Predators fan Hamilton inspires novice skaters

NASHVILLE --The Nashville Predators' run to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final contained lots of highlights, including a lineup of country music celebrities who performed the national anthem during the postseason. It helped strengthen the bond between the Predators and their fans.

Another notable name did his part for that cause this week. Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater Scott Hamilton taught a power skating session during the Predators Adult Prospect Camp, which concluded Friday.
"I come out here and it's not work, it's fun," said Hamilton, a Nashville-area resident and Predators fan who won gold at the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics. "I get to remember all of those times I was learning how to skate and all those years I played hockey.
"We get a child to sign up for Learn to Skate and we get their entire family, and that's what it's all about, building a community and creating a quality program where people can truly enjoy themselves and learn how to do something they've always wanted to learn how to do."

Campers were treated to a 90-minute on-ice session with Hamilton and were taught the fundamentals of skating. Learning the basics from someone who has accomplished so much made a big impression; in addition to his Olympic achievement, Hamilton survived testicular cancer in 1997 and recovered three times from benign brain tumors.
"Being around someone like Scott Hamilton was a true honor, not only for what he accomplished in his career as a figure skater, but for the inspiration he gives to those battling and overcoming cancer," said Justin Bradford, who attended the camp. "I was in awe most of the time because we were receiving skating lessons from a champion. What's made this camp so fun and unique is that we've had instruction from people like Scott, inspirational, funny and masters of their craft."
Hamilton has been involved with the Predators since 2014, when they collaborated to form the Scott Hamilton Skating Academy at Ford Ice Center in the Nashville area. He has been working with people in the community, including hockey players, ever since.

"That's the foundation of everything, is skating," Hamilton said. "A lot of guys, they come out and they see all the glamour of the stickhandling and shooting and all the fun things of playing in a team sport, but the foundation of it is still you've got to be able to skate."
Thousands of Predators fans jammed downtown Nashville during the Cup Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who won the best-of-7 series in six games, to show their support. Hamilton hopes to see that kind of support again this season.
"I'm really proud of the Predators organization," he said. "I'm really proud of the city and how they've embraced the Predators. It's just truly special."