This August, youth hockey players have a chance to learn from Danny Wood, an expert who has played hockey in 12 countries.

A former Albert Lea Thunder captain, Wood has run hockey camps and clinics in Minnesota and Ohio for the past five years. He will be leading a Pre-season Powerskating and Skills Clinic Aug. 23-27 at the Albert Lea City Arena.

Wood has been captain of seven of the 11 hockey teams he has played on and played his highest level of hockey at Shattuck St. Mary’s in Faribault, where he attended high school.

Having been born in England, Wood said, “I consider myself a hybrid coach, by teaching and experiencing both North American and European style hockey.”

The Pre-Season Powerskating and Skills Clinic will cost $250 per player, but there is a discount for all goalies attending the camp.

“I wanted to run a hockey camp at a reasonable price,” Wood said. “Giving youth hockey players a chance to develop new skills and perfect their style without having to pay a high price.”

A portion of the proceeds from the camp will be donated to athlete development at the Albert Lea Family Y.

The camp is for youth hockey players levels Mini-Mites through Bantams (ages 4-15). All youth attending the camp must have hockey experience.

Registration will be on Aug. 23, at 7:30 a.m. The camp will run from 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, with the option of parents dropping their children off early each day.

Another camp might be run during the afternoon depending on the number of attendees.

Local residents are encouraged to contact Wood and sign up early because the camp is being advertised within eight different youth associations in the area. To reserve a spot at the camp, people can either call or email Wood. Because spots are limited, a $50 fee will be charged if someone reserves a spot but does not attend. The fee will be waived if they find a replacement for their spot.

The complete camp schedule is still in progress, but each session will include two hours of ice time and one hour dryland or classroom setting.

The dryland time will include goal setting, nutritional instruction, games and conditioning. Other skilled hockey players will also be helping with the camp as counselors, teaching both on and off the ice. Wood will also provide time for questions and answers, as well as training for goalies.

“Above all, I want those attending the camp to have had a fun experience,” Wood said. “I want them to feel like they have learned a lot both on and off the ice, and when the camp is over to feel they have gotten to know me and my counselors on a personal basis.”

For more information on the Pre-Season Powerskating and Skills Clinic or to reserve a spot in the camp, call Danny Wood at 507-384-1086 or e-mail him at dannywood19@hotmail.com. Flyers can also be picked up at the Albert Lea Family Y.