Game On Magazine 2017 May 2017 | Page 82

SPORTS CENTRE Top Players Endorse New Canada Games Sport for Life Centre JEFF WOOD WITH HIS GROUP It will be called the Canada Games Sport for Life Centre and for longtime hockey high-performance training specialist Jeff Wood and Sport Manitoba’s Senior Manager of Athlete Development, Adam Decker, it is one of the most exciting times in Manitoba sports history. Located adjacent to Sport Manitoba at 145 Pacific Avenue, the new training centre will be a 200,000 square foot facility that will not only be home to many of the province’s National-level and professional athletes, it will also be home to an intense hockey training program for Manitoba’s most elite players. And even though it hasn’t opened yet, the players are already excited about it ADAM BROOKS Photos by Jeff Miller, Keith Hershmiller and courtesy Brendan Shinnimin, Adam Hughesman and the Canada Games Sport for Life Centre 82 GAME ON 2017 CHAMPIONS EDITION A dam Hughesman can’t wait for the opening of the Canada Games Sport for Life Centre. The 26-year-old member of Orli Znojmo in the Austrian Elite League plays pro hockey, which means the physical requirements of his game are always a work in progress. Brendan Shinnimin, meanwhile, spent the 2016-17 season with Astana Barys in the Kontinental Hockey League. He doesn’t have a contract (yet) for next season, so staying on top of his game will be of the utmost importance this coming summer. That’s why both players are so excited about the opening of the Canada Games Sport for Life Centre. “Me and Shinny were joking around. I think we’re going to live here,” said Hughes- man with a laugh. “This hockey program that Jeff and Adam are putting together looks special. Nolan Patrick, the potential first overall pick in the NHL Draft is com- ing to work out here. Adam Brooks, who is training to make the Toronto Maple Leafs next year, will be working out here. That says something about what’s going on here. I think it’s going to grow and I think every player who sees this should try to get in because I don’t think there are going to be any spots left.” Shinnimin agreed. When you know that a fellow-professional like Hughesman and