The hum of skates on ice and the laughter of young hockey players have filled Affinity Place this week as the Estevan Bruins’ 2025 Hockey School kicks off. From the smallest U7s to the competitive U13s, the camp is giving young athletes a taste of elite-level coaching, directly from the Bruins themselves.
For Nicole Lajambe, the camp has been more than just a hockey school, it’s a chance for her son to grow both on and off the ice.
“He’s not from Estevan and didn’t know any of the other kids,” Lajambe said. “It’s great for him to be in different environments and be around different kids and coaches. By the end of the day he’s exhausted, but he can’t wait to tell us what he’s learned.”
On the other side of the boards, Bruins players are embracing their role as mentors. Rorey Elson, working with the U9 group, says the days are carefully structured to build skills in every area.
“We start on the ice, making sure their pushes are right so they’re quick when the season starts,” said Elson. “Then we head to the Power Dodge for some games and hand-eye drills with tennis balls. After that, we finish with a workout around the track to build strength for battles in the corners.”
Keeping kids motivated through multiple training blocks can be challenging, but Elson says the key is knowing what excites them.
“The kids love being on the ice and in the gym, so we use that to our advantage and keep pushing toward the next session,” he explained. “It’s just awesome having all these kids come out and support what we do, hopefully they’ll go back into their seasons and shine.”
About the Bruins Hockey School
The Estevan Bruins’ annual summer camp runs in two sessions:
-
Week 1 (Aug. 11–15): Full-day and half-day programs for U7 through U13 players, with small group training to ensure personalized feedback.
-
Week 2 (Aug. 18–22): Focused skills camp for U9, U11, and U13, offering more one-on-one instruction.
Every participant gets a Bruins camp jersey and coaching from the team’s staff and players. Registration was capped at 30 skaters and 4 goalies per age group, making for an intimate and high-energy training environment.
As the week wraps up, the smiles on young faces, and the proud looks from parents, are proof that the camp is about more than skating drills. It’s about connection, confidence, and community, ensuring Estevan’s hockey tradition remains as strong as the Bruins crest on every jersey.