Kanata Kourier-Standard
A new partnership between the Kanata Lasers and Holy Trinity Catholic High School will see a hockey academy program hit the ice this September.
Based on the Hockey Canada Skills Academy model, students enrolled in the program will have one class in the first semester dedicated to their on-ice development, said John Hill, operations manager for the Kanata Lasers.
“It’s a big move for us to get kids who may not be in our organization but who want to get more time on the ice,” said Hill. “It’s a complete program.”
Hockey Canada recently accredited the local program.
Paul Robert, educational liaison with the Lasers, approached a number of school boards and junior A teams to create skills academies this year.
Programs are also being launched in Brockville, Carleton Place and Cornwall this fall. The Kanata academy is the only one in Ottawa, said Robert.
“Hopefully next year this venture will grow,” he said. “It’s a win-win-win for everybody involved.”
The program will diversify the curriculum, possibly bring in new students to the schools involved and draw more exposure for the junior A teams, said Robert.
“But the ones who will benefit the most will be the students enrolled in the program,” he said.
“They’re able to go on the ice a minimum of three times a week with the most qualified instructor in Kanata.”
Jeff Jordan, head coach of the Kanata Lasers junior A and midget AAA teams, and former assistant coach of the Ottawa 67’s, will run the on-ice instruction at the Kanata Recreation Complex.
“The skills academy provides players with an opportunity to get extra ice time and develop their skills as part of the curriculum,” said Jordan. “For us it’s a great opportunity. I'm really anxious to see it take off.”
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
The Kanata program is open to grade 11 and 12 students – boys and girls – in all levels of hockey. About 15 to 20 spots are being offered for the first semester, which runs September to January.
The only restriction is students must be registered for classes at Holy Trinity, said Robert.
“If someone is interested, they’ll have to ask for a transfer to Holy Trinity,” he said, adding the parents will be responsible for transportation to the school in the morning and from the rink in the afternoon.
A study space will be provided at the rink following instruction where students can wait to be picked up by their parents.
The program costs $2,000, which covers the ice rental at the Kanata Recreation Complex, busing to the rink and paying the instructors.
“For the cost it’s very affordable,” said Robert. “It’s cost recovery based – that means they’re not making money – the school is not making money, the Lasers are not making money.”
The skills academy isn’t a league and is not competitive, he stressed. Instead, the program aims to help players develop on-ice skills they wouldn’t otherwise have time to work on.
“Here the mandate is totally different – there’s no team. You're there to improve the player, not improve the team,” said Robert.
The program will also bring in sports physiotherapists, nutritionists and other professionals who can help players develop their game, said Hill.
The Hockey Canada Skills Academy model aims to make hockey better by increasing the amount of ice time players receive. It promotes co-operation between school boards and hockey associations to better use available ice time – which is often during school hours.
“The problem is everybody wants the ice from 6 to 10 (p.m.),” said Hill. “That’s why we want to do a skills academy and use the ice during the day.”
For more information on the program, email skillsacademy@kanatalasers.com
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