East Hill Elementary School launches new ice hockey program

East Hill Elementary School in Rivière des Prairies has introduced a new hockey program which will take place on pedagogical days, with plans to expand it in the coming years.

On Friday, November 10 six players from the Junior AAA Montreal East Rangers joined the 17 children enrolled in the program, who are in Grades 3 to 6, at the Glaces de l’Est in RDP.

The program is run by  Nick Romano, Gianni Cantini and Tony Bocchichio from GNT Hockey. Romano is a former professional player, who has now been in  player development for eight years. Cantini is head coach of the Laval/Montreal Midget Espoir while Bocchicho  has been an elite level coach for 20 years.

“We do on and off ice training,” Romano explains.  “We will also be participating in a few jamboree tournaments with the kids. We hope to build on the program in the coming years.”

Rangers players who hit the ice with East Hill Friday were  goalie Dimitri Chatziiliou, as well asMitch Wilkie, John Camp,  Matis Possa and EMSB grads Salvatore Bucaro, Steven Iannidinardo.

East Hill Principal Steven Rebelo said he is excited to see this hockey program get underway. He has personal experience with the Sports-Études program at Lester B. Pearson High School and a Sports Concentration program Gerald McShane Elementary School, where he also served as principal.

About the English Montreal School Board

With a youth and adult sector population of more than 35,000 students, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is the largest English public school board in Quebec. Established on July 1, 1998, when the province created new boards along linguistic lines, the EMSB network consists of 77 schools and centres. For more details, visit the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca.