He's only eight years old but already Jordan Chinapen is skating with the greats.The Atom Squamish Eagles hockey player joined Bobby Orr, Mike Bossy and Cassie Campbell on the ice at General Motors Place as part of the Chevrolet Safe & Fun Hockey program last Saturday (Oct. 18). The program is run in partnership with Hockey Canada and focuses on teaching young players skills and important values of the game.One of the biggest highlights of the event was getting a backstage pass into the dressing room where Canucks like Roberto Luongo gear up. They learned one of the biggest lessons there, too, said Jordan's mother Lee-Anne Chinapen."They stressed that we were not to step on the orca because it was bad luck," she said with a laugh about the mascot's sacred image on the dressing room floor.Although Jordan is too young to fully appreciate the legendary status of Hall of Fame defenceman Orr or nine-time 50-goal scorer Bossy, he picked up some important tips, he said."I learned that when you're on defence you always look at the chest," he said.The event's main focus was to encourage parents and kids to play the game for the love of it and for the life lessons it teaches. All too often kids are burdened by ambitions to reach the top level and lose track of why they started playing in the first place, said Orr in a news release."I'm worried that many young players never get to experience the pure enjoyment of the game. They are pressured by parents, by coaches, and each other. As parents, coaches, and teammates it is our responsibility to ensure that everyone leaves the arena with a positive experience to bring them back," he said.Chinapen and husband Al attended a parents' seminar before the kids hit the ice. The discussion reinforced the values that should surface in those frigid early morning practices and out-of-town tournaments. "It's not about becoming an NHL star because the per cent is less than one," said Chinapen. "It's more about going out, having fun, having a good experience, being responsible and respectful of your teammates. It's not just about hockey either. "It's about life skills that you learn because you play hockey and working as a team and respecting other people."
