CHARLOTTETOWN – Hockey Canada and Hockey P.E.I. recently approved two additional skills academies beginning in the 2018-19 season.
The two new schools joining the program are Stonepark Junior High School and Kensington Intermediate-Senior High School (KISH).
"Kensington Intermediate High School is thrilled to be able to offer the Hockey Canada Skills Academy for peewee and bantam-age players from KISH and students at Queen Elizabeth Elementary,” said KISH principal Donald Mulligan. “This program, with experienced instructors, will help develop hockey skills both on and off the ice for our youth.”
Following the 1999 Molson Open Ice Summit, 11 recommendations were identified for the future of Canadian hockey. One recommendation was to promote cooperative efforts between school boards, local hockey associations and sponsors to better utilize ice times and school facilities, and move towards the development of Hockey Canada Skills Academies.
“In order to get the most out of arenas during weekday hours – when most minor hockey players are in school – Hockey Canada believes that a skills academy for hockey was a beneficial program to grow and develop the game,” read a media release issued by Hockey P.E.I. “With that in mind, the Hockey Canada Skills Academy program is a partnership between Hockey Canada and its 13 member branches.”
Challenge participants
The release goes on to say the academies are designed to challenge and inspire participants.
“It is a complete program that includes education, on-ice skills, off-ice strength and conditioning, mental training and personal and team development,” continued the release. “On-ice sessions include hockey fundamentals such as skating, puck handling, passing and tactics.
“When students are not on ice they are exposed to sport specific fitness training, floorball, stick handling and shooting. This is a great program for those students wanting to enhance their current skill set, and also provides an opportunity to introduce the game to students new to hockey who want to play for the first time.”
Each academy will set their own registration guidelines, but programs are open to both male and female students and players of all levels.
“With the success of skills academies with other schools on P.E.I., and over 120 registered hockey players at Stonepark from local minor hockey associations and others who love the sport but don’t play organized hockey, we are excited to provide players of all skill levels a chance to learn more about the game, improve their skills, and connect that with school and academics,” said Mike Smith of Stonepark Junior High School.
Birchwood Junior High School, East Wiltshire Junior High School, École Évangéline and Queen Charlotte Junior High School also operate Hockey Canada Skills Academies.
