This summer, Fernie Ghostriders’ Athletic Therapist Ashley Springle gave several young athletes ages 9–13 the opportunity to “Train Like a Ghostrider “during a six-session dryland hockey camp at Fernie Mountain Fitness.
Ashley Springle “ A special thank you goes to Jana, owner of Fernie Mountain Fitness, for organizing and hosting this fantastic opportunity for local youth.
Rider News: Ashley, this is the first time I’ve seen a dryland camp put on for the general public, what gave you that idea?
Ashley “As the Athletic Therapist and Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Fernie Ghostriders Junior Hockey Club, I wanted to give young players an introduction to off-ice training in a fun, supportive environment. The goal wasn’t simply to make stronger hockey players—it was to help these athletes build confidence in the gym, learn proper training techniques, and understand how taking care of their bodies can improve both performance and long-term health”.
Rider News: So exactly what did you have the young athletes doing in the camp?
Ashley: “Throughout the two weeks, we focused on strength training while incorporating hockey-specific movement patterns designed to improve speed, agility, power, balance, and footwork. For many of the participants, it was their first experience lifting weights. By the end of the six sessions, the improvement in their movement quality, confidence, and lifting technique was remarkable.”
Rider News: What did you notice as the sessions went on ?
Ashley: One of the most rewarding aspects of the camp was watching the team culture develop. The athletes quickly learned that success isn’t about being better than the person beside you—it’s about becoming the best version of yourself while helping your teammates do the same. They challenged themselves, encouraged one another through difficult workouts, and celebrated each other’s accomplishments. Seeing the kids cheer for their friends, push each other to finish strong, and build genuine camaraderie was just as rewarding as seeing their physical improvements.
Rider News: Was there anything that stood out for you as their trainer ?
Ashley: Without question, the biggest highlight of the camp was the sled push competitions, which took place on three of the six training days. The athletes loved the challenge, and the friendly competition brought incredible energy to every session. It was exciting to watch them push themselves beyond what they thought they were capable of while supporting their teammates every step of the way.
Rider News: So there was noticeable improvement after just a week of training ?
Ashley: Programs like Train Like a Ghostrider are about much more than developing stronger athletes. They help young players build confidence, resilience, discipline, and positive training habits that will benefit them both on and off the ice. Watching these athletes embrace hard work, encourage one another, and leave the gym stronger than when they arrived made the camp an incredible success.
Thank you again to Jana and Fernie Mountain Fitness for making this program possible, and to all of the young athletes who brought such enthusiasm, determination, and positivity to every session. The future of hockey in our community is bright, and it was a privilege to be part of these athletes’ development
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