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First Shift has been a great hockey program for local kids

Ashcroft parents thank minor hockey organizers and coaches for introductory program.

Dear editor

It’s been a couple of weeks now since our son and about 35 others kids played a brief scrimmage during the second intermission of the Kamloops Blazers game against the Vancouver Giants.  For the kids, their scrimmage was the final event for this-year’s First Shift program - sponsored by Bauer and Hockey Canada, and organized by our local Thompson Cariboo Minor Hockey Association.

First Shift has been a great program for local youth, providing a non-competitive means for kids to improve skating and hockey skills. The local organization of the program was phenomenal in every respect, from the ordering and distribution of equipment, to the assignment of dressing rooms, to the variety and smooth flow of activities at every one of the 12 practices.  All of the players seemed to have a great time, and we couldn’t imagine a more positive way for our son to be introduced to hockey.

A huge “thank you” goes to association president Lewis Kinvig, program organizers Diana Hoggard and Crystal Roberts, and the coaches who worked with Lewis and the kids on the ice! Coaches: Ken Pelley, Mike Rampone, Karl Hansen, Allison Hunter and Gavin Kellington, and Assistants: Bryn Hansen, Allie Aie, Griffin Aie and Hayden Aie.

Donna and Brent Close

Ashcroft