LA Kings Host “We Are All Kings” Youth Camp
AEG’s LA Kings recently hosted the club’s first week-long “We Are All Kings Camp” at the Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo on August 2-7. Free for children ages 5-and-up, the camp focused on introducing new players to the game of hockey.
The camp, presented by Blue Shield of California, was led by Blake Bolden, the club’s AHL Scout and Growth and Inclusion Specialist – and the first Black professional women’s hockey player after graduating college – Daryl Evans, Derek Armstrong and the Kings hockey development team. Participants also met LA Kings prospect and current Ontario Reign forward Akil Thomas.
“We feel it is very important to help ensure every fan and anyone who wants to try hockey, feels not only welcome, but has that opportunity, and the We Are All Kings Camp is a tremendous opportunity to introduce or advance the skills of the game to these great kids and their families,” said Kings Chief Operating Officer Kelly Cheeseman.
Participating players represented local youth organizations including the Power Project, Hawthorne Force, Playworks, NLMUSD and YMCA.
The camp included on-ice and off-ice time each day, with participants having the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the game in a low-pressure environment, with the teaching of several former professional players, as well as trained professionals within the organization.
“The kids brought a lot of energy to the ice,” said Blake Bolden, the club’s AHL Scout/Growth and Inclusion Specialist. “Their positive attitudes were infectious, and this unique experience is going to be a special memory they carry with them for a long, long time.”
Following We Are All Kings Camp is the team’s annual KINGS CAMP, which first began more than 30 years ago and takes place in El Segundo from August 9-13. Click here for more information on KINGS CAMP.
