Summer may have decided to take the year off, but there definitely will be heat in the Comox Valley this summer.

Compton Sports Training Systems of Victoria is holding a HEAT (High Explosive Acceleration Training) hockey camp at the Comox Valley Sports Centre from Aug. 15-19.

The camp is for elite Midget and Junior level players and features seven-and-a-half hours of on-ice instruction and five hours of off-ice training. Emphasis is on acceleration, speed, shooting, hitting, stick handling, passing, shooting and game skills.

Registration is $300 (which includes a HEAT jersey) and space is limited to 25. To sign up, visit comptonsports.ca and click on Comox HEAT Hockey Camp 2011.

HEAT was developed by Jeff Compton, M.Sc. The strength and conditioning guru has worked with NHL teams (Dallas Stars, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks) and is a consultant for Hockey Canada, BC Hockey, and Nike Sparq. He has coached, played, and studied the game.

Compton has been teaching and developing athletes within a myriad of sports including: hockey, football, soccer, rugby, baseball, rowing, bicycling, and track and field for over 20 years using a unique and fun approach to deliver his expertise in Long Term Athletic Development (LTAD).

His facility in Victoria has NHLers Ryan O'Byrne, Adam Cracknell, Clayton Stoner and Jamie Benn skating with them. "Also, ex-NHLers turned pro in Europe Matt Pettinger and Matt Ellison are skating with us along with many other pros and up-and-coming Junior and Midget players," adds Jason Yee of Compton Sports.

"Most powerskating camps are based on techniques used to teach figure skating. HEAT, however, has been developed with leading edge, scientific, sport- specific training protocols. Coaches and players everywhere rave that HEAT's on-ice product is superior to other programs," Yee said.

"After taking part in a HEAT session or camp, players feel stronger, faster, quicker and have better balance. All of this contributes not only to increased performance and better ability to win races, but injury prevention as well."

Bill Brett, the local spokesperson for the camp, said that if it fills up Jeff Compton will attend. Brett notes that the timing of the camp is perfect for players preparing for their upcoming Midget and Junior seasons.

sports@comoxvalleyrecord.com