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As part of the Nashville Predators commitment to grow and promote the sport of hockey, the Preds Hockey Development staff hosted a youth hockey clinic at Bridgestone Arena on Sunday, March 27. Over 60 squirt and peewee players and goaltenders participated in the sold out clinic.

These eight to twelve year old boys and girls were not only able to skate on the same ice as the Preds, but Wade Belak of the Nashville Predators was a special on-ice guest instructor. Prior to the clinic, Belak took the kids on a tour of the newly remodeled Preds locker room and spoke to them about what a typical day for a Preds player is like from making healthy meal choices, staying fit and how the team prepares for opponents.

The on-ice portion of the clinic was run in accordance with guidelines from the USA Hockey American Development Model (ADM, www.admkids.org). ADM provides age-appropriate guidelines and curriculum to hockey associations across America to help more kids play, love and excel in hockey. On-ice stations were utilized to teach fundamental skills broken down into smaller components in a fun, encouraging environment for both player and goaltender development. Youth players ended the clinic in the same fashion the Preds end their morning skates… in a shootout competition.

Youth hockey players wanting to learn from the pros should checkout the Nashville Predators Hockey Schools coming this summer. Week-long camps are geared towards the beginner, intermediate and advanced players and goaltenders featuring two sessions for ages 4-7 and 8-14. Spots fill up early. For more information or to register, visit nashvillepredators.com/hockeyschool.