(February 26, 2008) Each week Hockey Ministries International will salute a "Chaplain of the Week" in order to acknowledge our chaplains who volunteer their time and resources to serve the hockey world. Currently HMI has over 200 volunteer chaplains who are staging chapel programs in 22 professional and amateur leagues across North America and Europe.
Doug Klassen is the chaplain of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League's Kindersley Klippers. Doug is in his 8th year of chaplaincy for the Klippers. He played for the Briercrest Bible College Clippers under Coach John Bechtold, who later encouraged him to begin a chapel program in Kindersley. Klassen also began working with HMI helping out at its' hockey camp in Caronport in the late 80’s. Doug has been a teacher in Kindersley for 12 years before accepting a position as the Supervisor of Technology for the SunWest School Division. He lives in Kindersley, Saskatchewan with his wife Deborah and their four children: Vanessa, Cole, Bret, and Charity.
Hockey Ministries International does have some current openings for chaplains in certain cities, towns and communities. If you are interested in serving as an HMI chaplain or know someone who would be interested, please e-mail Don Liesemer Jr. at donjr@hockeyministries.org. Let us know where you live, and we will let you know if we have a need in your area.
(February 26, 2008) Hockey Ministries International was fortunate to have a meaningful presence at the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game and accompanying events in Stockton, California on Tuesday, January 22 and Wednesday, January 23.
Doug Halcomb, US Chapel Development Coordinator for HMI, was the featured speaker for the ECHL All-Star Game chapel for interested American and National Conference All-Star players. He was assisted by the Chaplain for the ECHL's Reading Royals, Mark Magruder, and Tony Yadon, Chaplain for the ECHL's Stockton Thunder, which was the host team of the event. Attendance by the players was voluntary, and approximately 12 All-Stars took advantage of this unique opportunity. Each conference had their own seperate chapel service.
Magruder was asked to offer the invocation at the ECHL's "Hall of Fame Luncheon" on January 22, an event held in conjunction with the All-Star game. Magruder has been involved with the Royals' chapel program since its inception in 2001. During the first four seasons he assisted Pastor Bryan Koch with the Reading chapel program, before taking over the lead role three seasons ago. He is well liked and respected by the Royals' players and front office.
The inaugural class of the ECHL "Hall of Fame" included Henry Brabham, Patrick J. Kelly, Nick Vitucci and Chris Valicevic. There were 450 attendees at the luncheon, which included special guest speaker Brian Burke, who is the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Stanley Cup Champion Anaheim Ducks. Following a video highlighting their accomplishments, each of the inductees was presented an etched crystal award and an ECHL Hall of Fame ring by Commissioner Brian McKenna.
HMI has been blessed to have enjoyed tremendous cooperation from the ECHL since they started providing chapels for the league in 1998. We would like to thank Commissioner McKenna, and Tara Crane, the ECHL's Director of Marketing and Licensing, for allowing HMI the opportunity to provide a chapel for the players at the All-Star game, and to be a part of the "Hall of Fame Luncheon."
Hockey Ministries International does have some current openings for chaplains in certain cities in the ECHL. If you are interested in serving as an HMI chaplain or know someone who would be interested, please e-mail Don Liesemer Jr. at donjr@hockeyministries.org. Let us know where you live, and we will let you know if we have a need in your area.
(February 19, 2008) Each week Hockey Ministries International will salute a "Chaplain of the Week" in order to acknowledge our chaplains who volunteer their time and resources to serve the hockey world. Currently HMI has over 200 volunteer chaplains who are staging chapel programs in 22 professional and amateur leagues across North America and Europe.
Tom Riley is the chaplain of the ECHL's Texas Wildcatters in Beaumont, Texas. Riley has been the Wildcatters chaplain since the team's inception in 2003.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Tom graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications. Currently Riley is a Parks and Recreation Supervisor in Beaumont, and is also a licensed Minister.
Tom has been living in Texas since he was 9 years old, but still has strong family ties to the Boston Area. His pastor had a vision to start a sports ministry to the local professional hockey and indoor football teams five years ago. Riley was chosen to head up the hockey side because of his knowledge of the game, and to also stop him from yelling at the refs! :) SInce then he's also joined the local chapter of high-school basketball referees, and is looking to start/build a chaplain program there.
Tom has been a member of Church on the Rock for more than 20 years, having been involved in all levels of student ministry from jr- high up to college, and performing arts. He resides in Groves, TX with his wife Jana, a former missionary to Russia, and their aspiring hockey goalie son, Owen, who is two years old.
Riley's favorite verse of scripture is Philippians 2, verses 3-4. (3) "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (4) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."
Hockey Ministries International does have some current openings for chaplains in certain cities, towns and communities. If you are interested in serving as an HMI chaplain or know someone who would be interested, please e-mail Don Liesemer Jr. at donjr@hockeyministries.org. Let us know where you live, and we will let you know if we have a need in your area.
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(Thursday, February 14) Christy Liesemer, Hockey Ministries International's Director of Camp Programs; Ottawa Senators forward, Mike Fisher; and former Minnesota North Stars' defenseman Bill Butters share their experiences from their participation at HMI's Christian Hockey Camps International.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH HMI CAMP VIDEO
After watching the video, prospective campers and their parents will have a much better idea of the curriculum and hockey instruction that HMI offers at each and every camp. Hockey Ministries International is now taking camp registrations for its' 2008 Christian Athletes Hockey Camp season. Thirty one weeks of camp are on the schedule for 2008. Once again Camp Coordinator, Christy Liesemer, will be coordinating HMI's massive summer of camps in 2008.
This year Hockey Ministries International will be staging 31 weeks of youth camps in eight countries around the globe including Canada, the United States, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Switzerland.
Christian Hockey Camps International feature high quality hockey instruction and practical training in Christian living as signature components at each and every camp. This curriculum proves to be a winning combination in preparing young athletes for challenges, both on and off the ice. Each day at camp, the devotional introduces the "game plan" for the day - a theme from the Hockey Player's Handbook. This theme is followed in the daily Christian value discussion when counselors meet with their groups and discuss a number of topics related to life's inevitable challenges. Finally, the evening chapel features a youth-oriented program of music, skits and inspirational talks by the pros.
Hockey skills from seven countries highlight the on-ice instruction which includes power skating, individual skills, team skills and special direction for goaltenders. Other activities include dry land training, sports and recreation, and Christian training, all staged in a friendly and nurturing environment.
For a complete list of 2008 camp locations, and registration information, click on the "Camps" link on the homepage of the HMI website. For additional information contact Hockey Ministries International through e-Mail at : camps@hockeyministries.org, by phone at (514) 395-1717 or by fax at (514) 394-9449.
Don't forget, register by March 31 and receive a "Free" Christian Hockey Camps International Baseball Cap!
Mailing Address: P.O. Box #7, Windsor Station, Suite 265, 1100 de la Gauchetiere W., Montreal, Quebec H3B 2S2
(February 12, 2008) Each week Hockey Ministries International will salute a "Chaplain of the Week" in order to acknowledge our chaplains who volunteer their time and resources to serve the hockey world. Currently HMI has over 200 volunteer chaplains who are staging chapel programs in 22 professional and amateur leagues across North America and Europe.
Don Richmond is the chaplain of the British Columbia Hockey League's Westside Warriors in Kelowna, British Columbia. Don is on staff full-time with Hockey Ministries International, serving the province of British Columbia and as Chapel Coordinatorof the BCHL. Recently the Kelowna Capital news did a feature story on Don and his work with HMI and his work with the Warriors.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE STORY FROM THE KELOWNA CAPITAL NEWS
Hockey Ministries International does have some current openings for chaplains in certain cities, towns and communities. If you are interested in serving as an HMI chaplain or know someone who would be interested, please e-mail Don Liesemer Jr. at donjr@hockeyministries.org. Let us know where you live, and we will let you know if we have a need in your area.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW "CROSS ICE"
(February 4, 2008) Each week Hockey Ministries International will salute a "Chaplain of the Week" in order to acknowledge our chaplains who volunteer their time and resources to serve the hockey world. Currently HMI has over 200 volunteer chaplains who are staging chapel programs in 22 professional and amateur leagues across North America and Europe.
Dan Cousins is the first-season chaplain of the British Columbia Hockey League's Nanaimo Clippers in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Dan is a church planter and an owner of a painting company. While the program with the Clippers is only a few months in the making, Dan and HMI are continuing to look forward to amazing things.
Hockey Ministries International does have some current openings for chaplains in certain cities, towns and communities. If you are interested in serving as an HMI chaplain or know someone who would be interested, please e-mail Don Liesemer Jr. at donjr@hockeyministries.org. Let us know where you live, and we will let you know if we have a need in your area.
(February 4 , 2008 - Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Hockey Ministries International is now taking camp registrations for its' 2008 Christian Athletes Hockey Camp season. Thirty one weeks of camp are on the schedule for 2008. Once again Camp Coordinator, Christy Liesemer, will be coordinating HMI's massive summer of camps in 2008.
This year Hockey Ministries International will be staging youth hockey camps in seven countries around the globe including Canada, the United States, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Switzerland.
Christian Hockey Camps International feature high quality hockey instruction and practical training in Christian living as signature components at each and every camp. This curriculum proves to be a winning combination in preparing young athletes for challenges, both on and off the ice. Each day at camp, the devotional introduces the "game plan" for the day - a theme from the Hockey Player's Handbook. This theme is followed in the daily Christian value discussion when counselors meet with their groups and discuss a number of topics related to life's inevitable challenges. Finally, the evening chapel features a youth-oriented program of music, skits and inspirational talks by the pros.
Hockey skills from seven countries highlight the on-ice instruction which includes power skating, individual skills, team skills and special direction for goaltenders. Other activities include dry land training, sports and recreation, and Christian training, all staged in a friendly and nurturing environment.
For a complete list of 2008 camp locations, and registration information, click on the "Camps" link on the homepage of the HMI website. For additional information contact Hockey Ministries International through e-Mail at : camps@hockeyministries.org, by phone at (514) 395-1717 or by fax at (514) 394-9449.
Don't forget, register by March 31 and receive a "Free" Christian Hockey Camps International Baseball Cap!
Mailing Address: P.O. Box #7, Windsor Station, Suite 265, 1100 de la Gauchetiere W., Montreal, Quebec H3B 2S2
MARK OSBORNE, STU GRIMSON, AND VALERI BURE INTERVIEWED
ON THE "DREW MARSHALL SHOW" (CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN)
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW
Last month three former National Hockey League players were interviewed on the very popular "Drew Marshall Show" which airs Saturdays in Toronto from 1- 5 p.m. on Joy 1250. Mark Osborne, a former NHL player with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, and Winnipeg Jets; Valeri Bure, who starred with the Montreal Canadiens, Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars; and Stu Grimson who was a rugged enforcer with eight different NHL clubs, all shared the spotlight with Drew.
The four talked about fighting, hockey, fighting, faith, fighting, retirement, fighting, passivism, fighting, The Leafs, and (wait for it) fighting! The hour-long interview was filled with laughter, fun, banter and truth!
Osborne, Grimson and Bure are all Christians, and have had years of involvement with Hockey Ministries International. Today Osborne is a staff member of HMI serving in Toronto and Ontario, and works as a sportscaster on Toronto Maple Leafs TV. When his playing career ended in 2002, Grimson went to law school, earned a degree, and now serves with the NHL Players Association. Bure, brother of the "Russian Rocket," Pavel Bure, is married to the former actress who starred as DJ on the popular sitcom "Full House," Candace Cameron.