by Janet Schultz, NYHOL
What do you do after you’ve played youth hockey, collegiate hockey, coached high school and managed a professional women’s hockey team?
Well, you start sharing all that knowledge!
That’s what Linda “Groffy” Groff Jenkins is doing at Northtowns, and in her own style.
“Groffy” played her youth hockey in the old Audubon Arena, moved through the Amherst Youth Hockey ranks, played college for Niagara University Women’s D1 program, coached the Monsignor Martin Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Team to championships and then served as General Manager for the NWHL Buffalo Beauts. She is also known for her Lacrosse coaching at the high school level in Erie County.
While out walking her dog, Northtowns Manager Eric Guzdek approached Linda about developing some clinics at Northtowns. With that request, Linda thought about offering a clinic which focused on what each individual needs, but in a group setting that makes it affordable and fun.
The Wednesday Hockey Clinic was born. It’s offered for 5 to 12 year olds from 12:40 to 1:50 p.m.; 13 to 18 year olds, 2:10 to 3:20 p.m. and then there is a Family Hockey Skills session from 3:40 to 4:50 p.m.
Its unstructured and fun; not just the constant drill after drill after drill.
“You can develop your ice hockey skills in a small group format and individually, under my direction,” said Linda.
“I look at each participate, assess them and then help them correct or enhance their skill set,” she continued.
Not only do these clinics help those hockey skills, but in this time of a Pandemic, it gives kids who are being taught virtually a time to get out and get some physical exercise, while enhancing their skills.
While watching the youngest group of about 12 players, a couple older ones where practicing shooting into the net, another was skating around working on puck handling and the youngest member was being given a ride on the ice by Linda.
While spectators aren’t allowed in, one parent has been allowed in and they must keep socially distanced. With the younger participants it’s important for them to see Mom or Dad nearby and they make several runs over to the bench for an encouraging hug, encouraging remark, or a water break.
“The parents can also see what I do,” said Linda.
With the older clients, she focuses on the mental aspect of the game, as well as the physical skills.
One of those clients is Emma Guzdek who plays for the Clarence/Amherst/Sweethome team in
“These kids are playing high pressure hockey at the high school level and this clinic gives them a break from the pressure of the game by focusing on the part of the game they need to improve upon.”
Brayden Sonnenberger is working on his skills and enjoys scoring hat tricks. Linda will help him with that and teach him how to pass the puck effectively, an area he needs help in.
“I love it,” said Brayden about the clinic.
“I like the ride,” said Cassidy, his sister who joined the clinic as soon as she turned five because her big brother was doing it and she was “bored” in the stands.
“It wasn’t fun and she was tired of sitting in the stands,” said Mom Jessica Sonnenberger.
Emma is there working on her stick handling and slap shot.
“The best part is working with Linda,” said Emma. “It’s not work, it’s fun.”
Brayden and Cassidy’s mom agree.
“I saw the flier and thought it would be great for Brayden. So I signed him up and he was the only one at that time. He actually had a one-on-one session for awhile.
“Linda notices what the players need to work on and helps them with that particular skill. Then they get time to work on that skill by themselves. It’s more than just a set of drills,” continued Jessica.
Brayden, who is in his second season with Amherst Youth Hockey, would normally be in school but Covid has him learning at home and this gives him, and his sister, a chance to break up the day, gives him something to work on that he loves and also something to look forward to each week.
Linda limits the clinics to 20 participants, which gives her time to work individually with each one. In addition it gives the players time to work on their own in a very relaxed atmosphere.
The Clinic focuses on skills and the mental aspect of the game of hockey. She works on their edge work, agility, stops and starts, speed and conditioning in skating. Puck control, passing and receiving and puck protection are the focal points of stick handling and in shooting she will help them with their wrist shot, snap shot, slap shot and backhand and also gives them direction in body positioning and angling.
The Wednesday Hockey Clinic is open to Amherst residents at $10/player and to Non-residents at $20/player.
For information go to https://amherstyouthandrec.org and then click “skate”.
