The Hockey Ministries International 2010 Camp season kicked off this past Sunday June 6 with the first Christian Hockey Camps International Camp in St. Louis, Missouri. HMI will stage 32 weeks of camps this summer in six different countries, including Canada, the United States, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Slovakia.

Former professional hockey player Charlie Blyth is the Camp Director of the St. Louis camp, and on Sunday welcomed over 50 campers to the host site on the campus of Webster University . Blyth, a native of Montreal, Quebec and a former player with the United Hockey League's / International Hockey League's Missouri River Otters, will help lead an excellent group of solid on-ice instructors, as well as a caring and loving local camp staff.

"The camp is underway and we've had a great start." said Blyth. "We have this year perhaps one of the most incredible group of on-ice pro instructors that we've ever had at an HMI camp in St. Louis."

Heading the on-ice group is former National Hockey League defenseman, Rob Ramage.  The former St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens defenseman, is a two-time Stanley Cup winner, and one of the most popular players to ever don a Blues' jersey.

Also instructing at the St.Louis camp is former Minnesota North Stars and University of Minnesota defenseman, Bll Butters. The University of Wisconsin Badgers just signed on Butters as an Assistant Coach for the 2010-2011 season. Long-time Central Hockey League veteran Stacey Bauman, a regular at the HMI St. Louis camp for many years, is also on the on-ice staff, as well as Wisconsin Badgers Blake Geoffrion and John Ramage. 

"We're into the third day of camp here on Tuesday." said Blyth. "The pros are starting to share their testimonies during our evening chapels, and I am really looking forward to seeing what the Lord is going to do here this week."

Geared for boys and girls of all skill levels, age 9-17, Christian Hockey Camps International provides a world-class, on-ice program which is directed and overseen by a caring staff in a fun and high energy atmosphere. Each camp provides an engaging and well organized regimen, designed to challenge kids in body, mind and spirit with a solid Christian message. HMI camps also feature great food and great fun, and each camper receives a free, special CHCI jersey! 

Next up on HMI's 2010 camp schedule will be camps in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Chiacgo, Illinois and Soldotna, Alaska the week of June 20. Registrations remain open for all upcoming HMI camps.  CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE REGISTRATION INFORMATION.  To view photos from last year's CHCI St. Louis camp, CLICK HERE.