Teemu Selänne leads youth hockey skills workshop in Montreal amid 4 Nations Face-Off

As part of the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal, NHL alumni and Finnish star Teemu Selänne took to the ice at the Bell Centre Friday morning to lead a skills workshop with Sun Youth hockey players.

“Every time when you’re going to come out even a little bit with the kids, it’s a big thing. You know, I’m so happy that they’re having fun,” said Selänne while speaking about the workshop.

The aspiring young hockey players took part in drills as the NHL legend, also known as the Finnish Flash, offered feedback and encouragement to the kids.

“I always say that when the kids play sports, and when they get introduced to hockey, I think it’s an awesome thing. And as a hockey player, we want to be good examples for them and give a little motivation that maybe one day they work hard, if they choose hockey to be their dream, that good things can happen. But the joy, I always say, just have fun and enjoy every moment,” said Selänne.

“I always try to tell them that play multiple sports and try everything and then you’re going to find your own thing. But what comes to the hockey, you know, I think sometimes hockey is getting too serious too early. And I think back home in Scandinavia, Finland, Sweden, I think it’s just like a game, like a fun game. It’s a playful game until a little older when you start getting more serious. So don’t be no pressure. Just have fun and enjoy that.”

“He shared lots of things about what he did in the old times when he was a hockey player. He told us to keep practicing your skating, try to get control of the puck and practice our balance,” said Izabelle Marie Collado, a 10-year-old hockey player. “I felt so happy and excited. It was so great to see him in real life.”

“It’s very fun. It’s like you feel free when you go out there.”

Sun Youth offers a range of programs to families in need and their hockey development program is just one of them as it helps to remove financial barriers to help more children get on the ice and play.

“All the equipment is so expensive and ice time and everything, so I think this program is great to give the kids to have hockey as a hobby and enjoy this,” added Selänne.

“How to skate and trying to get the puck by the hockey sticks,” said John Gabriel Bance, an 11-year-old hockey player, about what he has been learning in the program.

Guinness Rider, the athletic director of Sun Youth explained, “To have access to something like this is absolutely incredible. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the kids, and of course, it’s a tremendous boost to our program.”

Rogers, who partners to support Sun Youth’s Hockey Development program, is also the parent company of CityNews and partner of Canada’s team at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

“Rogers is deeply committed to investing in Quebec and making a positive impact on our communities through the power of sport,” said Édith Cloutier, Regional President for Quebec, Rogers. “We’re excited to rally the province around 4 Nations Face-Off to help Sun Youth break down barriers and give more young people in Montreal the chance to play hockey.”

Additionally, Rogers, the NHL, and NHLPA announced that funds from the 4 Nations 50/50 in Montreal would go to the Sun Youth’s Development Program.

“This support from Rogers, the NHL, and the NHLPA will have a profound impact on the children and families we serve,” said Guinness Rider, Director of Community Services and Athletics, Sun Youth. “Hockey has the power to inspire and unite communities, and with these 50/50 proceeds, we can help make the game accessible to a greater number of deserving youth in Montreal.”

As for the tournament, Selänne says he likes Canada’s chances.

“Well, every time Canada is playing the tournament, they are favorites to win. So they played really well against Sweden in the first game. It was great hockey. And I think it’s always special when the best play against each other. So this is a good warm-up for next year’s Olympics,” he explained.

“And I think, you know, Canada and USA, they are favorites for sure. But you know, you never know, the old players are coming from the NHL and they play against each other all the time. So whoever is going to have a better day on that day is going to win.”

As for returning to Montreal for hockey, Selänne reminisced about his career saying, “I had a chance to play in the old Forum. I played my rookie year, I played the All-Star game here. What a great hockey city, you know, it doesn’t matter if you’re a two-year-old or 80-year-old, they just love hockey and hockey players. So it’s always been an honor to play here.”

While much of the spotlight is on who will win the 4 Nations Face-Off, some of the kids at the workshop are hoping that they too will play hockey on the highest level.

“I dream that I become a hockey player too, so I get to experience what the other hockey players get to experience on the ice,” said Collado.

Watch Finland and Sweden face off at 1 p.m. Saturday, followed by USA and Canada at 8 p.m. – both games on Sportsnet and Citytv.