Rail Yard Dawgs host summer hockey school

Local youth learn from pro players

ROANOKE, Va. – It may be hot outside but it has been a cool treat inside the Berglund Center this week, as the Rail Yard Dawgs hosted youth hockey school.

Local boys and girls took to the ice for a chance of a lifetime -- to be taught by professional players. Part owners- Brock, Tye and Jamie McGinn teamed up with the Valley Youth Hockey Association, to help teach the fundamentals of the game.

"We started early. It has sort of become second nature to us and that's what we're trying to do with these kids this week. You can definitely see a growth in there performance and skills," said Tye McGinn, who finished last season with the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL.

This was the second year that the brothers held a summer hockey school here in the Star City. They said the interest level at the youth level has risen, and there was an increase in this year's turnout.

"That passion for hockey is growing here with the Rail Yard Dawgs, and I think it's just growing within the youth hockey here, and it's nice to see," said Brock McGinn, who played with the Carolina Hurricanes last season.

The McGinns are trying to inspire the next generation, so they too can have a goal both on and off the ice.

"You see the NHL players come help out and it just brightens your eyes and you know, you see how hard they work and where they are and you want to do that one day. Hopefully some kids see where we are now and they work hard to get there one day because that would be amazing, and a feather in our cap for sure," said Jamie McGinn. He finished with 2016-2017 season with the Arizona Coyotes.

The McGinns say they look forward to continuing to give back to the Roanoke community.


About the Author:

Eric is no stranger to the Roanoke Valley. He is a Roanoke native and proud graduate of William Fleming High School.