The third annual Centre Ice Hockey Camp faced off last week.

The camp, which is sponsored by the Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN), ran July 25-28 at the Canada Games Centre.

The Star spoke with CYFN Grand Chief Peter Johnston last Thursday about the camp.

"We're running a four-day camp that consists of two on-ice sessions per day, plus a couple off-ice sessions which are building on the strengths of conditioning and stretching and then on the ice, gives all the attributes of getting ready for game time. So all the little skill development, let alone everything else in between: puck handling and working on good attitudes and proper nutrition as well.

Johnston said the Yukon First Nation Education Directorate (YFNED) was a major partner in the hockey camp by providing catering, plus on-ice and off-ice support as well.

"We're very thankful for their in-kind contributions to the success of the camp."

Johnston said the camp attendees ranged in age from five to 18 years and came from across the territory, including Old Crow, Dawson City, Haines Junction, Pelly Crossing and Watson Lake.

Johnston said they're trying to offer something positive for the children and youth attending the camp.

"For me, it's always about positive opportunities. We're trying to counteract all the negatives in the world, including the opioid reality. For me, it's like, what are we doing to prevent it?"

Johnston said to that end, they are trying to "provide these kids with the opportunity to make good decisions, get the support they need to get them on the right path through sport and recreation."

He said they're also promoting the benefits of healthy activity, positive role models and good leadership qualities that go with the camp.

"We're here to help support them. We're not here to really fool around as much as we are here with a clear intention of getting kids from point A to point B, but it's with kindness, love, but also at the same time, building that commitment level for them to show up on time, participate."

Johnston said camp leaders are also teaching respect in general.

"It's from the coaches to the players, from the players back to the coaches. So it's just building on all those great attributes that hockey does for youth, and we as older generations as well."

This year, they have a record 124 kids in camp. That's compared to 65 the first year and 85 last year.

"We're struggling with the fact that we've got too many kids," related Johnston. "I opened the door to 18 last-minute entries and really couldn't turn kids away. They wanted to be here.

"We haven't had an incident. This is our third straight year pretty much incident-free, which is another good thing. Had some small stuff but that's to be expected. With 124 kids, something's always going to go wrong, but this year's been amazing."

In addition to CYFN and the YFNED, Jordan's Principle also helped kids participate in the camp.

Johnston said the aim was to have as few barriers as possible for kids to come to the event.

Very cool swag, including jerseys, hats and autographed jerseys, have also been given away.

As per usual, hockey celebrities were a big part of the camp's appeal. This year, former NHL power forward Rene Bourque attended the camp.

Young Yukon phenom Gavin McKenna also came to help with the camp.

"The Next One, as I always refer to him," said Johnston. "He'll be the next in line from the Yukon to make the big leap to stardom."

McKenna is a Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in citizen originally from Dawson City.

Last year, McKenna made a cameo appearance to speak to the kids. This year, said Johnston, McKenna has been on the ice every day.

"So we want to have kids maybe never having the opportunity, to have exposure to athletes that are successful, let alone locals. Gavin is a great example," said Johnston. "It's just great to have him here as the 'poster boy'."

Johnston added having McKenna participating is a highlight of the camp.

Prominent returning coaches included former NHL'er Aaron Asham, Shoresy actor and former MMA fighter Andrew Antsanen, and Mike Diabo, a fitness and nutrition coach.

Of Antsanen, Johnston said, "It's great to have him back. He's very much invested here."

Camp organizer John Chabot and his son Kyle were also back to help run the event.

"They all have a journey to their success, and all the kids need to see that vein of possibility," said Johnston.

He said the goal is to create an environment where kids can come and be safe, but also have hockey-playing First Nations role models to look up to.

40 percent of the camp participants were non-First Nations participants, while the camp has 90 per cent First Nations coaches.

"We're proud to be a First Nations camp, but the intent is to be inclusive," explained Johnston.