The role hockey can play in developing youth stretches far beyond skill development.
Case in point is the relationship struck between P3 Sports and the Overseas Agency, which has continued to grow since the first group of 55 Czech players came here in the spring of 2022.
This week, 77 young Czech players arrived in Cochrane—the largest group yet—for a month of hockey training, developing their English skills, and forming friendships with local youth.
“What they’re trying to do is build young men and women through hockey and teach them more than the skills of the game and more than just English, so it’s a good fit,” said Ryan Hilderman of P3 Sports.
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Filip Barus, of the Overseas Agency, says the players are primarily settling in this week, but after that, they’re going full tilt.
“There’s going to be lots of ice time, a lot of off-ice training, English sessions, video meetings, and mental coaching, so it’s going to be hard on them for three weeks, and hopefully it helps them,” said Barus.
He said they would bring more if they could. Applications opened at the beginning of September and were sold out by the end of the month. In the end, 140 players sought a spot and they kept a waiting list in case any became available.
Their visit coincides with P3 Sports’ third annual International Hockey Expo.
“We mix up all the Canadian kids and all the kids who come from overseas in Europe to play on different teams. It’s another opportunity to create new friendships, play some hockey and have some fun,” said Hilderman.
Miroslav and Filip Barus created the Overseas Agency in 2016 and became familiar with Hilderman and P3 Sports before the pandemic. Overseas had been sending players to Calgary and it was recommended they connect with P3. After exhibition games and team-building activities in Cochrane, a more formal relationship was pursued—only to be initially stifled by the pandemic.
Flash forward to now, in addition to their June contigent, Overseas brought their first group of girl players here in March.
Cochrane area players get to check out the other side of the pond. In April, P3 Sports sent U13 and U15 teams to play in some tournaments and see the sights. Over the May Long Weekend, a U18 team travelled overseas for the second time.
“A lot of the kids who are billeting here end up coming with us over there, so they get to see that side of the world and usually meet up with their billet brothers and sisters over there, which is cool to see,” said Hilderman.
All of these opportunities for youth wouldn't be possible without the support of the community, said Hilderman and Barus.
“Neither of us can offer an experience like this without the support of the hockey community and the community of Cochrane. The billet families, SLSC, local businesses offering discounts for billet families and players. It’s amazing to see everyone come together to make this happen. Love to see how hockey brings us all together like this every year.”
For the first time, P3 Sports also arranged for a 35+ men's recreational team, "The Rusty Mitts" to play in Prague.