Chuck Kobasew - Minnesota Wild:
Growing up in the Okanagan afforded me many opportunities for summer hockey development.  I spent countless hours throughout my childhood attending the Okanagan hockey school. It was an experience that I looked forward to every summer.

From learning the basic skills to meeting my NHL heroes, the Okanagan Hockey School allowed me to foster a passion for the game of hockey that allowed me to live my dreams in the NHL.

Nowhere else did I learn more about developing as a young hockey player through the professional instruction and guidance from the enthusiastic instructors.  OHS taught me that first you must love the game of hockey, and if you do, anything is possible through hard work and dedication. 

I, like many other NHL players, will send my kids to the Okanagan Hockey School. 

I hope to see you all there again next year.

 

Duncan Keith - Chicago Blackhawks:
I wouldn't be here today without the help I got from OHS Head Power Skating Instructor, Rob McLaughlin, who helped improve (my) stride using plyometrics, I noticed improvements on the ice right after just a week with Rob. It was like I had gained an extra step or two that I didn't have before.

 

Dear OHS,
We have been coming to your Penticton camp for the last 3 years and have enjoyed every minute. Our son, Jack, has the best time there and always takes away new skills to master over the winter.
James Harvey

Dear OHS Instructors and Staff,
I just wanted to say thank you for another outstanding week at camp. My son attended the last session in Kelowna this year (age 11) and once again had so much fun and learned a great deal. He encountered a small injury (lace bite) while at camp, and the care and concern from the instructors was incredible. This was our second year at the OHS in Kelowna and my son is already begging to be registered for next year, and I am sure we will be back.
So thank you again, and I hope all have a great winter and fantastic hockey season and we will see you next year.
Kindest regards,
Lana Leach

To: International Development Tournament organizers,
I just wanted to thank you for the great time that my son had at your camp. He went with team California and he had the time of his life! My son couldn’t say enough good things about how he was treated at your hockey school. You are truly running a great program. We couldn’t be there with him but felt very safe having him there with all the great people that make your school run so smoothly. He said that he would go back to Canada in a heart beat! Thank you for all the wonderful training and good fun.
Yours truly, K.O.

Gordie Howe - "Mr. Hockey":
When the Walton's were looking for a hockey school for their son Kory, they asked family friend Gordie Howe. Gordie recommended Okanagan Hockey School and, with an endorsement from such a well-respected hockey legend, it wasn't a tough decision to make the two-day drive to Penticton.

To: Okanagan Hockey School,
I would just like to thank you all for providing Jack with the best weeks hockey has had.

He has only been skating since October 2001 and only been Hockey training since the end of December 2001 and I have noticed a great improvement over the last week in his skating and his stick handling, etc. and it is down to your excellent coaching, which is of the highest standard.

It’s just a shame it has to come to an end. We wish you all a safe journey home and once again thank you for all your effort and excellent coaching over the last week.

Thank you,
Tina & Jack Ball
Essex, England

Burt Bacharach:
When Burt Bacharach (popular singer/songwriter) was looking for a hockey school for his son he asked Wayne Gretzky. Wayne said, "Okanagan Hockey School is the best camp in Canada." "And when Wayne Gretzky says it's great, you can't go wrong," stated Burt.

Brian Burke - General Manager Toronto Maple Leafs:
"I have been sending my kids to Okanagan Hockey School for 10 years and I have been instructing here for 11 years. I could send my kids to any hockey school in the world and it would be simple - one phone call - but I've chosed Okanagan Hockey School. The number one thing that parents should look at when choosing a hockey school is the quality of instructors and the curriculum that is being taught. This is the best school in terms of what is beign taught and who is teaching it. I would encourage any boy or girl to come and participate in the program."

Andy Moog - 17 Year NHL Veteran:
"I am a past student and have been instructing for 24 years at Okanagan Hockey School. Every year I instruct at OHS I learn something new that I put into use in my game. The commitment level at OHS is a great or greater than any other school. The comprehensive programs on and off the ice as well as the supervision and instruction these players get at OHS are unparalleled.

For a young goaltender to come and experience the different levels, the different challenges and the different skills of players from around the world, is an eye opening experience. Along with that you get a great deal of position specific teaching."

To: Okanagan Hockey School
We had enrolled our son for the 1st time in the OHS goaltender program, I just wanted to compliment your programs and your instructors on a top notch school. As I play the game as well, I also learned a lot from watching my son’s daily instruction. I was impressed with the level of attention that the goalies received and the instructor to goalie ratio, also the teaching aids made it easy to grasp the concept of each skill. My son has been to numerous hockey schools in the past and being a goalie, he never has received the attention and instruction required to learn to play the position until now.
I will continue to have these new skills applied to my son’s game and practices, we will be back next year. Please give a pat on the back to Gavin Armstrong and Charlie Rasmussen as they had a huge impact on my son and they impressed me as well. Good Job and Thank-you for a wonderful experience.
Richard and Kevin Bouchard – Quesnel, B.C.

Kevin Dineen - Columbus Blue Jackets:
"I basically grew up at Okanagan Hockey School as a student, junior counsellor and now as an instructor. Okanagan Hockey School is a great chance for me to remind myself of the basics which are very important for all players - from beginners to pros."

 

Wayne Fleming - Assistant Coach, Edmonton Oilers:
“There’s no question this is the place to be from an instructional standpoint. The quality and professionalism that’s displayed is beyond compare. As a hockey player it gives you the chance to meet players from all over the world. It’s definitely the place to be.”

 

Brian Burke - General Manager, Toronto Maple Leafs
“I think it’s outstanding, I really do. I’ve been sending my kids here since 1988, and when you’re an NHL General Manager, you can send your kids to any hockey school you want, anywhere in the world, and I’ve been bringing my kids here since that time. They have benefited so much from the quality instruction; the fact there is a set curriculum and the dedication of the staff. It’s terrific.”

 

Mike Commodore, Carolina Hurricanes
“From my experience, I worked a couple hockey schools when I was in college, and I think the main difference here is the amount of instructors. There are more then enough instructors which is very important, as far as kids getting individualized attention.”

 

Bob Nicholson - President, Hockey Canada
“They really work on the individual skill development, they play games each night in the International Development Tournament and all the kids want to play games. They really get to work on their skills and their life skills. Living in a dorm for two weeks straight, there is a lot of character building. I know that my son and all the kids have had a great time.”

 

Michael Barnett - Former NHL General Manager
“It is competitive, but it’s a wonderful coaching staff here, there are so many former NHLers as instructors that they are emphasizing play hard but have fun, and that’s really the right approach.”

 

Al Coates - Former NHL General Manager
“They’re having an absolute ball here, the parents are having a good time and they are learning something at the same time. What’s going to happen here is these kids are going to be friends for life.”

 

Dany Heatley, San Jose Sharks
“Anyone that’s ever played or plays in the NHL right now, has been where these kids are right now, going to summer camp, shooting the ball around, playing street hockey. So it’s fun for me to come back and sign some autographs and talk to the kids and just be around them. I think it’s great, this camp especially. They have dryland, are on the ice a lot, they have a shooting center and you learn a lot of great things at this camp, so it’s cool to be around.”