It’s been a full year since the official launch of Hockey Moves, Ontario's up-and-coming hockey development organization, offering camps, clinics, skill development, and pure hockey fun.
What started as one hockey player’s dream has become a growing family business.
Jake Mortley, 25, has had a passion for hockey since he was a youngster and his dad first taught him how to skate at the local outdoor rink. For nearly 20 years, Mortley obsessively poured himself into improving at hockey.
Both he and his older brother, Randy, chased their dreams of playing the highest level of hockey they could in Canada, the U.S.A, and Sweden.
For years, Mortley has pictured himself eventually using his hockey skills to run kids’ hockey camps. Growing up, he spent many hours helping out at other local hockey camps and loved the idea of running something of his own.
In 2019, he launched his first Hockey Moves camp in Coldwater with coaching support from two other local hockey players and marketing support from his sister and her husband.
He planned to do more in 2020, but the pandemic brought his plans to a halt.
Mortley’s sister, Lydia Bennett, who is nearly 10 years older than her brother, has operated a video production and marketing business with her husband, Cole, for over a decade. In 2019, the two of them helped Mortley launch the Hockey Moves brand –– the logo, website, photo and video, etc.
In February 2023, Mortley decided to take another shot at running hockey camps and during a FaceTime call between him and Cole, while working out some details on the website, Bennett stuck her head into the frame and proposed a partnership.
She and Cole would manage the administration and marketing side of things, as well as the upfront investment, and Mortley could focus on delivering high-quality hockey experiences and building relationships with the local community –– a 50/50 partnership.
Mortley wanted to think about it. Minutes after hanging up, he texted Cole: “We go 50 50. Happy to do this with you guys. Really happy.”
Following Bennett’s advice, Mortley decided to run March Break camps, not only in Coldwater but also in Rama and Wasaga Beach. Combining a mix of Facebook and Instagram ads, and local posters and postcards, the camps began to fill.
While many hockey camps only cater to elite players, Hockey Moves offers camps for kids in house league to AAA. The instructors group kids according to skill level and adapt drills so each player improves and has fun.
Beyond the camps, Hockey Moves offers small-group skill development, where dedicated players or rep teams are pushed to improve over 4-6 weeks.
With March Break 2024 next week, the Hockey Moves team has been busy ramping things up. Mortley is running small group development throughout the week, and preparing for March break camps in Coldwater, Orillia, Midland, Gravenhurst, Elmvale, and Rama.
Registration is also now open for Hockey Moves Summer camps taking place in Orillia, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Midland, Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, Barrie, Innisfil, and Alliston.
You can learn more about Hockey Moves by visiting their website hockeymoves.ca.
