Kenora Area Hockey Canada Skills Academies

Just contact your child's school to register!

Visit our Facebook page for a glimpse inside our Kenora area academies, click here!

*Students currently registered in our hockey academies do not need to re-register each year, your child will continue in the program year to year unless notice is given by the family that a child will no longer participate.  

WATCH OUR HOCKEY CANADA SKILLS ACADEMY VIDEO FOR A GLIMPSE INTO OUR ACADEMIES!

MEET YOUR COACH - Coach Brooks Mejia

Biography - Coach Brooks Mejia

Completed a Bachelor of Science Degree with a concentration in Exercise Science before heading to Lakehead University where I completed my Bachelor of Education specialization in Physical Education. Currently the Head Coach of the Beaver Brae Bronco Boy’s Hockey team.  NCCP Coaching Development 1 Trained. I grew up playing in the Kenora Thistle programs, went on to play 3 years of Junior ‘A’ hockey, played for the University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjackets and the Kenora Senior AAA Thistles. I have gained experience in Strength and Conditioning through training High School sports teams within the Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin area.

Being a part of this program has given me the opportunity to give back to the community. Being a student-athlete takes dedication and motivation to perform both in the classroom and on the playing field. This program allows students to be a part of a team where they will learn and develop life skills becoming a ‘whole athlete’ (mind, body and soul).  With a physical education background and hockey experience, I am able to teach the skills and dedication students need to succeed both on and off the ice. With a background in strength and conditioning, I am able to help students maintain a healthy active lifestyle.

The most important aspect of the hockey academy is that students participate in an engaging atmosphere where they are learning hockey skills but also have fun learning. This program allows students to hone in on their hockey skills and develop relationships with their peers outside the classroom. The goal for the Academy is to develop the ‘whole student-athlete’; one that demonstrates strength in the mind, body, and soul. Focusing on both the on and off ice aspects of the sport of hockey teaches students that hockey or any sport takes more than just skill. The Academy focuses not only on on-ice skill but education, off-ice conditioning, mental training, and personal and team development.  The Hockey Academy is about developing self-confidence to perform in the classroom and on the ice. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR HOCKEY CANADA SKILLS ACADEMIES!

The Keewatin Patricia District School Board continues to partner with Hockey Canada, Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO) and Lake of the Woods Minor Hockey to provide our students with an elite Hockey Canada Skills Academy program. The Beaver Brae Hockey Canada Skills Academy is designed to challenge and inspire all students who participate. It is a complete program that includes education, on-ice skills, off-ice strength and conditioning, mental training, and personal and team development. On-ice sessions include hockey fundamentals such as skating, puck handling, checking, 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. The Academy is open to all students in grades 4-12. The program operates during the school day, from September to April each year.

Brooks Mejia is committed to the development of each player and providing personalized and directed strategies for improvement. The individual needs of each player are identified by analyzing their academics, hockey skills, strength and conditioning and future goals. As hockey is a team sport, students are then taught how to use their skills to support their team. All program participants will receive both on and off ice training.

Focusing on individual improvement and team building helps maximize a student’s development potential. The program will offer on-going skill development that will, in turn, create the opportunity to build on individual skills in addition to team development.

BBSS Hockey Canada Skills Academy has been accredited by Hockey Canada. The framework of the program is consistent with the standards for development set by Hockey Canada. As well, it is in full compliance with the Ministry of Education's provincial learning outcomes for physical education.

Who can apply for the program?

Any boy or girl enrolled in a KPDSB school in Kenora in grades 4-12 can apply. 

Does my child have to play hockey?

No. Any child regardless of their hockey skill level may apply to enroll in the program. We will also develop our program to ensure that students who have experience and/or are enrolled in minor hockey have the opportunity to further develop their skill level.

Will my child need to bring equipment?

We expect that some students will have equipment and others will need assistance. We will be working with corporate sponsors such as Jump Start Canada and Triple PLAY to help support the needs of our students and their families.

All program participants will receive both on and off ice training.

The benefits for each participant are as follows:

- Enhancement of individual technical and tactical development along with fitness and nutrition.
- All training sessions occur during the school day.
- Provides a better balance for the practice to game ratio that currently exists.
- Enhancement of academic achievement through establishing a better balance between athletics and academics within the school system.
- Opportunity to participate in other extra-curricular activities including football, basketball, volleyball, golf, soccer, etc.

Registration Procedures

Contact your child's school for more information. 

On-Ice Hockey Conditioning Program:

• 90 - 270 minutes per week depending on grade level
• Detailed break-down of all facets of the game, both individually and team oriented
• Qualified on-ice coaching staff
• Hockey Canada Skills Academy Curriculum

Off-Ice Conditioning Program:

• Qualified off-ice training staff
• Use of the Kenora Recreation Centre
• Nutrition and supplement guidance

Mental Training:

• Goal setting
• Positive reinforcement
• Self Discipline
• Self-motivation
• Self-confidence
• Breathing techniques
• Team building