A controversial summer hockey camp that teaches youth how to scrap on skates is attracting censure from critics who fear the youngsters are being groomed for hockey mayhem.

But organizers defend the fight camp, saying it teaches players to protect themselves.

"We're not trying to make it more fights in hockey," said Trevor Lakness, general manager of Puckmasters. "What we're doing is if kids get into fights, they're not going to get hurt, they're going to know how to protect themselves."

A Hockey Canada spokesman calls the program unnecessary.

"I think our message is pretty clear. It's not something that we're happy with and not something that we condone," said Glen McCurdie.

The Regina camp is the brainchild of Lakness and Minnesota Wild enforcer Derek Boogaard, who has had 26 fights in 113 games during his first two seasons with the team.

The two-hour lesson, which is held at the Puckmasters training facility and costs $40, instructs players from ages 12 to 18 on the art of on-ice fighting.

"Kids now go out on the rink and now they have the confidence that 'If I do get into a fight, I'm not going to get my butt kicked'," Lakness said.

Instructor Derek Parker said the mandate of the school is not to teach kids how to become teenaged bruisers, but to avoid black eyes themselves. "To get the most out of your players, you have to take the fear away so at least they can protect each other," he said.

The camp includes a fight tape that is a compilation of Derek Boogaard and his brother Aaron's junior and professional fights as well as television play-by-play that breaks down the science of the on-ice brawl.

The tape also shows the Boogaard brothers demonstrating the hockey fight "code," where they are seen easing up and skating away once their opponents fall to the ice.

After the film, students undergo a strenuous workout that includes cardio and crunches. Finally, they get on their equipment, a full-face shield and one boxing glove as instructors demonstrate proper technique.

'Goon school'

But as soon as the contentious program first began, concerned parents began dialing up the training centre and a local radio station, some describing it as "barbaric" and a "goon school."

Lakness defends the school from those critics, saying it's for the benefit of the young players.

"It's no different than karate -- why do people put their kids in karate? It's protection, it's an art," he said.

McCurdie said Hockey Canada is trying to limit fighting in minor hockey.

"It draws some negative attention to what's a really great sport and particularly a safe sport," he said. "Our record shows our safety record's very, very good, especially with minor hockey."

Despite the controversy, organizers say they want to run a similar camp next off-season.

"We'll keep doing this clinic as long as there's a demand for it. As long as there's fighting in the NHL," Lakness said.

One young hockey player, Brayden Gelsinger, says it's all part of the game.

"It's important because if you're in a situation where someone's pushing you around and stuff, you got to defend yourself and your teammates," Gelsinger said.

While Rich Hesketh, the Calgary Flames' fitness coach, said 12-year-olds are too young to learn how to fight, there is at least one dissenting opinion.

"If they're there teaching kids at the ages of 12, 13, 14 to defend themselves, that's fine," said Wayne Gretzky. "I took boxing classes when I was 10. It didn't pay off for me."

With a report from CTV's Sarah Galashan and CTV Regina's Lee Jones