Monday, July 13, 2015 World-Spectator - Moosomin, Sask. 21 Brett Clark teaching his skills to the next generation BY JULIA DIMA From the small town rink in Wapella to an 18-year-long pro- fessional hockey career in the NHL and AHL, most of Brett Clark’s life has revolved around the game. Now, Clark has retired from playing pro hockey, and is using his skills to help the next genera- tion of young players improve their hockey skills through a hockey camp he started up called Clarks Power and Performance Hockey School. “I just like to teach the kids and give them the same opportunities I had when I was young. I went to hockey school in Whitewood where you had Brad McEwen and Garry Carson and Dennis Scott running big hockey schools down there every summer, and I remember going to those,” explains Clark. “It’s just about people taking the time to help us kids get better in our games, and I think that’s something we don’t see enough of anymore.” Growing up in the rink his par- ents ran in Wapella, and having NHL roots in his family, Clark inevitably fell in love with the game at a young age in Wapella. “That was basically our hang- out—in those small towns dur- ing wintertime, it was so cold, the only place you could hang out was the rink, so I think that is why a lot of good players come Photo courtesy of Candace Clark out from that area of Canada, be- Brett Clark working with a group of kids in his Clarks Power and Performance hockey school. Clark has hosted cause they spend so much time at the rink, so it’s good exercise and three camps so far, one in Florida, and two in Colorado. good fun when you’re young, and hopefully you can make a ca- nowadays to make it to the next es, weight trainers, and hockey through his career. He says he’s perhaps next year. Now that we reer of it,” Clark says. “Growing step, when you put that jersey coaches throughout my career. received excellent attitudes from have something set up here, it up in a small town, you always RQIRUWKHÀUVWWLPHDQGVWHSRXW Now I can put a lot of it together the kids in the camps so far. would be something I would dream of playing NHL someday, WKHUHIRUWKHÀUVWUHJXODUVHDVRQ and educate young . families “They pay attention and are really enjoy doing, going back and fortunately it worked out for game—it’s quite a feeling of ac- about what it is really all about,” excited to have someone who has home and providing some of my me. It starts when you’re young, complishment,” Clark says. Clark adds. “If I can help the kids been there over the years. The wisdom to the kids around there. you have that passion and drive Now, Clark continues to do have fun and get them a little bit kids are sometimes just out there We’ll see if we can track some ice and you have to be willing to put player development for the Colo- better, a bit stronger, that’s what I having fun, as long as you make and time down, and see if I can in the hours in order to make that rado Avalanche, and helps coach am all about.” it fun and you’re teaching the set something up,” Clark says. next step.” his son’s hockey team, but he was Clark keeps the camps smaller, kids the proper skills, it doesn’t For Clark, seeing talented Clark played his Junior A ORRNLQJWRÀQGZD\VWRKHOSNLGV to ensure there is enough one- matter who you are. They all hockey players continuing to hockey in Melville and received with their hockey skills in the on-one interaction with the kids. have a blast, there is always come out of the area and go on a scholarship to play at the Uni- RͿVHDVRQ +LV ZLIH &DQGDFH The camps are targeted at kids as smiles on their faces, and that is to play AAA, WHL, NHL, and versity of Maine. From there, he recommended he start up a camp young as novice age to bantam, all I care about at the end of the overseas hockey makes him feel was drafted to the Montreal Ca- for kids. and so far he’s held three week- day,” Clark says. proud to have come from a hock- nadiens, and then played with “I love teaching kids, and I’ve long camps, one in Florida and Though he now calls Colo- ey-strong community. Team Canada for a season. After had a lot of people tell me near at two in Denver, Colorado. rado home, Clark and his family His advice for young hockey that, he started a long career play- the end of my career, ‘oh, you’re The camps have both on-ice de- travel back to Canada each year players who are building their ing in the NHL and AHL system, going to be a good coach some YHORSPHQW DQG VRPH RͿLFH GH- to visit family, and looking to- careers or dreaming of an NHL playing over 500 NHL games, day.’ Because I like to educate the velopment, and Clark has former wards the future, now that he has future is to keep pushing on all and playing with the Canadiens, kids on what it’s all about,” Clark NHL goalie Peter Budaj helping established the hockey camp and levels of the game. Tampa Bay Lightning, Atlanta DGGV´,W·VEHHQDJRRGÀUVW\HDU as a goalie coach and Chris May, plans to continue it, Clark says he “All the advice I have is never Thrashers, Minnesota Wild, and so far. We got it up and running a who has coached athletes in the hopes to hold a hockey school in give up—no matter where you Colorado Avalanche. month and a half ago, the actual NHL, NFL, CFL, and more, help- WKH:DSHOODDUHDRQHGD\WRRͿHU play, someone is watching, so no “You look back on those days hockey camps got going. ing as a strength coach at camps. local kids in his hometown the matter what you are doing, you now, and think, wow, I actually “It’s been good from where I Along with the practical train- opportunity to learn as well. have to go out and give your best did make it, and all the work came from and the experiences ing, Clark says he likes to teach “I think I am going to look every time you step out on the DQG KRXUV , SXW LQ SDLG RͿ DQG I have and education I got from the kids about the hockey world and see if we can maybe set up a ice,” he says. WKH VDFULÀFHV WKDW NLGV PDNH skating and conditioning coach- and the life lessons he’s learned hockey school or camp up there, Garmin GPS Glasser’s FROM TV Service $19999 OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY 9 A.M. TO 5:30 P.M. • MOOSOMIN, SK • (306) 435-3040 • WWW.GLASSERSTV.COM • WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GLASSERSTV 22 The World-Spectator - Moosomin, Sask. Monday, July 13, 2015 Ag News APAS looks to future opportunities for agriculture The Agriculture Producers Association of Saskatch- CanFax representative, Brian Perillat, will note future food industry. ewan (APAS) is holding their mid-term meeting in Sas- factors that may impact the cattle market after a year of “Last crop year did not meet many farmers’ and katoon on July 21 to hear presentations and discuss the record prices. Current and future international grain ranchers’ expectations and the current crop year to date future of grain marketing, the beef sector, international markets are the focus of Chuck Penner’s presentation has its challenges,” says Hall. “Yet, farmers and ranch- trade, social license, farm lending and taxation. while Brad Michnik of the Saskatchewan Trade and ers are making current adjustments to ensure that next “Farmers are optimists and are constantly looking Export Partnership (STEP) will discuss the expansion year they are well positioned to take advantage of any WR HQKDQFH WKHLU EXVLQHVV RSHUDWLRQV E\ ÀQGLQJ QHZ of Saskatchewan grown and manufactured products future opportunities. Farming and optimism go hand- markets, technologies, and alliances,” says Norm Hall, destined for other countries. Social Licence, presented in-hand, and 2015 APAS Mid-term will reveal positive APAS President. “APAS Mid-term speakers will be by Shelly Jones with the Ministry of Agriculture, will opportunities to realize long-term business outcomes.” identifying future opportunities to strengthen their provide a review of the growing relationship between APAS Mid-term is open to the public and is being businesses, retain and enhance their trust with con- farmers, ranchers and consumers to ensure that the ag- held at the Saskatoon Inn. To register visit the APAS sumers, and understand some of the hurdles that farm- riculture industry is sustainable and remains in align- website at www.apas.ca. ers and ranchers may encounter in future years.” ment with expectations of all parties involved in the WANTED R.M. of Moosomin No. 121 R.M. of Moosomin No. 121 CULVERT TENDERS DRAINAGE TILE Round Hay Bales TENDERS Contact Bob at The R.M. of Moosomin is accepting tenders for Prairie Livestock, numerous culvert installations and replacements to The R.M. of Moosomin is accepting tenders for the Moosomin, SK be completed for 2015. installation of 1,300 feet of 10" drainage tile located at N-29-14-31-W1. The municipality is requesting submission of 306-435-3327 equipment and labour rates on a per hour basis.