WHL: Seattle Thunderbirds to open 2015 hockey camp

The familiar sound of skates, sticks, and pucks on the ice is a welcome sound to hockey enthusiasts everywhere. Those sounds return to the ShoWare Center in Kent on Monday, August 10, as the Seattle Thunderbirds open their 2015 Stick Handling, Scoring, and Skating Hockey Camp.

This year marks the seventh season for the camp, which runs two different week-long options for players. The first will begin August 10 and run through Friday, August 14, while the second takes place August 17-21.

Lead instructors for the camp will be Thunderbirds assistant coaches Matt O'Dette and Tyler Alos. Additionally, each year current T-Bird players assist instructors and three have been named so far: in the first week, forward Luke Osterman will be on hand, and forwards Kaden Elder and Donovan Neuls will join Osterman for week two.

The team has announced there will be four groups for players. Group A will be for 6- to 8-year-olds, Group B is for 9- to 11-year-olds, and players 12 and up will be in Group C. Skaters, or hopeful skaters, 18 and up looking to sharpen their skills are welcome in the Adult Group.

Team Public and Media Relations Director Ian Henry says the hockey camp's attendance has been good and is growing, "but we can always handle more kids and adults that want to take part."

For more information on the camp and to find out how to get half off the price of the second week, go to the team's website at www.seattlethunderbirds.com.