I know of no better way to get ready for 2009-2010 season than to enroll in at least one or more weeks of Brenda and Phil Levesque's Junior Prep Hockey Camp. This camp is by far and away one of the best summer hockey camps. I had the pleasure to meet Brenda and Phil a couple of years ago at Global's in BC. I spent time talking to them and to some of the players that attended Junior Prep Hockey Camp previously. I also saw Phil this year at Globals in Burnaby too. They'll also be at Globals Las Vegas, I encourage you to talk to them and if you got the time, sign up for a week or two for the camp, you'll come back a different player.Junior Prep Hockey Camp is located at Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. They use the Port Alberni Bull Dogs BCHL facility. The camp lasts three weeks. Week 1 is specifically for Goalies and Defensemen. Weeks 2 & 3 are for anyone. Be forwarned though, the camp is physically grueling. There are two 75 minute on ice sessions and two 60 minute off ice sessions per day. A common camp comment is, "don't take the top bunk, you'll be too tired to climb up to it." It's not a summer fun camp, it is what it is - a preparation camp for Junior hockey.
Besides skills and training, "Prep Camp" offers seminars to the participants and gives players to exposure to many coaches and scouts. This camp attracts coaches and scouts from across North America to not only view the participants but participate in the program too. Sure, some of you US "boo birds" will say it's in Canada, but in reality coaches talk to coaches, they network. If you excel here the word will get out whether in Canada or the US. Several BCHL & AJHL coaches lead and assist with the practices.
The cost is very reasonable for a full-time boarding camp with this kind of quality coaching and training - $750 CDN for a week (all meals & boarding) for the Goalie & Defenseman camp, and $850 CDN a week for weeks 2 & 3. If you figure in the US - Canadian dollar exchange it works out to be even less. You can sign up for a single week or multiple weeks. And, it is easy to get there. Prep Camp will pick you up at the Nanaimo ferry terminal and take you to Prep Camp. So all you got to do is get to Vancouver, BC and ride the 2 hr. ferry to Nanaimo.
While I was at Globals in Burnaby I spotted Wranglers D-man Josef Chase talking with Phil about returning to Prep Camp in 2009. Josef had nothing but praise about Phil and the Prep Camp experience. He said it was probably the hardest but best two weeks he's ever had at hockey. He couldn't wait to return.
Finally, Phil and Brenda are "hockey people." Phil & Brenda are the owners of a Canadian Jr. B team and have been involved with hockey all their life. You can see the sparkle in Phil's eye and the pride in his voice when he talks about "the boys" success as a result of Prep Camp. If you want to get in the best shape prior to the Wrangler Open Camp, my suggestion to you is to sign up for a week or two at Junior Prep Hockey Camp. It just might change your season.
You want more information about Junior Prep Hockey Camp? Please go to their website at http://www.prepcamp.com/. In particular visit the description of the Prep Camp Program and the Testimonials. Give 'em a "look and see." I think you'll be impressed.
