By Frank Seravalli
Philadelphia Daily News - January 27, 2010

Walking to the Scanlon Rec Center - under the El tracks and through the playground - Eliezer Flores, 11, was expecting a practice just like any other he had experienced as part of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation at the Kensington neighborhood hockey rink.

Since he started in the program in December, Flores has gotten into a routine for most weekdays after school.

Yesterday, though, Flores forgot that he'd be skating in front of a special guest: Flyers coach Peter Laviolette.

As Flores' teammate Steven Rodriguez, 14, said: It was far different than a routine afternoon skate.

"It was way crazier than a normal practice," Rodriguez said. "I was nervous because I wanted to see how I skated. I think it was good. It was fun.

"It was interesting. I've never spoken to someone that's a pro [athlete or coach] before. It was real exciting."

For Laviolette, the experience was equally thrilling. In seven seasons as an NHL coach, Laviolette had never participated in a youth hockey clinic quite like the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation (ESYHF), which gives inner-city boys and girls a chance to learn to play hockey.

"I love getting out and working with kids," Laviolette said. "It wasn't that different than working with my own kids back in Florida. I think what surprised me the most was that when you ask the kids, they all say they love hockey.

"I think it's one of those sports that I think is contagious. You can play it at all ages; boys, girls, it doesn't matter. Everyone can play the game."

If it weren't for Comcast-Spectacor chairman Ed Snider, it's doubtful Flores or Rodriguez would have the chance to play.

Three years ago, the Scanlon Rec Center was closed for the winter.

People like Marnie Aument-Loughrey, a neighborhood resident and member of the rink's advisory board, and the ESYHF teamed up to put Scanlon - and the four other city-run rinks - back in service.

"We fought with the mayor, we fought with City Council," Aument-Loughrey said. "They told us there was no need for a rink because of the changing cultures in the neighborhood. Without it, our youth were missing out on so much.

"Now, they're learning that they are all the same. The kids are all ages, sizes, ethnicities. They are teammates. They want to have fun."

The program at Scanlon features kids ages 7 to 15 who come from neighborhoods like Kensington, Port Richmond and Juniata.

Rinks in Cobbs Creek/West Philly, South Philly, West Oak Lane, Oxford Circle, Northeast Philly, Chestnut Hill, Pennsauken, N.J., and University City have kids involved in after-school and weekend programs.

Through the foundation, the rink at Scanlon has new boards and glass, a new ice-making plant and a patched-up roof. Previously, the half-outdoor rink - which is open from late November through March - would be shut down on rainy days due to leaks.

The ESYHF has not only gotten players properly equipped with hockey gear but most importantly provided them with a devoted staff that mentors with academic and life lessons. Aument-Loughrey, who watched her niece and nephew skate yesterday, has noticed a big difference because of the program.

"We got report cards recently, their behavior problems have disappeared and their grades are up," Aument-Loughrey said. "These kids could be fighting or hanging around, doing graffiti at the playground or worse. This program is a good time, it gives them structure and discipline."

Said Laviolette: "That's why I think it's great coming down here and seeing all these kids on the ice, kids that maybe wouldn't get a chance to play."

Besides, after he gave his Flyers players a day off yesterday, Laviolette said he needed players to coach - as he worked on skating, shooting and stickhandling with different groups.

"We did a lot of different drills," Flores said. "It was a lot of fun."

For the players who have stuck with the program since its inception 4 years ago (the program is up to 2,500 players), the ESYHF has a high school-level team that competes against varsity and JV teams from around the area. The teams have traveled as far as Oshawa, Ontario, for a clinic with Keith Primeau, and to Boston to provide the backdrop for the NBC national broadcast of the recent NHL Winter Classic.

An extended summer program even combines hockey and academic instruction as an alternative to a lazy summer at the city pool.

"I didn't know where I was coming but this was a great little building," Laviolette said. "Getting the equipment, getting the coaches, getting the building done up . . . what a great avenue to get kids on the ice and playing hockey.

"Hockey is a great sport. Everyone should get a chance to play."

With this program, every new hockey fan has a chance to dream, too.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010