While Swift Current is in the midst of 57s baseball fever, across town the hockey bug is starting to bite.

Hockey’s future is gathered at Fairview Arenas for the Swift Current Broncos Crescent Point hockey school. The youngsters are getting some high quality training including time on the ice with members of the Broncos like Kaden Elder.

“Just helping the kids in Swift Current is always an awesome thing,” Elder said. “The young hockey players here look up to the players. As long as we can help and have fun with them it’s the least we can do for them.”

Sophomore forward Tanner Mole also made the trip from his Manitoba home to be a part of the school.

“It was just a good opportunity to come help some kids out,” Mole said. “It’s always fun helping with some kids who want to learn. There’s some good times and good laughs.”

The key message is to enjoy the game.

“Just let them know to have fun all the time and work hard,” Elder said. “This camp is about working hard and learning new things.”

Hockey has become a year-round sport for those playing at a high level. Once Swift Current’s WHL season ended in April the off-season work began .

“Lots of weight time,” Elder said. “Lots of skating and training. I was in Edmonton for a few weeks for camp. Just a lot of hard work getting ready for the season… my explosiveness and my skating (is) why I went to Edmonton.”

 “I wanted to focus on getting better all-around,” Mole added. “Working just to make sure I’m the best shape I can to help me gain on last year.”

While players are so focused on making gains during the summer it is also important to find a work/life balance. For Elder his weekends were a chance to reset and relax.

“Skating and training every day and having weekends off is nice,” he said. “More of a relaxing time to re-focus. The days off are nice.”

Both players could benefit from the graduation of three overage players and the potential start of professional careers for Lane Pederson, Glenn Gawdin and Max Lajoie. The door is open for returning players to take some of those top minutes.

Elder hit a career high with 15 goals last season as the former first round bantam draft pick showed he has top line potential.

“I think I just need to grab my opportunities and work with them,” Elder said. “Having those spots open is a big thing. If I can contribute more this year it is going to be awesome for me and the team and hopefully get us some more wins.”

After spending his rookie season in and out of the lineup, Mole is attempting to earn a regular shift as he matures.

“I have to go out there and be confident in my abilities,” he said. “I know I can help the team in any way I need to. I just have to be confident out here. Last year was a good learning year for me. This year with the stuff I learned I think I can build on last year and be a more improved player on the team.”

The Broncos were the talk of southwest Saskatchewan in the spring as they knocked off Moose Jaw in the first round and took the top ranked Regina Pats to seventh game in the second round. They could taste a conference final before Regina ripped it away. That experience will motivate this season’s team.

 “Having a tough loss in game 7 last year really gave us a wake-up call,” Elder said. “We battled and worked hard last year. I think everyone is excited this year to come back, do the same thing and just take it this time.”

The hockey school runs for the rest of this week. The Broncos start main camp on August 23rd.