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Phantoms promote ‘Hockey for Health’ at Dobbins
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Phantoms player Alex Gacek (left) offered a challenge to Dobbins fourth-graders Cailor Sundstrom (left), Mia Gajdos, Kailyn Brown, and Abbie Shoemaker. If their team didn't win a goal-shooting contest, the girls were asked to do 10 jumping jacks or sit ups.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Dobbins fourth-grader Ally Anders (center) practiced her shooting skills during her Feb. 27 gym class with the Youngstown Phantoms.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Youngstown phantoms athlete Soren Jonzzon practiced passing with fourth-graders at Dobbins on Feb. 27.
By SARAH FOOR
It’s not every day that athletes can share the secrets of their sport with fans. However, on Feb. 27, Youngstown Phantoms hockey players Alex Dahl, Soren Jonzzon and Alex Gacek visited Dobbins Elementary to share their hockey knowledge.
The players’ visit is part of the Phantom’s year-long “Hockey for Health” initiative, a program that teaches the importance of healthy living while also giving players the chance to share their expertise in hockey with local students.
During their visit, Dahl, Jonzzon and Gacek took over a day of Dobbins gym classes and hosted a hockey intensive, focusing on necessary skills in the sport.
Dahl handled a hockey puck relay, teaching students the importance of depending on teammates, while Jonzzon taught passing and Gacek showed students how to shoot goals.
Ashley Brindle, director of game day operations for the Phantoms, offered a helping hand at Gacek’s station and appreciated seeing the excitement of the Dobbins students.
“We’re teaching a lot of necessary basic skills today. The Phantoms athletes, although they’re on skates and moving when they practice, use these same drills. It’s great for the kids to hear that practice makes perfect, whether you’re just starting out, or a professional player for the Phantoms,” Brindle said.
The trio kept things interesting by introducing a bit of friendly competition. Students were divided into teams at their relay, goal and passing stations, and whatever team lost a timed challenge had to do 10 sit-ups or jumping jacks. However, the losing teams didn’t seem fazed by the extra activity, and were active with smiles on their faces.
“We love to see the kids having so much fun with it,” added Brindle.