Applications now open for Jr. X-Men spring development camps

ANTIGONISH, NS – X-Men hockey head coach Brad Peddle is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the Jr. X-Men spring development camps. The six-week camps will be available from April 9 to May 30, 2021 in U7, U9, U11, U13, U15 and U18 classifications.

The basic objective of the X-Men hockey development programs is to provide the opportunity for highly motivated players to prepare for advanced hockey programs. This is accomplished by bringing together a group of aspiring players who wish to focus on quality development under the direction of highly qualified and experienced coaches. 

"The success of our program over the past decade has been significant," comments Coach Peddle. "The Jr. X-Men development model is a proven method of preparing young hockey players to play at the next level, focusing less on travel and tournament play and more on core skill and development. The basis of our program is in tune with the long-term player development model put out by national and international hockey programs."

Graduating athletes of the Jr. X-Men development program include World Junior champion and NHL Ottawa Senators Drake Batherson, current AUS X-Men student-athletes Blade Mann-Dixon and Declan Smith; and current QMJHL players Colten Ellis, Jacob Hudson, Jacob Stewart, Sean Stewart and Logan Chisholm.

To ensure quality instruction and maintain a competitive level of play, the Jr. X-Men development program utilizes an application process to ensure players are put in a position to be successful and get the most out of the program. We require players to have a good skill set and be competing on a rep team. Interested athletes are asked to submit an application form via their appropriate link located at www.goxgo.ca/juniorxmen. Successful candidates will be contacted in a timely fashion if accepted into the program. 

The Jr. X-Men camp costs (HST included) are as follows:

• U7 (2015-2016) $250
• U9 (2013-2014) and U11 (2011-2012) $650
• U13 (2009-2010) and U15 (2007-2008) $800

The U18 (2004-2005-2006) development camp costs $600 and will begin April 16-17 weekend, going through until the end of May.

Off-ice conditioning is mandatory for all age groups. Detailed schedules will follow, but the U7, U9, U11, U13 and U15 development camps will run on six weekends and include 12 hours (U7 only), 36 hours (U9/U11/U18) and 45 hours (U13/U15) of on-ice training, along with 18 hours of off-ice training for camps between April 9 and May 30, 2021. All programs will be under the direction and supervision of the X-Men Hockey staff, with on-ice mentoring by current X-Men athletes. 

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For more information, contact:

Brad Peddle, Head Coach, X-Men Hockey
Zack MacQueen, Assistant Coach, X-Men Hockey                                        
[phone] 902.867.3316                                                                                      
[email] xmenhockey@stfx.ca