To succeed and survive in hockey at any level, a player must commit to training on and off the ice, and must continually develop his or her individual conditioning, skating and hockey skills. The RMU Hockey Academy at the RMU Island Sports Center offers camps and clinics for hockey players of all ages and ability levels.

A skill development camp is offered for players who need to improve in all facets of the game. This camps is ideal for the player who has participated this past season at the B level in PAHL, House or Developmental league, or completed a Learn to Play Hockey Program.

Specialty camps are available for advanced players who wish to improve their knowledge and ability at a specific position or skill.

Players should register for programs where they will skate in the 2010-11 season.

Skill Development Camp

July 12-16, 2010. 9 a.m. - noon, $295

This camp enhances the development of the entire hockey player. The camp concentrates on all skills, from skating, stick handling and shooting to offense and defensive skills and concepts. Each day consists of three hours of on-ice instructions.

Advanced Specialty Camps

Mite, June 14-18, 9am-Noon, $295
Squirt, June 14-18, 1-4 p.m., $295
Pee Wee / Bantam - July 5-9, 9 a.m.-noon, $295

This camp, taught by world-renowned power skating instructor Marianne Watkins and RMU Division I coaches, is designed to maximize a player's skating potential by focusing on hockey-specific skating skills. Each player is instructed in techniques to improve stride length, lateral movement, acceleration, agility and more.  Shooting concepts covered will include wrist shots, backhand shots, snapshots, one-timers, shooting for rebounds, slap shots, fake shots, shooting in stride and using body position to create better scoring opportunities from rebounds, deflections and more.

Each day consists of three hours of on-ice instruction.

Pee Wee, August 2-6, 2:30-4:00p.m., $195

This camp focuses on body contact, angling, pinning, giving and receiving a check, and more. This camp is for players at or entering a checking level of play and is designed to remove fears and apprehensions about body checking. Each day consists of 1 1/2 hours of on-ice instruction.

Mite / Squirt - July 12-16, 1-4 p.m., $295
Pee Wee / Bantam - July 5-9, 1-4 p.m., $295

This camp focuses on the specifics of playing forward or defense. All position players are on the ice together but are spit by position for the first part of the day and will then compete in game situation drills for the second half. Forwards will learn concepts and theories about scoring, making plays, one-on-one play, attacking on the rush and more. Defensemen will learn concepts about defensive zone play, stick and body positioning, net front play, offensive blue line play and more. Each camp is limited to 20 forwards and 15 defensemen.

Mites-Adults, Aug. 2-6, 1-2:30 p.m., $195

This camp covers the fundamentals of goaltending, including stance, angles, followng the puck and lateral movement. It also touches on advanced concepts such as puck handling, butterfly, blocking vs. reacting, recovery and more. This is a great program for goalies of all levels and is run by an expert coach.

Power Skating and Game Skills Camp

Mite/Squirt, June 21-25, 9 a.m.-noon, $295
Pee Wee/Bantam, June 21-25, 1-4 p.m., $295

This camp is designed for the player who wants to receive expert skating instruction and work on puck skills. All elements of the game are covered, including puck handling, edges, shooting and pushing off. Game skills are closely related to power skating, and this camp helps players to understand how to make the two elements work together.

Elite Power Skating

College, Junior and AAA Midget Players Only.
Dates: June, July, August
This program focuses on straightaway speed, first two steps, updated technical efficency, explosive one-leg power, agility, acceration, quickness, lateral movement, transitions and speed tests. You must register for this program in blocks of four classes. Call Blaine at 412-397-4475 for more details.

A 25% discount will be provided for players and immediate family members that register for more than one camp. (Discount will be applied to the least expensive camp).

EXAMPLE: If a player registers for three camps, full price will be paid for the most expensive camp and a 25% discount will be applied to both camps two and three.


Blaine Buterbaugh @ 412-397-4475 or buterbaugh@rmuislandsports.org
Bob Arturo @ 412-397-4456 or arturo@rmuislandsports.org
Marianne Watkins @ 412-397-4468 or watkins@rmuislandsports.org