Annual Goaltending Camp For Kids Begins

DULUTH, Minn.– Duluth residents are known for its love of hockey, and even the summer sun can’t stop them.

Hockey camp for goalies kicked off Sunday for kids in the northland, and it’s all thanks to a certain NHL goaltending coach.

More than 20 years ago, Mitch Korn, who is currently the director of goaltending for the New York Islanders, started hockey training camps here in Duluth. He says his focus with these camps is on the basic goalie skills, and bringing a positive impact to the hockey community.

“I really do believe we do good work, and we have a great , positive impact on the kids that are in camp. Those that are local that work with us. and I like to believe we are bringing something to the local hockey community,” Mitch Korn, the Director of Goaltending For New York Islanders, said.

With a sport that never stops in the Northland, the camp works on endurance, speed, skill, and of course having fun. Korn says that goalie camp is all about showing up, and bringing your “A” game.

“Everybody thinks it’s just stop the puck, just stop the pick, and there’s many nuances. We are on the ice four hours a day, for four days. We are in the classroom three hours a day, for four days, and we still can’t cover everything,” said Korn.

Even though his career has brought him all over the country, Korn continues to bring his goalie camp back to Duluth, as he says he loves the city and the passion so many have for hockey here.

“We came here because there’s a hockey population, so this was a perfect place because there were so many potential hockey people,” Mitch said.

He says that when you’re coaching young kids and teenagers, the focus is simply on the love of the sport.

“This is pure, there’s no score board, there’s no agendas, there’s no contracts, there’s no big stars you have to cater to. This is pure, we just try to make their goaltending life , and the life lessons we teach them, make them one day better,” the NHL goaltending coach said.

Mitch and his staff also have a defenseman camp during the off season. The camps work with more than 80 kids, ages 9 to 18.

If you want to learn more and sign up your child for this goalie camp, visit the Essentia Health Sports Center website.