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Ice Hockey Spotlight:
Philadelphia Flyer Alumni Al Hill and Ron Hextall Teach Summer Hockey School at Flyers Skate Zone at Bethlehem August 23 - August 29

Tuesday, August 17, 2004

By Claudio Oliveira
Flyers Skatezone Marketing Coordinator

Philadelphia Flyers alum Al Hill and his son, Jarrod, are teaching a week-long ice hockey school, "Hilly's Hockey School," at the Flyers Skate Zone at Bethlehem (320 East First Street) from Monday, August 23 through Friday, August 27. Aspiring local players from the Lehigh Valley will be given the opportunity to build the skills necessary to become a successful hockey player. Long time Flyers goaltender and current Director of Pro Hockey Personnel Ron Hextall will serve as a special guest instructor.

The five-day program is designed to take players to the next level by providing over 12 hours of on-ice skill instruction, as well as dry land training, recreational sports, and classroom instruction. In an effort to allow students to benefit from a low instructor to player ratio, the camp will be limited to 18 forwards, 12 defenseman, and four goaltenders for each age group.

Interested hockey players must call Jarrod Hill at 610-625-4774 to secure a roster spot for the camp. Cost of the five-day session is $450 and payment is due in full at the time of registration.

"We are delighted to extend this great opportunity to have local Lehigh Valley residents learn the game of hockey from some of the very best to have ever played this wonderful game," said Flyers Skate Zone at Bethlehem General Manager Jim Galley. "The instructors we have lined up have a combined 29 years of professional hockey experience at the National Hockey League level, and thus have a wealth of knowledge to offer our students."

Currently a Pro Scout for the Philadelphia Flyers, Hill enjoyed a 13-year professional hockey career including two trips to the Stanley Cup Finals. He holds the NHL record for most points scored in his first game with two goals and three assists for five total points, and has coaching experience at the NHL, American Hockey League and International Hockey League levels.

Hextall competed in the NHL for 16 years with the Flyers, Quebec Nordiques, and New York Islanders. During his playing days he advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals twice, and was awarded both the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs Most Valuable Player and Vezina Trophy for the League's best goaltender following the 1987 season.

In addition to being the current hockey director at Flyers Skate Zone at Bethlehem, Jarrod Hill is the head coach of the Hershey High School Trojans of the Central Pennsylvania Inter-Scholastic Ice Hockey League and is the former head coach of the Hershey Jr. Bears Bantam AA Team.

The Flyers Skate Zone at Bethlehem is located on East First Street, and offers the community unique recreational opportunities including interactive public skating sessions with a DJ, light shows, ticket and prize giveaways, contests and more. In addition, community members can participate in Learn to Skate and Learn to Play programs with professional instructors, adult and youth hockey leagues, tournaments, and Flyers and Phantoms player appearances. Schools and community groups are welcome to rent out the rink for fundraisers and meetings. For public skating hours or more information on upcoming special events call (610) 625-4774 or log onto www.bethlehemflyersskatezone.com.


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