From August 19 through 23, the LA Kings hosted 30 kids at the first annual Beijing Jr. Kings Camp as part of the team's partnership with Ocean 24’s client China-based company ORG Packaging.
There were plenty of Kings personalities in attendance, including alumni Peter Budaj and Derek Armstrong, Goaltending Coach Bill Ranford, Beijing Jr. Kings Head Coach Tim Watters and Beijing Jr. Kings Assistant Coach Hannah Westbrook and Beijing Jr. Kings Goalie Coach Nick Lehr.
Upon arrival at the camp, the kids were provided with a gift bag, t-shirt and Beijing Jr. Kings camp jersey.
The attendees, who ranged between ages 6-14, participated in four days of on-ice drills and dryland drills, with a mock NHL game on the final day.
During the mock NHL game, players were split into two teams, coached by Budaj and Watters, with Ranford and Armstrong acting as referees.
Each player was announced on the loudspeaker as they came onto the ice, before the Canadian and Chinese national anthems played.
Off the ice, the coaching staff participated in a variety of activities, including a Peking Duck dinner with Chairman of ORG Packaging Mr. Zhou. Plus, they visited historic attractions like the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City.
The parents of the Beijing Jr. Kings were also kind enough to host a traditional Chinese Hot Pot meal for everyone.
At the end of camp, each participant received a certificate of participation signed by each of the four coaches... and a lifetime of memories!
This upcoming season, the Beijing Jr. Kings will travel to LA to be part of an international tournament hosted by the Kings. During this trip, on January 29, the team will also be recognized at the Kings Chinese Heritage Night game presented by ORG Packaging.