Two women’s hockey rivals are on the same team in Whitehorse this week.

Team Canada defenceman Brigette Lacquette and Team USA forward Demi Crossman have joined forces for the 13th Annual Northwestel Summit Hockey School, underway this week at the Canada Games Centre.

“I’m so excited to be here and work with the kids – the turnout is amazing,” said Crossman, who made her first trip to Whitehorse to coach the camp.

“To help them work on the fundamentals and put them on the right track, it’s a great experience for me. It’s a lot of fun, coming here to Canada and bringing hockey across borders.”

The Learning to Lead hockey camp works with skaters ages five to 17, developing their on- and off-ice skills in a fun-filled environment.

Presented by Northwestel in partnership with the Yukon Indian Hockey Association, the hockey school provides skaters with ice time, strength and cross-sport training, as well as access to world-class instruction.

Lacquette is a silver medallist at the 2015 IIHF women’s world championships and a national Tom Longboat Award winner as an outstanding First Nations player, while Crossman is a NCAA athlete who earned a silver medal at the U18 IIHF world championships in 2012.

Off-ice workouts are being led by lacrosse player Nathan Wilson and fitness trainer Brian Kozak, who has experience working with some of hockey’s top athletes.

The coaching is elite, but the main goals of the camp are having fun and learning important leadership skills. A swim and a healthy lunch are also part of the daily schedule.

“Participants will improve as players, but the most important thing is that they enjoy the game,” said Joe Martin, longtime coach and organizer of the program.

“We want to give players access to the knowledge and experience of a world-class coaching staff, but in a low-pressure environment.”

The camp provides an opportunity to work on the fundamentals and improve in the off-season without the financial and time demands of travelling to a camp outside the territory.

To ease the burden on local families, Northwestel contributed $10,000 in funding, extending its longtime partnership with a program that allows players to develop close to home.

“It’s important for kids to be active and stay engaged in the game over the summer months, but the costs of travelling with young players out of town can be prohibitive,” Northwestel president and CEO Paul Flaherty said in a press release.

“When we can provide a fun, affordable option here in the North, everyone benefits. This is a chance for our local talent to learn from the best, and to embrace the sport we love in the community we call home.”

Martin, the newly minted G.M. and head coach of the BCHL’s Jr. A Merritt Centennials, is also hosting a three-day ID camp for local midget- and junior-aged players alongside Dale Hladun, head coach with the KIJHL’s Jr. B 100 Mile House Wranglers.

The midget/junior showcase was slated to begin last night.