Silver Bay’s summer hockey camp wrapped up another successful season in July, welcoming 125 young athletes from across Minnesota and as far away as Thunder Bay for a week of skill-building, team bonding, and fun.
While numbers were slightly down from previous years, camp organizer and Blue Line Club President Nick Bjerken said the week-long event still drew a strong turnout with many familiar faces.
“We actually had a few new people this year, which was good,” Bjerken said. “We had a lot of really good instructors. It’s been a good mix of alumni, college hockey players, and current Storm.”
Those instructors included familiar local names like Kade Kohanski, Will Esterbrooks, and Dallas Vieau, all products of the Hermantown hockey system who are currently committed to Division I schools. They were joined by female collegiate players like Liv Hoff from Concordia Moorhead and Nina Thorson, a recent graduate headed to Hamline, as well as Alexa Harrison, Hope Ernest, and several recent Storm alumni such as Aiden Althaus.
“It’s kind of good to have that next generation of instructors and give back,” Bjerken said. “They’ve been super good. It’s nice to see them work with the kids.”
That strong instructor roster allowed the camp to maintain a favorable 6:1 player-to-coach ratio, which is ideal for keeping younger players focused and active, whether on the ice or during dry land training sessions.
Rainy days didn’t slow things down. When the weather didn’t cooperate, campers shifted gears into video sessions that included leadership talks and highlight reels featuring NHL superstars like Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby.
“It’s not all just jumping over cones and stickhandling,” Bjerken explained. “We took a more classroom approach on those days.”
Campers also got a break from drills with the return of Bjerken’s signature card tricks, some repeats from previous years that campers were eager to solve.
One of the biggest benefits of the camp, according to Bjerken, is the community it fosters. Returning families and players often treat the week as a reunion.
“We’ve got a family from the Brainerd area with three kids in camp,” he said. “This is the only time they get to see some of their hockey friends. They keep in touch all year.”
This year’s jersey colors were royal blue and white, which was a big hit with the kids, who often reuse them throughout the hockey season as practice jerseys.
Two other annual highlights made a strong return: friendly face-offs between local first responders. One day saw the Silver Bay and Two Harbors Police Departments facing off against the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Another matched up the Silver Bay Fire Department and Lake County Rescue in spirited exhibition games.
“Every year we have the Fire Department against Lake County Rescue one day and another day we have the Silver Bay PD,” Bjerken explained. “Actually, this year we had the Two Harbors PD, as well, against the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Kind of a friendly rivalry. There’s always a little banter going back and forth.”
The kids are just as excited for the games as the adults, eagerly anticipating the friendly competition each year.
“It’s always been super fun, and they’ve been great,” he said. “Every time I ask, they don’t hesitate.”
The camp also made use of Silver Bay’s recently completed outdoor rink, a much-appreciated upgrade from the tennis courts they had used in the past for dry land training.
“That was huge,” Bjerken said. “It’s a big addition to camp.”
Plans are already in motion for next year’s camp, scheduled for July 25 to 31, 2026. Until then, organizers are proud of another summer well spent.
With its dedicated instructors, strong community support, and growing legacy, Silver Bay’s hockey camp promises to keep developing young talent and creating lasting memories for years to come.
