Group
Townshend with a group. Photo by Nan Stinson.
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Pointers
Townshend gives Colton Taylor pointers. Photo by Nan Stinson.
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NHL Hockey Coach Graeme Townshend teaches Pinedale youth
Two-day youth skating clinic
by Pinedale Hockey
February 7, 2011
Local hockey players recently attended a skating clinic at the Sublette County Ice Arena (SCIA). Graeme Townshend, Skills and Skating Coach for the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, taught skating skills and puck handling techniques to area youth during the two-day clinic on February 3rd and 4th.
Jeff Lewis, SCIA Rink Manager, arranged for Townshend’s visit to bring professional hockey instruction to Pinedale. "This is a fantastic opportunity for these kids to get to learn from a professional NHL Hockey coach. Usually, you’d have to go out of state for a clinic of this caliber and pay additional travel costs." Cost was $125 for five hours of intense instruction. According to Lewis, the players learned valuable skills they can use to improve their game skills. Townshend also came to Pinedale in 2008 and instructed many of the same players.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Graeme moved to Toronto at the age of three. He has played, coached and taught at every level of hockey. Townshend played for NHL’s Boston Bruins, N.Y. Islanders and Ottawa Senators. In total, Graeme played 686 professional games, scoring 227 goals and 208 assists for 435 points while playing in the NHL, AHL, IHL and WPHL.
Upon retiring from competitive play, Townshend went on to coach professionally for Universities as well as the NHL including the San Jose Sharks and the Maple Leafs. Townshend also owned and operated the nationally acclaimed GTP Hockey Schools. Many of Graeme’s students went onto play NCAA Hockey.
Townshend was recently inducted into the Canadian Black Hockey Hall of Fame in August of 2006, along with the likes of Anson Carter and Herb Carnegie and Willie O’Ree.
Though currently working with NHL players, Graeme maintains a passion for developing young athletes, and has developed a curriculum that will ensure each individual skater will learn the techniques to make them a better skater.
"I think it’s pretty amazing that we can get someone like Graeme Townshend to come here to Pinedale, Wyoming and work with our kids." said Nan Stinson, Hockey Mom.
Photos courtesy Nan Stinson
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