My son played hockey with (NHL Defenseman) Mattias Ekholm!

NHL Defenseman Hangs out with kids 7-14 to teach them about hockey.

So over the weekend The local Ice Center hosted their annual fundraiser for Make a Wish Foundation. It is a clinic for young hockey players to get a chance to get out on the ice with one of the Nashville Predators players. Learning from some of the best in the business, and being on the ice with them is something that is a pretty big deal for dad, (who can't skate), let alone my ten year old, hockey crazed, son!

(Aiden with Colton Scissons and Mattias Ekholm After the skating clinic)

The last two years the clinic has been run by James Neal, who, unfortunately, departed for the expansion Las Vegas Golden Knights. I recall last year seeing the posts about the clinic and thinking it was a little too expensive, and maybe when he was a bit older. My then nine year old didn't see anything about the clinic, so we let it pass on by.

A year later, lots of regret with that decision as Aiden over the course of the season decided James Neal was his favorite player. We even had to buy him a Neal 18 jersey after Neal had already been selected in the Expansion Draft. Oops. Chance to meet his favorite player and skate with him gone? Bummer.

But this year we were going to do it. The price isn't too bad when you consider it comes with two tickets to an early season game. I hate that the games they give us tickets to are always on school nights, but it is still a nice perk.

The first half of the clinic was spent outside with some of the coaches from the Ice Center. Half the group (the younger group) was in on the ice with Eks, Filip Forsberg, and Calle Jarnkrok. Aiden's group worked on some stretching and off ice exercises that players use to work on their training. Aiden actually took this seriously fr once, went home and imitated what he had been taught! That's new.

(Aiden does a cone drill while Colton Scissons watches)

Finally, we get in on the ice. I had seen Forsberg and Jarny walking out to the ice, so I was excited to see them skating with Aiden. Unfortunately, they had split duties. Those guys did the first session, and Colton Scissons was on with the older group. You can do a lot worse than the guy who provided most of the offense in game 6 of the Western Conference Finals.

So an hour of on ice time, doing some drills and getting to engage with Colton and Mattias. Pretty cool stuff. At one point Aiden was doing a cone drill and Colton came up behind him and snagged his jersey pulling him back some. Aiden didn't even react, just kept skating like nothing was happening. It struck me at that point as he skated by with a huge grin on his face, my kid has no idea that skating with NHL players isn't something that happens to everyone!

(Facing off with Colton Scissons)

And then Aiden went down to do some passing with Mattias Ekholm. Then it changed from a passing drill to keep away. In the video below, Aiden is the kid in yellow socks who comes into the view a couple of seconds in. He has no fear of going up against one of the best young defensemen in the NHL!

A great time was had by all. Aiden had his usual house league game the following day and, while he did not score a goal, he did put forth one of the better efforts he has had this season.

Below is a link to a news article the NHL.com site did about the clinic and Mattias' involvement with it if you are interested.

https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/mattias-ekholm-hosting-charity-youth-clinic-a-no-brainer/c-290970932

Thanks for stopping by! With NHL season right around the corner, things sure are getting exciting around here!!!