Six years ago, Ethan Rill started a roller hockey league at the Palisades Recreation Center with the encouragement of his 10-year-old daughter Callista. Rill had moved to Pacific Palisades from Toronto to “spread the gospel of hockey” to a new generation of kids. Two weeks ago, the spring season concluded and players of all ages showed up to bid their mentor farewell. Rill is moving back to Toronto to continue his coaching, but he leaves a lasting legacy behind. “Thanks to Ethan I’ve had the great experience of traveling with my ice hockey team throughout North America and have met players from all over the world,” said 12-year-old Hunter Van Duzer, who started playing roller hockey at the park five years ago. “He has really changed my life.” Rill started as a volunteer at the park coaching 12 children. Thanks to his passion for hockey, parents have since fundraised nearly $50,000 to help build a portable rink at the park, where well over 200 kids have learned how to roller skate and have caught the highly contagious hockey bug. Rill wanted all children to have access to hockey, so he started an ice hockey program at the Valley Ice Center in Panorama City for children with special needs. Many of the players who first learned how to skate on the Rec Center blacktop are still pursuing their hockey dreams. Some now playing ice hockey at the club level, the AAA level and even at prep schools. The torch has been passed to capable hands, however, as Justin Blaszak will now direct the park program. He has played competitive ice hockey and has well over 15 years’ worth of experience in roller and ice hockey. He brings to the job strategy, team building, youth development and personal skill advancement in the sport. Blaszak, a California native, is eager to offer children of all ages and abilities a well-rounded experience. Call the Rec Center at 310-454-1412 for early registration in August and possible summer hockey clinics.
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