Sebastien Vuillemot was one of about 30 kids just itching to hit the ice in Dieppe, N.B., on Saturday.
The 14-year-old is part of Hockey NB’s neurodiverse program for players who love the sport but are not able to play for various reasons.
“Skills, practice, everything,” said Sebastien, when asked what he loves the most about hockey.
Julie Doucette is one of the parents who started the program three years ago and said it’s perfect for anyone who just needs a little bit more support.
“We’re giving them an opportunity to be on the ice just like the other kids their age,” said Doucette. “We have a lot of kids on our team that have autism. We have kids that are ADHD. We have kids that have Down syndrome.”
There’s ten bi-weekly sessions with volunteer coaches and high school hockey teams from the Greater Moncton area.
Hockey NB Technical Director Matt Vautour said the young players are taught four basic skills, passing, skating, puck control and shooting, but the biggest goal is to have fun and ultimately be part of the whole hockey experience.
“The traditional minor hockey setting, whether it be loud noises, the hustle and bustle of it might be a little problematic so we just provide a safe environment for them to come out here and work on their skills and have some fun playing the game,” said Vautour.
Dave Melanson is the lead instructor and said the program is a pleasure to be a part of.
“We’re seeing miracles actually every week that we’re out on the ice. We’re giving an opportunity to kids that really before didn’t have an opportunity to play this great game. So now they have an opportunity and every week I’m seeing significant improvements by these children. They amaze me,” said Melanson.
Melanson has been coaching all levels of hockey for 35 years, but said this program is special.
“This is the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had in my life,” said Melanson.
It’s been great for Sebastien and his father Ben too.
“It’s given him a lot of confidence. He’s learned skills. Skating, basic hockey skills. But it’s also the social part. It gives him some place to go and he’s meeting new people,” said Vuillemot.
Sebastien has been playing for ten years and loves to score goals.
“I like the drills and everything,” said Sebastien.
On Saturday, it was Moncton High’s turn to volunteer and help with the drills during the hour-long practice.
“It’s lots of fun, meeting new people and showing the kids how to play hockey,” said Grade 11 student Campbell Harris.
Having different high school teams at the UNIplex in Dieppe means a lot to the kids.
“He’s meeting new people and they’re getting used to being around people with special needs as well, which is really, really good for the community,” said Vuillemot.
The high school players were more than happy to help out, but it was the kids feeling the most joy on the ice.
“Our athletes are the happiest,” said Doucet. “They are sweaty, they are happy. They know they are participating just like all the other kids in their classes playing hockey and it’s really that inclusion that we see on the ice here.”
The program finished Saturday and Vautour handed out medals and stickers to all the players leaving the rink.
A jamboree with teams from Fredericton and Quispamsis will officially wrap up the season on March 15.
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