Young local skaters aspiring to be the next Paul Kariya or Ray Bourque will be able to take their first stride toward their quest when Bangor Youth Hockey begins its Learn to Play Hockey program this fall.

Registration for the program, which is for kids ages 5-7, is Sept. 12-13, 6-8 p.m., at the Bangor (Armory) Parks and Recreation Community Center. Registration for all Bangor Youth Hockey divisions will also be held then.

Bangor Youth Hockey emphasizes fundamental skating skills in its instructional program, which it has offered for at least the 13 years since it has been a chartered association, according to John Dionne, the organization’s president.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Dionne said. “The kids really enjoy hockey because it’s a participatory sport. They move a lot, they keep very active, and enjoy that so much.”

Jeff Silverstein, a member of Bangor Youth Hockey Board, will direct this season’s program along with instructors Tom Hickey and Mario Thyer, a former University of Maine hockey star. While emphasizing the skating skills, the program also teaches stick and puck handling and shooting. Players are grouped in work stations on the ice.

The program consists of two sessions, one starting eight weeks before the Christmas holidays and the second beginning eight weeks after the holidays. Players can participate in both sessions.

Last year’s program attracted 60 aspiring hockey players with about 30 also electing to participate in Bangor Youth Hockey’s Atoms League, which feature’s cross-ice games.

“We have two games going on concurrently,” Dionne said. “There’s not a great deal of emphasis put on the goalies. The big thing is the skating. The kids love to play. If they just do practices without game situations, it’s not quite as satisfying.”

Bangor Youth Hockey has become a popular organization with the city’s young skaters. Last year, 205 skaters participated in the organization which also includes divisions for Mites (ages 6-8), Squirts (9-10), Peewees (11-12), Bantams (13-14) and Midgets (high school).

Those seeking more information on Bangor Youth Hockey may contact Dionne at 942-8205 or jpjdionne@aol.com

Brewer Youth Hockey also offers a fine Learn to Skate Program for its aspiring players. Registration for Brewer’s instructional league is Oct. 2, 6-8 p.m., at Gunn’s Sport Shop on the Green Point Road.

Brewer will also hold registration for its other house age divisions – Mites, Squirts, Peewees and Bantams – on Sept. 12, 6-8 p.m., at the Brewer Auditorium. Those seeking more information may contact Brewer Youth Hockey president Jeff Thompson at 825-3954.

Clinic stresses hoop fundamentals

Young basketball players seeking lessons may want to consider the Fun With Fundamentals Basketball Clinics at Husson College in Bangor.

Husson men’s basketball coach Warren Caruso is the director of the four Saturday clinics which will be held at Husson’s Newman Gym on Sept. 8, 15, 22, and 29. The clinics consist of a 9 a.m. to noon session for grades 2-5 and a 1-4 p.m. session for grades 6-8.

The cost is $15 per session or $40 for four sessions. Different skills will be covered at each session and those interested may register on each Saturday from 8-9 a.m. or noon-1 p.m.

Those seeking more information may contact Caruso at 941-7112 or 990-3830.

Young golfers excel

Almost 60 young golfers competed in last weekend’s Ted Johns Sr. Memorial Golf Tourney at Carmel Valley Golf Links. Congratulations to age-group winners: boys – Jessie Speirs (ages 15-18), David McLaughlin (12-14), Tyler White (8-11) and Sam Grindle (5-7); and girls – Whitney Hand (12-14) and Elizabeth Pederson (8-11).

Joe McLaughlin’s Youth Sports column, which covers participants from grades eight and down, is published each Thursday. He can be reached at 990-8229 or jmclaughlin@bangordailynews.net