Located in Caronport, SK, 20 minutes west of Moose Jaw, Prairie Hockey Academy joined the CSSHL in 2018/19 and currently competes in the U15, U17, U17 Prep and U18 Prep divisions.
PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY AND MISSION STATEMENT
Daily Pursuit of Developing Life Champions Through the Power of Hockey
LIST OF TEAMS
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- U18 Prep
- U17 Prep
- U17
- U15
LOCATION AND YEAR THE PROGRAM ENTERED THE CSSHL
Located in Caronport, Sask., the Prairie Hockey Academy entered the Canadian Sport School Hockey League in 2018.
EDUCATION
- Partner School
- What are some of the things your program does to provide educational support?
- “We have a student support centre staffed with student support teachers, who create individual learning plans and student assistance. We have study halls every evening for 60-90 minutes and study periods on all travel days and away weekends. The High School is connected to Briercrest College, which gives high school students access to upper-class humanities student-run academic success centre and tutors.”
- How are grades monitored and how often?
- “All classes, assignments, and grades are organized and available on Canvas (website and app). Teachers, students, parents and coaches have access to the student-athlete’s Canvas account. We have weekly meetings with BCA administrators to discuss our student-athletes current academic standing and eligibility.”
- How are courses and the graduation path for student athletes chosen?
- “The school’s Principal is our academic liaison and works with each student-athlete’s specific graduation path.”
- Do you have an academic probation policy?
- “Our academic probation policy is implemented and monitored in partnership with Briercrest Christian Academy.”
RESIDENTIAL LIFE
- Do you offer a billeting program or a dormitory for non-local student athletes?
- “The school manages on-campus dormitories staffed by a Residence Director, an Assistant Residence Director, and three or four Residence Advisors. Additionally, one or two upper-class college students reside on each floor, serving as older siblings and role models for high school students in the dorm.”
- What kind of life skills to the student-athletes learn by living in the dorms or with billets?
- The dorm encourages a high level of self-discipline and maturity.
- Student-athletes must keep their rooms clean and do their laundry at the dorms. Some students take advantage of the dorm kitchen to prepare personal meals.
STUDENT ATHLETE HEALTH
- How are injuries and sick student athletes monitored?
- We partner with Prairie Performance Clinic, located in Caronport next to the arena, to serve and care for our student-athletes in all facets of their health. Prairie Performance Clinic, conveniently located adjacent to the arena in Caronport, is our dedicated partner in providing comprehensive healthcare services to our student-athletes. Their team of skilled professionals is committed to addressing the diverse health needs of our athletes, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. From injury prevention and rehabilitation to performance optimization and nutritional guidance, the clinic offers a holistic approach to supporting our student-athletes in achieving their full potential both on and off the ice.
- We also partner with Highland Rehabilitation Centre in Moose Jaw, which is fully equipped and staffed to provide all rehab, injury assessment, return to play and preventative care for all of our student-athletes. All our student-athletes undergo Functional Movement Screening (FMS) through Highland; this testing shows strengths and deficiencies that are correctable and addressed by Highland, individually tailored for each athlete’s specific needs. Highland sends out a Physiotherapist or a Certified Athletic Therapist three times a week for appointments during the day in Caronport to care for the student-athletes. Highland also provides pre-screening tests for concussions and concussion management to return to play.
- Through our partnership with Briercrest, our athletes can access counselling services on campus. Our athletes also participate in Christian Ethics classes, chapels (run by the high school Director of Discipleship) and small group chapels run by Briercrest college student-athletes and mature community members.
SCHEDULE
- What days the daily schedule look like for a student athlete in your program?
- Breakfast 7:30 am – 8:30 am
- Period 1 8:30 am – 9:10 am Chapel/Christian Ethics Course
- Period 2 9:15 am – 10:30 am On-Ice Training
- Period 3 10:45 am – 12:00 pm Off-Ice Training
- Period 4 12:25 am – 1:15 pm Lunch
- Period 5 1:15 pm – 2:35 pm Core Course
- Period 6 2:40 pm – 4:00 pm Core Course
- Supper 4:45 pm – 6:00 pm
- Study Hall 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm (Monday – Thursday)
- How many games can your teams expect to play?
- Our teams play 40- 50 games every season, including the CSSHL regular season, championships, exhibition games, and tournaments.
- What does the on and off ice training look like?
- As a Hockey Canada Accredited School, our student-athletes benefit from a 10-month training program spanning September to June. This comprehensive program includes 165-205 hours of on-ice training, 185-215 hours of off-ice training, and 140 hours dedicated to study hall. Throughout the year, coaches conduct regular player development plans, and our Director of Performance conducts fitness evaluations on and off the ice to monitor and support their athletic development.
- Every Wednesday, students engage in a 10-month-long Leadership class. They systematically work through a customized curriculum that includes leadership and character development, team building, mental health and mental strength training, nutrition, business of hockey preparation, habit tracking, vision and goal setting, digital and internet safety, and holistic wellness training (mindfulness, sleep-eat-move-think, imagery and visualization). In the offseason we add the ability to get their coaching certification and refereeing certification and other life skills.
- How long does your program run?
- September – June
KEY STAFF AND CONTACT INFO
- Justin Simpkins, Director
- Erik Robitaille, Director of Hockey Operations
- Scott King, Director of Player Dev.
- Kevin Thiessen, Director of Team Dev.
- Travis Ehrhardt, Director of Performance and Power Skating Coach
- Evan McFeeters, U18 Prep Head Coach
- Rob Holoien, U17 Prep Head Coach & Director of Player Personnel
- Gary Clark, U17 Head Coach
- Todd Cole, U15 Head Coach
- Chad Davidson, Assistant Coach
- Micah Abbott, Assistant Coach
- Connor Middleton, Assistant Coach
- Darryl Osborn, Assistant Hockey Operations / Facilities
- Matt Weninger, Goaltender Development Coach
PRICE
- What is included in the price of attending the program? Breakdown of fees
- 2024-2025 Fees
- CAD 23,000.00 (plus GST)
- The hockey fee covers all travel expenses for the entire program (hotels, food, transportation), team apparel and equipment, designated dressing room and stall, off-ice training programming, on-ice sessions, skills sessions, power skating, goalie coaching, guest coaches and team practices.
- Academic and dorm fees vary depending on the place of residence and are managed by our partner school, Briercrest Christian Academy
- 2024-2025 Fees
CONTACT
- What is the best way to contact the program?
- Website: prairiehockey.ca/applications
- Email: info@prairiehockey.ca
- Social media
- Instagram and X (Twitter): prairie_hockey
- Facebook and LinkedIn: Prairie Hockey Academy
