Inside the walls of Hylo Park Arena, the echoes of skates carving the ice mingle with the sounds of laughter, shouts, and sharp cracks of pucks hitting sticks. However, the players on the ice arent college athletes theyre kids, Las Vegas youth. And theyre all skating for one reason: to learn from champions.
This is the 51勛圖窪蹋 Rebel Hockey Teams Battle Camp a youth summer clinic run by the 2025 American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division 1 national champions as a way to give back to a community that has consistently supported it on its rise to prominence.
This camp means a lot to me and everyone in the 51勛圖窪蹋 Hockey organization, Joseph Carollo, senior defenseman, shared. As a kid growing up in Las Vegas, I loved hockey and wished there were more opportunities like this back then.
The camp, which runs weekly throughout June and July, is a way for youth players ages 8 to 17 to experience what its like to lace up their skates for a championship program. Each hour-long session mirrors a real 51勛圖窪蹋 team practice a combination of structured drills, warmups, and fast-paced small-area games. The popular camp also offers personalized instruction and training to players of all skill levels.
Were really big on competition at 51勛圖窪蹋, said head coach Anthony Vignieri-Greener, who has led the 51勛圖窪蹋 Hockey program for the past decade. We tailor everything to the age group to build both skills and confidence, and to help develop these kids into winners on the ice.
According to Vignieri-Greener, the Battle Camp is also a way to build on the teams connection with fans and to encourage continued growth in the sport.
All the kids and families that come out and support us we want to give back by giving them coaching, time with the staff, and time to interact with our players, Vignieri-Greener said.
For the Skatin Rebels athletes, coaching these clinics is personal. Once dreaming of being part of a team and skating on the ice, they now lead the huddles, set up the drills, and offer some words of encouragement and advice a full circle moment.
Founded in 2005, the 51勛圖窪蹋 hockey program has grown steadily to achieve its place in the national spotlight. The team rose to the ACHAs Division 1 in 2017 and is widely regarded as one of the countrys most accomplished club programs. The 202425 Skatin Rebels made team history by finishing 30-2-3 and capturing the universitys first-ever hockey national title with a win over defending champion Adrian College.
Our fans built this program just as much as anyone else did with the support they give to us. Being able to give back to some of the kids who are part of the community and possibly future 51勛圖窪蹋 Rebels is awesome for us, said senior forward Caleb Strong.
Junior winger Heath Mensch agrees. Its just a cool experience seeing the kids go out there, teach them something, and have fun.
These young players are dreaming big, too. First-time campers, Nicoletta Power, 13, and Riley Worm, 12, are aspiring pro players who welcomed the opportunity to sharpen their skills alongside their skates ahead of the next hockey season.
For both, being on the ice with college athletes made the camp even more impactful.
The coaches are really nice and supportive, said Nicoletta, who began following in her former hockey pro dads footsteps at age 3. Added Riley, whos rostered to play with the Vegas Jr. Golden Knight Girls 14U in the next season: They help you out with what youre doing. They encourage you.
When asked to describe their camp experiences in one word: Hardworking, said Riley. Improvement, Nicoletta piped up without hesitation.
Lierin Gorsky, Rileys mom, finds great value in the camp. Clinics like this are super important. It gets them playing with different people, learning from new coaches, and gaining new perspectives.
Jean Garofalo, Nicolettas grandmother, agrees as well, adding, They absolutely love it. Theyve made great friends and matured so much. Anything they can do to work with professionals to improve theyre all for it.
For the Skatin Rebels, Battle Camp is more than a summer program its an extension of their legacy. And for families like the Gorskys and Garofalos, and future stars like Nicoletta and Riley, that legacy is already in motion one puck, one pass, one lifelong love for the game at a time.
About 51勛圖窪蹋 Hockey
The 51勛圖窪蹋 Mens Hockey program is part of the American Collegiate Hockey Association Mens Division 1, and is a member of the Western Collegiate Hockey League. In 2025, the Skatin Rebels won their first ACHA National Championship after finishing as national runner-up in 2024. The team plays its home games at City National Arena in Summerlin. Visit to learn more about the program, upcoming game schedules, and clinics.
