HARBORCENTER Academy of Hockey announces youth clinics

Eleven sessions available at First Niagara Center between March 25 and April 12

HARBORCENTER VP and Director of the Academy of Hockey Kevyn Adams have announced 11 Academy of Hockey development clinics will be offered to travel players at the AAA and AA levels from March 25 through April 12. Included are two sessions dedicated to goaltenders on April 10, and a girl's-only clinic on April 12. All sessions will be at the First Niagara Center.

"We are excited to have this opportunity to jumpstart our programming to support youth hockey development," Adams said. "While HARBORCENTER won't officially open its doors until the fall of this year, the academy team has been anxious to start working with young players from around the area. This first round of clinics will enable us to showcase the best-in-class instruction our expert coaches will be providing year-round once HARBORCENTER and the academy are fully operational."

Dates for the clinics available to both boys and girls, who are currently playing AAA and AA, are as follows:

March 25 - Squirt

•Squirt Minor (2004) 5-6:15 p.m.

•Squirt Major (2003) 6:30-7:45 p.m.

April 2 - Pee Wee

•Pee Wee Minor (2002) 5-6:15 p.m.

•Pee Wee Major (2001) 6:30-7:45 p.m.

April 10 - Mite

•Mite (2005 and 2006) 5-6:15 p.m.

April 10 - Goaltenders

•Squirt and Pee Wee (2001-04) 6:30-7:45 p.m.

•Bantam and Midget (1995-2000) 8-9:15 p.m.

In addition, the dates for Bantam boys and Midget AAA boys, as well the clinic for girls only, follow:

April 11 - Bantam

•Bantam Minor (2000) 5-6:15 p.m.

•Bantam Major (1999) 6:30-7:45 p.m.

April 12 - Tier I and Tier II Girls

•12U - 16U (1997-2002) 1-2:15 p.m.

April 12 - Midget AAA

•16U - 18U (1995-98) 2:30-3:45 p.m.

Clinics will be open to all who are playing at the AAA or AA level during the current 2013-14 season. All participants will receive 75 minutes of on-ice instruction from the academy coaching staff, teachers, including Adams, Marty Biron and Adam Mair, and others. The cost per session is $50, and each player will receive a HARBORCENTER Academy of Hockey jersey. Free parking will be available in the First Niagara Center ramp.

Biron, goaltending director at the academy noted, "This will be the first chance for me to work with my fellow net-minders and begin to share my perspectives on how to further grow and develop their skills. I'm very pleased we are able to run two dedicated sessions to reach a wider audience of players at the position."

Adams added. "While we look forward to accommodating all who are interested in what the academy will offer starting later this year, these clinics, and hopefully a more extensive camp this summer, give us an opportunity to make evident the focus, commitment and expertise that we will be making available to raise the level of play and accelerate the development of hockey talent in the region. While this is just a small taste of what we will be offering, the staff and I are very eager to get started!"

Interested players should register online at www.HARBORCENTER.com. Each session has a limited number of spots available.