Henderson Silver Knights, Las Vegas Desert Dogs form summer camp

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - The Henderson Silver Knights and the Las Vegas Desert Dogs have teamed up this summer to create Camp 99.

The teams say it’s the most unique summer camp experience that combines hockey and lacrosse.

“More kids playing sports and if you’re introduced or playing at a certain level, you might find the one you like best or it gives you an option where you don’t have to play one sport 12 months a year, said VP Hockey Programming and Facility Operations, Darren Eliot. “I want all the families coming into our facilities 12 months a year, but to develop athletes you want to give them something more than just another private lesson.”

The Knights and Desert Dogs will host two separate four-day camps between July 22nd - August 1st, with coaches from each club leading the camp. Each week will feature six hours of ice time at America First Center for Hockey and six hours of turf time at Lee’s Family Forum for lacrosse, with lacrosse sticks being provided.

“One of our mandates was to become part of the fabric of Las Vegas and I think this is going to become a huge step for us,’ said Desert Dogs General Manager and Head Coach Shawn Williams. “To introduce our sport of lacrosse to a lot of new people, the support we’ve had is amazing, this camp will give it that extra little boost.”

Wayne Gretzky will forever be known as one of, if not, the greatest hockey players in history, but before he was the Great One on the ice, he was playing lacrosse. As the Las Vegas Desert Dogs co-owner, those two passions inspired ‘Camp 99.’

“It’s something we hope is an annual event, especially with the crossover of sport, Wayne Gretzky, Camp 99, all the jerseys the kids will be provided with will have 99 on the back,” explained Eliot.

“The perfect synergy,” said Williams. “Lots of NHLers past and present play lacrosse and love that Gretzky is one of our owners and we love how he always brings it up how much it helped him, shaped him, and being a full-rounded athlete. Hope to see more kids in Vegas doing the same thing.”

Camp registration is open now and available.

Camps are set for the weeks of July 22-25 (8-and-under and 10-and-under age groups) and July 29-August 1 (12-and-under and 14-and-under).

Each four-day camp will feature six hours of ice time at America First Center in Henderson and six hours of turf time at Lee’s Family Forum.

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