Warwick Ice Hockey Club holds clinics this summer to build program - School district now recognizes the sport as a club team

Warwick—There’s a new game in town. The Warwick Ice Hockey Club, recently recognized as a club sport by the Warwick Valley School District, is gaining momentum and looking for players of all ages and all experience levels. This summer, the club held a series of clinics at the Skylands Ice Arena on Route 23 in Stockholm, N.J. (there are three clinics left and still open to the public). Mike Davis, the clinic director and a spokesman for the club, said the addition of ice hockey to the list of Warwick sports gives kids another option in the athletic arena. “We are trying to get the word out about this and to let parents know that Warwick athletics has a new sport recognized by the school district that their kids can participate in at the high school level,” said Davis. Kids who play ice hockey in Warwick have played with other town clubs in the past through travel clubs and recreation leagues. Davis wants to get the word out that Warwick has its own club. Now, kids in Warwick can play with other kids in Warwick. “All Warwick kids were scattered all over. We wanted to put kids together,” Davis said. “We wanted to build community spirit and team spirit.” And they are building a program. The club this year had 10 graduating seniors. Still, there are 16 kids on the varsity level team. They are looking for at least four more who are interested in playing at that level, but also are starting a middle school-aged program to feed that varsity club team in the future. “We are building a pipeline of students to continue the program for years to come,” Davis commented. “We currently have close to 30 kids participating (in the clinics) ranging from the kindergarten level through graduated seniors who played on last year’s team.” All grade levels are encouraged to come to the clinics and get their feet wet. And it is not limited to boys. Davis said girls are welcome as well. And hockey isn’t the type of sport that you just walk into and excel. Davis explained that they are happy to have very young kids and older kids come and learn how to play. The team currently participates in the Hudson Valley Hockey League, a league of independent teams. The modified level team will also participate in the league. Players will practice on the ice in Newburgh twice a week and, now that the team is recognized by the district, will use the high school weight room twice a week for strength training and conditioning. The team will play a winter season from October through the end of February in the Hudson Valley Hockey League, then a spring season at Skylands. A booster club has been formed to promote the program. Individuals, families and businesses that make an annual contribution of $25 to help offset expenses will receive advertising at the Booster Club table. For the second year, the club will have a table at Applefest in October. Proceeds from the concession stand at this year’s homecoming football game on Sept. 13 will benefit the hockey team too. So they are getting out there. “We are especially in need of high school players because the team graduated 10 players and we need to fill the void,” Davis said. “Our clinic and coaching staff will work with any kid regardless of their skating or playing ability to bring them along in the sport. We are an inclusive program building for the future.” If you go What: The Warwick Ice Hockey Club will hold three clinics for anyone interested in the club. When: Saturdays, Aug. 16, Aug. 23, and Aug. 30, from 2 to 3 p.m. Where: Skylands Ice Arena, Route 23, Stockholm, N.J How much: $45 for the three remaining sessions Who: Clinic director and club spokesman Mike Davis can be reached by telephone at 986-5872 or by e-mail at warwickicehockey@hotmail.com.