Some summer hockey camps in these parts are mainstays, now into their second or third generation of young local hockey talent development for those who simply can't get enough of the sports.

But pretty much every summer, newcomers to the scene sprout up, often championed by Sudburians who have expanded the scope of their knowledge of hockey over the years via a handful of key stops along the way.

Chase Lammi is preparing for his second year with the UPEI (University of Prince Edward Island) Panthers next month, doing so in part by assembling family and friends to assist with the next step of his passion in sharing his knowledge of the game with the kids.

"I've been training kids for a while now, working with kids off-ice stickhandling and shooting," said the 22 year-old Business major last week at the Gerry McCrory Sports Complex, site of the very first edition of the Riptide Elite Hockey Camp.

"I wanted to work on a camp where we could incorporate the on-ice with the off-ice work."

Bringing together his older brother (Hunter), Espanola Paper Kings' forward Atley Gringorten, NCAA (Concordia University - Wisconsin) commit Devon Savignac, U16 AAA Wolves defenceman Robert Landry and post-secondary netminder Mireille Kingsley, the group have learned from their first crack at this offering.

"It's gone really well so far - but the weather (several 30+ days) definitely threw me a curve ball," said Lammi. "And I had to find a way to incorporate a little more fun later in the week to keep them engaged."

Engaged is exactly what Lammi is when it comes to his latest hockey stop.

"It's beautiful out there - a great experience," said the young man who appeared in 24 games with the Panthers in his rookie campaign and is a teammate with former Sudbury Wolves' netminder Joe Ranger.

"I couldn't ask for a better spot to play hockey and got to school," added Lammi. "When you get the chance to go out east, you just can't turn that down."

Of course, that also means that Lammi and company must face the University of New Brunswick Reds a handful of times each season, the team that has laid claim to three of the past four U Sports Championships that have been contested.

"They're very good," admitted Lammi. "Everything they do is just textbook. The coach really runs a tight ship and you can tell when you play against them. Everything is really crisp."

"They're not just a skilled team; they're working really hard with all of that skill."