Ex-NHLer Sopel holds free all-girls camp

Brent Sopel wants to see more girls actively involved in hockey, and the former Stanley Cup-winning defenseman is willing to do his part.

Having played with Saskatoon and Swift Current of the Western Hockey League prior to his 13-year NHL career, Sopel gave back to the area this past week by hosting the first-ever free all-girls camp.

"Essentially, what I want (is for them) to go back and build this camp little by little, year by year, just by the word of mouth, that they had a great time," the 38-year-old Sopel told the CBC. 

Sopel's "Academy of Defense" camps are designed to help players hone their skills involving drills both on and off the ice, ranging from shot blocking and game simulation to nutrition and core training. Sopel dismissed the $950 registration fee, telling the girls' families that the money would be refunded to promote additional camps.

Sopel began his NHL career with Vancouver in 1998-99, and played with the New York Islanders, Los Angeles, Winnipeg and Montreal while ultimately winning the Stanley Cup with Chicago in 2010.

(h/t: CBC)

Photo Credit: Andre Ringuette/Getty Images