Hit the Ice

John Chabot travels to the 2012 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Saskatoon and begins his scouting process. With more than two hundred players to choose from, picking the top fifteen will prove to be a challenge.

Excited players begin to arrive in Gatineau. Not sure what to expect, they are surprised when they are immediately thrust into the “Hit The Ice” experience and begin the elite hockey development program. The coaching staff has high expectations.

Players get their first on-ice practice and discover that being a top prospect is about much more than just being good on skates. The coaching staff begins to see the team's talent and, most importantly, their work ethic.

For the second off-ice workout, the players travel to a different location where they are initiated to train like pros. The head coach calls out a few players and announces that not everyone will be playing in the final game.

The athletes have been practicing for three days straight and to bring up the morale, NHL rookie Erik Gudbranson joins the athletes for a skate. John decides to end the practice with a scrimmage getting the players excited to see some game action.

The players rejoice as they are given a day off. Although the experience has been more than the athletes could have hoped for, time away from the rink is a good break, especially for the injured athletes. The team takes part in a fun team building activity.