'Some of the best hockey players of all time were the ones who continued to learn,' stated Summit Hockey School instructor Steve Martell, following an on-ice session Thursday.

The same could be said about the best coaches of all time, or even the best coaches currently in the National Hockey League each one always passing on their knowledge to those who follow in their footsteps.

'Mike Babcock (the newly-appointed head coach of the Detroit Red Wings) always says R and S,' stated local coach Joe Martin, who recently returned from a high performance coaching clinic at the University of Manitoba. 'Rob and steal off of every coach you think has something to say.

'It works for him obviously.'

Martin was also privy to the secrets of other NHL coaches, including Vancouver's Marc Crawford, Los Angeles' Andy Murray, Philadelphia's Wayne Fleming and Team Canada's Marc Habscheid. And Babcock wasn't the only one with the R and S style.

'Right beside me was Marc Crawford, writing down everything (the other coaches) were saying,' said Martin.

Of course, Martin used that advice to pick up his own tips from the clinic, from how important it is to be prepared for each game and each practice to new ideas for the powerplay, which could come in handy when he co-coaches this season's midget rep team with fellow Summit instructor Mike Young.

Young also attended a high performance coaching clinic this summer, in Alberta. Both men are aiming to complete their High Performance One, or Level 3, coaching certificate by the end of the year, since it's needed for the 2007 Canada Winter Games.

And the recent coaching clinics left both of them eager to teach what they've learned at this year's hockey school, which is running this week at Takhini Arena in Whitehorse. By all accounts Thursday, the school had once again been achieving success, with registration numbers near 100.

'We've heard nothing but positives from the parents,' said Martin. 'The kids are really tired. They're being worked hard.

'We're teaching them things that they didn't know and we're learning stuff we didn't know. It's a learning experience for everybody.'

It's a bit of a new situation for Martell this year, as he takes over where Danny Flynn the former head coach at Saint Francis Xavier University and former NHL coach of the year Ted Nolan. Nolan, who had previously attended two of the Summit Hockey Schools, had to pull out because of a new coaching job in junior hockey, and he was joined by Flynn.

But it hasn't been a stretch at all for Martell, who is an excellent leader in his own right, as head coach at Sir Wilfred Laurier University.

'I've been coaching hockey schools for probably 20 years, so I'm more than familiar,' said Martell. 'Senior guys like Ted, Mike (Johnston, the assistant coach of the Vancouver Canucks and former Summit instructor) and Danny are experienced ... but certainly I don't think we've dropped the intensity at all this year.'

Martell said it's been nice to see the improvement in the local players this year, especially when it comes to their work ethic.

For instructor Brandon Nolan, it's the first time he's set foot in the Yukon. Brandon, the son of Ted Nolan, was asked to make the trip north when his father pulled out.

'Anytime you get the chance to do hockey schools and help out with kids, you should jump on it,' said the modest forward, who played three years in the Ontario Hockey League before being chosen by New Jersey in the 2001 NHL entry draft.

The 22-year-old couldn't come to terms on a deal with the Devils and reentered the draft in 2003, where he was taken by Vancouver.

'(This hockey school) is really well run. It's one of the top ones I've been to. There's good instructors that really want to teach the young guys.'

Brandon said he was pleasantly surprised by the level of talent in the hockey school, which includes all ages. He admitted he didn't know they would be such a tough bunch, or that there would be 'diamonds in the rough.'

He's hoping to be a diamond himself this season, for the Canucks. He was in his first season with the Moose in 2004-05, unfortunately breaking his hand at the end of the regular season, forcing him to to watch the playoff run from the sidelines.

But he will be attending the Canucks camp this year, and Vancouver Assistant Coach Mike Johnston said last summer that Brandon was already close to cracking the lineup.

'I'm just looking forward to getting a chance to play in the NHL,' said Brandon. 'It's going to be a young league this year, with the new (salary) cap in place. If you're looking to make the NHL as a young guy, this is the year to do it.'

Brandon has been working on his strength over the summer, trying to put on a little weight in anticipation of the new season. While he still has a couple of things he'd like to work on skill wise, he said the Canucks have been very patient with him.

'I'm still only 22 years old, so it's going to come over the next couple of years.'

The most important thing for young athletes, he said, is to work hard and just have fun.

'If you're not having fun, there's no point in playing the game.'

The annual Summit Hockey School began on Monday and wraps up this evening, with a game featuring the elite players versus the instructors and some older local players.