TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hockey Hits The Street

Tribune photo by JOHN CEBALLOS

Sean Phillips, right, goes to the boards to pick up the ball, while Chloe Jackson, left, and Linda Sanchez look on during a scrimmage. The game was part of a street hockey demonstration for nearly 500 students at Apollo Beach Elementary School April 25.

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOHN CEBALLOS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 3, 2008

APOLLO BEACH - Though summer is on the horizon and the temperature has been steadily climbing, students at Apollo Beach Elementary School were not quite ready to put hockey season behind them.

The school hosted a street hockey clinic April 25 for nearly 500 students in first through fifth grade.

The event was organized by Street Lightning, an off-shoot of NHL Street, which promotes the growth of hockey among kids in 60 National Hockey League and minor-league markets.

"We always have a blast going to the schools and getting the kids excited about hockey," said David Cole, director of fan development for the Tampa Bay Lightning, who was in charge of the Apollo Beach clinic.

Cole estimated he takes part in about 30 street hockey demonstrations in elementary, middle and high schools, as well as recreation centers throughout Florida.

During the Apollo Beach exhibition, Cole quizzed each class about their knowledge of hockey and the Lightning and taught them how to hold a stick and the fundamentals of passing and shooting.

Eventually, he and his assistants organized scrimmages for the students with players swapping in and out ever few minutes to ensure everyone had a chance to play.

The event took place between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., with each grade level enjoying a one-hour session.

Physical education teacher Wendy Smiarowski said the event was originally scheduled for March 21, but was postponed because many students did not attend school on Good Friday.

Although the clinic was delayed, students still enjoyed learning about hockey, a game many students hadn't played before.

"It was an excellent clinic, and I really think it made an impression on all the kids," Principal Jaime Gerding said. "They're still talking about it a few days later."

Gerding said the visit came after a parent alerted Smiarowski about the program.

In addition to passing on their hockey knowledge, Cole and company left a more lasting impression on Apollo Beach Elementary.

Street Lightning - as is the case at all the clinics it organizes - also donated hockey equipment, including sticks, balls, nets and goalie gear, to the school.

As a result, Apollo Beach Elementary has added a street hockey class to its physical education curriculum.

"They donated enough equipment for us to be able to set up street hockey at the school," Gerding said. "The kids are really excited."

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT