HOCKEY FEST: Skills camp, NHL stars hit Frontier
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 9 years, 6 months AGO
COEUR d'ALENE - You won't see Tyler Johnson on the ice on Friday night with the rest of the former and current National Hockey League stars, but you'll get plenty of chances to meet and greet the former Spokane Chief and current Tampa Bay Lightning forward starting today at Frontier Ice Arena.
Johnson, as part of Hockey Fest 2015, will bring his skills camp to Coeur d'Alene today starting at 4:30 p.m. Due to a broken wrist suffered during the NHL playoffs, Johnson is unable to play, but will hold his skills clinic that is open to players from 5 to 12 years old.
"He'll be out on the ice with the kids for sure," Kootenai Youth Recreation Organization president Vince Hughes said. "Fans are going to get to see him a little bit more than last year, which is a good thing. This year, he'll be spending a lot of time with the clinic. He wants to get the word out to kids that there's a option to play hockey in North Idaho and Eastern Washington."
Johnson, who played youth hockey for the Coeur d'Alene Lakers, played the entire Stanley Cup finals series against the Chicago Blackhawks with a broken right wrist, scoring a league-high 13 goals and 23 points for the Lightning, who lost in six games to the Blackhawks.
During the camp, a silent auction will also be held at Frontier Ice Arena, with hats, T-shirts and jerseys, signed by Johnson and other NHL stars.
"There's lot of stuff here for the auction," Hughes said. "It should be a good day for youth hockey in this area tomorrow. There's lots of things for families to do."
The NHL Legends Game - scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. - features Wayne Gretzky, Brett Hull and Brenden Morrow, as well as NHL scoring leader Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars.
"Jamie will be a nice addition to the game," Hughes said. "Moving the clinic this year to Thursday (instead of Friday last year) is going to make everything a little easier on game day."
Tickets are still available for either Arena Seating, Lobby seating or standing room only.
Visit Frontier Ice Arena for ticket details.
ST. LOUIS
Chris Butler, Barrett Jackman, Cliff Ronning, Ty Ronning, Keanu Yamamoto, Derek Ryan, Adam Courtnall, Geoff Courtnall, Justin Courtnall, Mitch Holmberg, Guy Carbonneau, Jade Hull, Jeff Finley, Kelly Chase, Ben Chase, Will Chase, Wayne Gretzky. Coached by Brett Hull.
TAMPA BAY
Tanner Mort, Greg Adams, Russ Courtnall, Tyler Johnson, Brenden Morrow, Tyler Alos, Jamie Benn, Lawton Courtnall, Kailer Yamamoto, Jeff Smith, Max Wutzke, Cam Seversen, Jordie Benn, Kevin Sawyer, Tyler Mort, Jason Greenwell, BJ Leach, Kraig Nienhuis, Sheldon Souray, Ben Adelson. Coaches are Adam Deadmarsh, Will Meldman, Michael Meldman.