Summer Elite Hockey Camp begins 3rd decade

WASILLA — A hockey mom of three pint-sized skaters, Demetria McGrew appreciates the hands-on attention they receive from coach Eric Troisi and his group of stellar volunteers.

“My kids like coming here and I think they learn a lot,” she said as her two sons took to the ice Monday at the start of the 21st annual Summer Elite Hockey Camp at the Brett Memorial Ice Arena in Wasilla. “That son has been here twice (points at Carson), he just turned 6, and for my other one (Tyler, 8) this is his third time.”

Their older sister, 10-year-old Davi, usually participates in the camp as well, but her age group is full this year, Demitria said.

What sets Troisi’s camp apart is the amount of individual attention and age-appropriate drills designed to keep younger skaters interested, while getting more involved and specific instruction for older players through the middle and high school levels, said parent Luke VanBuskirk.

Not only does VanBuskirk have a pair of sons at the camp — Liam, 6, and 8-year-old Peyton — he’s a former camper himself.

“Yeah, a way long time ago I played for (Troisi),” he said Monday while watching his sons and other young players he coaches. “I remember learning the basics here, learning the work ethic, trying to fine-tune little things with the older age group. With this younger age group, the most important thing to do, and what Troisi does, is to keep the kids moving. You have to keep them busy at this age.”

That he’s now finding himself teaching the game to another generation of VanBuskirks and others who first came to his camp two decades ago makes him aware of how fast time goes by, Troisi said.

“You look back and that time goes by fast,” he said, adding, “it’s hard to estimate” how many players have gone through his camp over the years, but it’s “probably thousands.”

Along with having Luke VanBuskirk in his camp, Troisi also coached him in youth hockey and for a time at Colony High School. He remembers VanBuskirk as one of his favorite players. Troisi said he now sees the same in his sons.

“To tell you the truth, Luke was a great player,” Troisi said. “Peyton is a really great player, too, and Peyton takes after his dad. It’s neat. To me, that’s one of the best things about this now is that (parents) come in and trust you with their kids.”

And while the longtime Valley hockey coach has earned a reputation of running one of the best camps for players ranging in skill level from beginners to high school, Troisi said the real secret is the support he gets from other Valley coaches.

On the ice with Troisi (who will take the whistle as the new Palmer High head coach this next season) Monday was former Palmer High head coach Brad Hanson, Jeff Woolcott and Paul Friese.

“Those guys have been helping me out a long time and they’re really good coaches,” Troisi said.

What keeps him coming back to run the camp each year is the satisfaction of teaching young players the value of hard work and having fun, he said.

“The big thing is seeing a lot of the kids like coming here, and it’s fun seeing them work hard and do things they don’t think they can do, then see them improve,” Troisi said. “To me, that’s the key, that they can realize they can work hard and have fun. That’s why you coach, that’s why I’m a teacher (he teaches sixth-grade math at Teeland Middle School). That’s the gateway to life — you work hard, have fun and get the best results.”

Along with improvements in equipment and technology over the years, youth hockey in the Valley is seeing another change Troisi is pleased with.

“There are definitely more girls that participate each year,” he said. “At the beginning, I only knew one girl who skated, and now over the course of the years there are definitely more girls playing. To tell you the truth, though, I don’t look at them as girls or boys, they’re just players.”

While all the participants are “just players” to Troisi, the success and longevity of the camp is all on coach and organizer Troisi, VanBuskirk said.

“He’s a great coach,” he said, adding Troisi also coached his youth team. “He took us from losing every game to traveling for Silver Sticks and stuff. We were right about these kids’ age, maybe squirts. We went from losing every game in a season to piling up trophies in the trophy case.”

Contact reporter Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.