanted to bring this camp here is that our son is a goalie and I wanted him to get the best training possible.”

This is the second year that Christian Hockey Camp has taken place in Williams Lake, and Marnie said that kids this year came from places like Victoria, Vanderhoof and Kelowna to participate in the unique experience.

“It’s a different kind of camp—there is a Christian theme, and the kids enjoy dry land activities, ice time, recreation, various sports and meals together,” she explained. “It’s such a positive experience: the kids loved it and they want to come back next year.”

The kids and the pros stayed in the Columneetza Secondary School dormitory, with a cook and a nurse. “The location was excellent: it’s convenient and we got to use the fields,” she continued. 

“This was a great combination of serious hockey and complete fun—a total experience that includes physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Some of the kids didn’t come from a Christian background, but they all learned things like great values and personal growth.

“The pros will talk about their relationship with God and the enormous benefits of having Him in their lives as hockey players and as people.”

Matthew Brenner is a 15-year-old local hockey player who was on the Tier Two Timberwolves team and plays for the Williams Lake House League. He said that the pros were the greatest he’s ever met at a hockey camp—making a great impression on Matthew and his friends.

“I found the goalie training incredible useful—they showed me some great stuff to try,” he said. “There is a certain way I hold my glove, straight up and close to my body. They showed me that if I hold it further out I can respond more quickly, either up or down. My new stance works a lot better.”

He said that there are a lot of excellent analogies in hockey that reflect Christian beliefs. “When the goalie gets a penalty a player has to serve it for him and that’s like Jesus: he served the ultimate penalty for us,” he explained. “Seeing hockey as an example helps the kids at camp understand Christianity better.”  

He said that this was one of his favourite weeks of the year. “I’ve gone to a few hockey camps in my life—this one is the best.”

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