Liberty University Club Sports Athletics
Hockey camps reap life-changing rewards both on and off the ice
6/30/2023 1:38:00 PM | Men's D1 Hockey, Men's D2 Hockey, Men's D3 Hockey
A record turnout of more than 250 youth and high school hockey players ranging from co-ed Mites (8-and-under), Squirts (U10), and PeeWees (U12) to boys Bantam (U14) and High School (U16/U18) participated in Liberty University's Hockey Camps over the past two weeks at the LaHaye Ice Center.
Coaches and players from the Flames' Division I, II, and III teams as well as alumni such as former DI forward Quinn Ryan served as coaches and counselors for the various levels of campers. They were divided into teams that trained together and competed against others from their respective age groups in a tournament format that concluded with the Development Camp's 16-and-under and 18-and-under consolation and championship games late Thursday afternoon.
Rising Liberty DIII senior forward Michael Williams was in his third year working with the Liberty Hockey Camps. He enjoyed providing holistic development of the young players, as he will do for the next five weeks at another hockey camp in Maine.
"I've got plenty of experience being with the kids, staying in the dorms with the guys, and it's been awesome," he said. "I have loved every second of it, just being on the bench with the kids and seeing the excitement. You can see how excited they are to just play hockey, because at the end of the day, that's what it is. It should be fun."
"It was really fun," added Jonah Karydis, a 16-and-under defenseman from Tampa, Fla., who was participating in the camp for the fourth time. "It definitely grew my faith and definitely improved my skills, in skating and decision-making, playing and thinking faster (in the games)."
Flames DII Head Coach Ben Hughes, who helped to direct the camp, said this year's groups were dialed in and made the most of their playing time as well as the extracurricular activities Liberty has to offer on campus.
"Kids are exhausted by the end of it, (but) we try to find a healthy balance of a lot of fun and working hard, too," he said. "They were very respectful and a joy to work with."
At least six players between the 18-under and 16-under divisions committed their lives to Christ on Thursday morning, after three days of spiritual discipleship from the coaches, college-aged counselors, and teammates who are already believers.
"We're here in the life-changing business," Hughes said. "We tried to continue to go deep and build those relationships and be discipled … (and) the Lord humbly moved. The counselors make a really big difference (but) we don't need to align the stars, God does all of the work. Sometimes He just wants to use us to present other people the option to be obedient to the Holy Spirit. The Lord's teaching me that."
He said counselors would stay in contact with those who made decisions to follow the Lord.
"Following up, we will be having counselors call them and we try to help them on the practical side, too," Hughes said. "We got them all Bibles today, so we sent them out equipped with a tool and we pray that God can bring other people into their lives where they're at, to pour into them and disciple them and be a part of that process."
Williams said leading the young players closer to God is always a highlight of the camp.
"The best part about it is you get to be who you are and to be a light every day," he said. "It's not always easy, but it's such a blessing to have the privilege to do it. (The 16-under) age group is one that you can actually have intentional conversations with, and that's what makes it easier (to share your faith)."
Hughes, who also serves as Club Sports director of recruitment, said the camp offers an opportunity for young players to get their foot in the door for potential future careers on one of Liberty's three teams.
"We had a little session to talk to them about how they could get involved in the recruitment process of Liberty Hockey," he said. "Just the fact that they're showing up and continuing to come back is really meaningful to us."
This summer's Liberty Hockey Camps will conclude with a session for U12, U14, and U16 girls set for July 9-11.
By Ted Allen/Staff Writer
