Connecticut Hockey Academy - Summber Camp

This week the International Skating Center of Connecticut is hosting the first ever, Connecticut Hockey Academy Summer camp. The dates are August 19^th – the 22^nd and feature a terrific coaching staff that really cannot be rivaled in the Hartford, Connecticut area. Through the connections of Bob Crawford, owner and general manager of I.S.C.C., we have established a four person staff that will provide their expertise on and off the ice this week. The purpose of this week’s blog entry is to make you more informed about who will be coaching your children this week if attending one day or the whole week of camp.

First, from right here in Simsbury, Connecticut, Tim Joncas, Westminster Prep School head coach. Tim has been serving as Westminster Prep Schools head hockey coach for seven years and has produced N.H.L. caliber talent. Coach Joncas, trained Tommy Cross, Simsbury born and raised, for three seasons before he signed with Boston College and now plays for the Providence, Rhode Island Bruins, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Boston Bruins. In addition, Joncas coached 2013 Stanley Cup Champion Ben Smith of the Chicago Blackhawks. In his playing days, Tim Joncas compiled 75 points: 22 goals and 53 assists for Wesleyan University and later Trinity College.

Second is, Pat Boller, the active assistant coach of the Hartford Wolf Pack, the American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Rangers. Coach Boller has served in the New York Rangers organization for now nine years as both an assistant coach and Director of Operations. Boller played for SUNY Potsdam where he served as an assistant captain for the team. Upon graduating Boller joined the coaching staff of Manhattanville College where the Division III team won the E.C.A.C. Championship three years straight.

The third coach is, Ken Gernander, the active head coach of the Hartford Wolf Pack. Gernander played in 14 A.H.L. seasons and the final eleven with the New York Rangers affiliated team in Hartford, Connecticut. Gernander served as captain for the Wolf Pack for ten years and won the Calder Cup, as the A.H.L. best team in 2000. Gernander amassed 347 points for the Wolf Pack and owns the franchise record for most games played and most playoff games played. Finally, Ken Gernader was originally drafted to the Winnipeg Jets in the fourth round of the 1987 N.H.L. entry draft.  

Lastly, Kevin Maxwell will be the fourth coach this week at the Connecticut Hockey Academies Summer Hockey Camp. Ken is the Director of Professional Scouting for the New York Rangers of the N.H.L. Maxwell, has been a scout for the following National Hockey League teams: Dallas Stars, New York Islander and the home town Hartford Whalers for the 1994-1995 season. Kevin Maxwell knows firsthand what it takes to make it from a youth hockey player through the ranks and to skate on the world’s most famous arena ice, Madison Square Garden.

If you missed the first day of camp, no worries! Come out tomorrow morning starting at 9:00am and you can pay day-by-day! There are two ice sessions, one off-ice session and lunch every day! So strap on your skates and come get coached by some of the best coaches around!