Fifty summers of Hockey Ministry camps! I began forty summers ago as a volunteer camp counselor at the Moncton camp. It was there that I met Ryan Walter. He was fresh off winning the Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens. I remember my first ice session. I was in the corner picking up pucks and I hear skates stopping behind me. I look up and it's Ryan reaching out to shake my hand and introduce himself to me. I certainly didn't need him to identify himself as I recognized him immediately. It was quite an introduction to HMI. Little did I realize that summer the road that lay ahead, mapped out for Vicki and me and our two children, Rebecca and Joe, a road that would eventually lead to joining Team HMI as full-time staff.

This summer's schedule of camps was a reduced one for me. With the pause on our hockey camp in Sweden, a camp that I had been involved in for over twenty years, it was one less week. But here in our own backyard of Quispamsis, NB, we saw two full camps of almost 200 boys and girls. I have said how extra special it is, having travelled across North America and Europe offering the camps, to now have it conducted in my own community. With the format being a day camp we had to find accommodations for some of our staff. I had a full house here with good friends, Kelly Ens, Brian Miller and Luke Betts staying with me in week one, followed by week 2 with my brother, Brent, along with Jon Christiano and Bill Butters. Rich times of fellowship followed after full days of hockey camp. In the first week at Quispamsis I had nine players off my U15 hockey team attend. That was so great to have them there so they could experience a Hockey Ministries camp.

My final camp of the summer was the second week in PEI. Bill Butters and I travelled there on Wednesday, August 12th, the first day of camp. That evening I spoke at the chapel and set the table for the week reminding the campers that they were all here by an appointment made by God, clearly stated in Psalm 139. I also pointed out that the following day (August 13th) would be a difficult day for me as it marked the 2nd anniversary of Vicki's passing. It was good to be surrounded by campers and staff supporting me on that day. That week we saw a powerful response to the Gospel. Bill and I came away with such a sense that God had done a great work in the hearts of young people.



On August 22nd HMI Atlantic's annual golf fundraiser hit the fairways at Petitcodiac Valley Golf & Country Club here in New Brunswick. We were blessed with a beautiful day for golf. Our number of golfing teams were up yet somehow the round ended ahead of schedule, returning to the clubhouse for a delicious steak dinner. Joe and I were able to speak to the group thanking them for their support and sharing some of what God is doing in the hockey community. At the end of the day over $11,000 was raised to help fuel the work of HMI here in Atlantic Canada.

We so appreciated representatives from the Eagles' family in attendance and playing together as a family. The event was named the Robertson-Eagles Memorial to honour two men, Ernie Eagles and Len Robertson who were instrumental years ago in establishing and growing the event. Thank you to everyone who participated by attending, donating and praying. We are grateful for you all.





Although the regular season has not begun already my son, Joe, and I have connected with the Sea Dogs during their training camp. We were warmly welcomed by the new Head Coach, Jim Hulton, along with the other members of his coaching staff. Jim is very familiar with Hockey Ministries having seen the work of our chaplain, Kris MacPhee, in action during his seasons in Charlottetown with the Islanders. A meeting was arranged with the entire Sea Dogs team where Joe and I introduced ourselves, explained our roles with the team and provided additional information about the work of HMI. It was great to see the returning players but also meet the many newcomers. The table is set for our first chapel on September 10th.

On the same day we also met with some of the front office marketing people regarding another Faith & Family event during an upcoming Sea Dogs home game. The date of November 21st was selected as we begin promoting and planning. Last season's event saw an extra thousand tickets sold for the game and we hope to double that on the 21st. There were lessons learned as we seek to further develop the concept.





Last season I returned to coaching youth hockey. I really had thought my days of involvement in minor hockey was behind me and that my role now was to be the grandfather and watch one of my grandsons play. Upon Vicki's passing I began to reconsider everything and felt led to return to coaching youth. I discovered how important a U15 team could become. It was wonderful to see over half the team attend the Quispamsis hockey camp this summer. My return to coaching was motivated by a sense that the decision to coach was an extension of ministry. Plus it was special coaching my oldest grandson. How many grandfathers get to do that?

After the season I began once again assessing whether I would return. On one of my early morning walks I met a lady walking her dog. I asked her what was the breed of dog. In the conversation she said, "years ago you coached our son. It was the best year he ever had in minor hockey." It was nice to hear but I also took it as a sign that I should seriously consider returning. So as I type these words I await the decision from our association regarding a coaching position. In the fullness of time it will be revealed.



THE PRAYER



It was Thursday morning, August 13th at the second PEI camp. My HMI colleague, Bill Butters, and I were on the ice for the three morning sessions. The last group of the morning was the older teenagers at camp. Traditionally each of our ice sessions end with prayer. I remember back in 1986 at my first ever HMI camp witnessing the prayer at the end of the ice. I had never in all my years of playing hockey experienced players praying on the ice. It had such a powerful impact on me and has remained special ever since. So 40 years later, I'm on the ice for another prayer time at the end of the ice time. Bill often asked the players if anyone would like to lead the prayer. Often his request is met with silence leading to one of the instructors closing with prayer. But on this day when Bill asked for a volunteer to lead the prayer one of my goaltenders, a fifteen year old, stood up and said he would pray. In his prayer he prayed for me. The night before I had mentioned this day would be a difficult day for me as it marked the second anniversary of Vicki's death. Here was this teenage goaltender praying for me. Both Bill and I were deeply touched. In that moment I also thought about Bill Butters' story of how he came to a HMI camp many years ago to help out as an instructor but was also very far from God. It was at that camp where a group of 12 year old boys prayed for Bill and God used that prayer to touch Bill's heart and transform his life.

And so the ministry of HMI continues. Thank you for being wonderful teammates and supporting me in sharing the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.

Sincerely,

Bruce