Do your kids love hockey? They'll love this place (9 photos)

KBX Hockey Club, owned and operated by Sault native and former NHLer Ken Belanger, received a $125,000 boost from the provincial government Friday.

Sault MPP David Orazietti was on hand to announce the funding.

Four new jobs have been created at KBX.

Belanger played left wing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings over the course of a 12-year NHL career that began in 1994 and ended in 2006.

KBX has been low-profile until now, having started off 18 months ago in a downtown location, before moving to its new location at 99 Industrial B Court (rear entrance) in May.

"We haven't really marketed (before now)…I wanted to fine tune with renovations, there were a lot of details with programs, there were a lot of things we wanted to make sure were in place before we got to full capacity," Belanger told SooToday.

"My boys play hockey, they love hockey, which motivated me to create an environment that kids are excited to come to," said the 41-year-old married father of four.

"We've really diversified."

"We've got birthday parties, a mini-stick league, dry land training, womens' bootcamp, shooting lessons, treadmills, we've got an XBox room, a birthday media room, there's no wasted space," Belanger said.

Anyone wanting more information on KBX programs can go to the company's website

Belanger says he has plans to expand the business as time goes by.

It's most important for kids to have fun, Belanger said.

"Hockey's really gone the wrong way, it's gone political, it's gone 'non-fun' for the kids, so we want to bring that passion and fun back into the game where kids just love what they're doing."

KBX offers kids the chance to work on their hockey skills such as passing and shooting, on synthetic ice, in a relaxed environment.

"You can't do that on an ice pad, first of all because of the cost of ice time, and here it's warm, you're more relaxed, it's not cold, we turn the music on in the background, so you don't realize you're working out," Belanger said.

"I think we're fortunate in Sault Ste. Marie to have someone of Ken Belanger's calibre set up something like this for young kids for skills development, to improve their hockey skills and knowledge of the game," Orazietti told SooToday.

"This is regardless of their skill level, something for kids of all levels, not just for the kid playing in the rec league or higher calibre players, this benefits children of all ages and all skill levels and it's being delivered by someone who knows the game and the business inside and out and has personal experience at the highest level that the game is played, and that's great for our community."

The full text of a release from David Orzietti follows.

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Orazietti announces $125,000 investment for new sports training facility

Ontario Continues to Support Youth and Local Businesses in Sault Ste. Marie

Sault Ste. Marie - The Ontario government’s Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation is investing $125,000 into a new sports training facility, announced David Orazietti, MPP.

“Our government is committed to investing in our youth, and that includes ensuring they lead healthy and active lives,” said Orazietti. “Today’s investment in the KBX Hockey Club will not only help our young athletes excel, but will also help strengthen the local economy and create jobs in Sault Ste. Marie.”

Former NHL player Ken Belanger will operate the new KBX Hockey Club facility, which will focus on specialized training for hockey players, goaltenders, lacrosse and ringette players and other athletes. 

The space features an indoor synthetic ice shooting lane and circuit training area. 

Some of the programs offered include team building training sessions, synthetic ice shooting sessions, birthday parties, youth fitness programs, women’s boot and fitness classes and student PD day and summer day camp programs.

Four new jobs will be created as a result of this investment: a full time manager and assistant manager, as well as a part-time key holder and customer service representative.

“We would like to thank the provincial government and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation for their support. Our KBX Hockey Sports Training Facility offers specialized hockey training with several on and off ice programs.   In addition to our Synthetic Ice Shooting and Skating Treadmill training equipment we offer a number of programs lead by our professional staff. We at KBX Hockey, as hockey parents in the community, strive to create equal opportunity programs that we feel are in the best interest for all developing athletes, ensuring players continue to develop and have fun while participating in this amazing game.  KBX Hockey continues to expand building strong community partnerships and offer new competitive hockey opportunities to players in the North,” said Ken Belanger, CEO, KBX Hockey Club.

Investing in youth is part of the government's economic plan for Ontario.

The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.

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(PHOTO: Sault native and former NHLer Ken Belanger chats with Sault MPP David Orazietti after a funding announcement in support of Belanger's KBX Hockey Club, November 20, 2015. Darren Taylor/SooToday)