Expanded Hockey Academy to put Saskatoon students on the ice this fall

Young hockey players in Saskatoon are getting a new way to sharpen their skills without falling behind in the classroom.

While most students are heading to class, a group of U13 hockey players are already hard at work on the ice.

The players are part of Saskatoon Public Schools’ SPSD Hockey Academy, a program that blends academics with high-level hockey training. Beginning this fall, the academy will expand to five schools across the city, with training starting before the regular school day two mornings a week.

“You miss school, but you also get it done. You like it the same amount, but you’re at the rink and you get your stuff done in the morning,” Bentley Matheson told CTV News.

“They’ll do one hour of on-ice athletic training, as well as one hour of academics upstairs, assisted by a teacher. Then they’ll be bused back to the school they came from,” said Jordan Trach, owner of Trach Power Skating and Skills, which partners with SPSD to bring the program to students.

A version of the Hockey Academy has been operating out of Estey School for several years, but this coming fall it will expand to include one school in each of Saskatoon’s five hockey zones. Trach says leadership skills and time management are just as important as performance on the ice.

“It’s good at a young age to start time management and how to mix being a student-athlete.”

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The academy is run by Trach Power Skating, whose instructors have trained WHL and NHL players. Those include Brayden Yager (Winnipeg Jets), Noah Chadwick (Toronto Maple Leafs), Kalan Lind (Nashville Predators), Tanner Molendyk (Nashville Predators), Evan Gardner (Saskatoon Blades), Cooper Williams (Saskatoon Blades) and Zach Olson (Saskatoon Blades).

Players say the specialized coaching is already making a difference.

“It makes me a little better and smarter and makes me work hard. I’m pretty lucky because no other program here does this,” Deklan Volk said.

Jenner Holcomb feels similarly about the instruction he’s getting.

“It makes me better, more skilled, knowing what to do during games. Like skating styles, hard stops, and crossovers.”

The long-term goal is to develop higher-calibre hockey players in Saskatoon, while also preparing students for future opportunities, including American college hockey, following recent changes to NCAA eligibility rules.

“With that NCAA piece, it’s important for these kids to learn how to manage their schedules, both academics and athletics,” Trach said.

And like many young hockey players, the dream is still front and centre for Matheson whose goal is “The NHL, pretty much.”

Organizers hope the program will eventually include up to 200 players from grades 6 through 12.

An open house for the Saskatoon Public Schools Hockey Academy will be held on Feb. 1.

The session will provide general information about the academy and is open to families who attend or plan to attend any of the five academy schools.