Hockey Opportunity Camp in Ontario is fortunate to have directors and staff with extraordinary depth and quality of experience – giving our parents peace of mind that their children will be well cared for as they are challenged to explore & grow during their time at summer camp.
Keith Murray
CAMP DIRECTOR/HOCKEY DIRECTOR
The summer of 2025 will be my 26th summer at HOC, once again fulfilling the dual roles of Camp Director and Hockey Director, which I’ve been doing since retiring in June 2022, as an elementary school administrator.
HOC’s Executive Director Kevin McLaughlin and I are close friends, having first met back in 1989 when I originally came onboard as HOC’s Hockey Director. After all these years working together, we function together pretty much seamlessly, always prioritizing our camper centric focus. I look forward to working this summer with Kevin, our Senior Staff Team, our Camp Staff, and our Hockey Staff, to provide the “ultimate hockey and summer camp experience” for our campers.
I am a big believer in the value of summer camp, having been a camper at the original Haliburton Hockey Haven (HHH) as a child, a counsellor/instructor/canoe tripper at Camp Nominingue, Quebec in my youth, and then returning to HHH as a hockey instructor/assistant hockey director, prior to landing at HOC.
HOC is a huge piece of who I am, and who my own children are. Both Sean and Rachel grew up at HOC, spending many summers as campers and then as staff - Sean as a member of the waterski staff and Rachel most recently as the Director of Staff Development.
HOC is a special place. I can’t wait for the summer of 2025. It’s going to be epic!
Keith's Resume:
- Forty years in education, as a teacher, mentor, administrator, recognized for strong leadership, building successful relationships, developing and empowering people, while always prioritizing the needs of the student
- B.A. – Western, B. Ed. – Toronto, Grad Studies Ed. Admin. – Alberta
- Specialist - Physical and Health Education
- Specialist – Special Education
- A lifetime in hockey - player, coach, instructor, development coordinator, mentor coach, general manager, administrator, hockey director, scout
- 20+ years coaching experience, holding a High Performance 1 Certificate with the National Coaching Certification Program
- 25 years as Hockey Director at Hockey Opportunity Camp
- Currently Head Scout, University of Guelph Gryphons, Men’s Varsity Hockey
If you have any questions or concerns, email me directly at keith@learnhockey.com
Kristina Graham, Camper Since 2010
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Hello Parents and Campers,
My name is Kristina, and I am one of the Assistant Directors here at camp. I am a long-time HOC staff member and an Ontario Certified Teacher. From attending HOC as a camper and completing the Counsellor In Training Program, to becoming a Counsellor, Section Head and Counselling Director, HOC has been my second home for 15 remarkable years.
Although I am not originally from Northern Ontario, I love every part of it. I have been fortunate enough to spend my post-secondary years in the North Bay area attending Nipissing University in the Concurrent Education Program. I live locally in Sundridge with an Australian Shepherd named Maverick (Yes, he will be attending camp). Outside of camp, I’m involved in various activities such as competing with the North Bay Figure Skating Club, teaching CanSkate with the South River Skating Club, and being a volunteer firefighter for the Sundridge Strong Fire Department.
Summer camp is an opportunity that every child should experience in their lifetime. As I reflect back on my experience as both a camper and a staff member, the opportunities and life lessons I have learned here at camp are irreplaceable. The new skills, life lessons, and experiences simply cannot be taught in our traditional classroom setting and everyday interactions. I look forward to welcoming you and your family into our camp community.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to me directly at kristina@learnhockey.com
Heidi Hayes
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Hello Parents and Campers,
I’m Heidi, one of the Assistant Directors here at HOC.
I first joined the HOC staff team in 2018 as the Kayak Instructor. I then ran and developed our Staff Development Program and was, most recently, the Counselling Director. HOC has changed my life forever, from meeting my life partner Jake to creating my closest friendships and making my most cherished memories.
I graduated from Trent University with a Bachelors Degree in Developmental Psychology. During my five years at Trent, I was the starting Setter and Captain for the Women’s Varsity Volleyball Team. I am an active volunteer and inspirational speaker for the Canadian Cancer Society. I love going on canoe trips, hiking, gardening, downhill skiing, playing sports, and enjoying a cup of coffee on the porch. My partner Jake and I recently moved to South River with our dog Yogi (Yes, he will also be attending camp). We are excited to begin this new chapter of our lives in this beautiful Northern environment.
Being a part of the HOC Community has been the greatest pleasure of my life. Watching campers and staff grow and develop lifelong friendships and skills is what makes my job the greatest job in the world!
Please never hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns heidi@learnhockey.com
