By Lisa Parent

Medicine Hat Public School Division announces new ‘hockey academy’ starting September

Jan 16, 2024 | 3:03 PM

The Medicine Hat Public School Division is starting a new hockey academy program for students in grades four to nine. It will be available at seven different middle schools.

“Well, the number one thing is they’re going to get extra ice time,” said Ken Dzikowski, leader of the program.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a house player or a travel player, we want to develop every hockey player throughout the year together.”

Dzikowski said the program is open to both ringette and hockey players and will focus on developing IQ, skill and mental toughness.

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Corey Sadlemyer, the associate superintendent of learning, said academies are becoming common across Medicine Hat.

He told CHAT News they were all created because of a high volume of student and parent interest and it’s something Medicine Hat public middle schools are embracing.

“So they’re building out a framework that gets high interest programs for students in areas where they are keen about learning more,” Sadlemyer explained.

“So if you’re a hockey kid, you can join the hockey academy, but if you are the kid who’s really interested in STEM or technology, those options are open to you too.”

One-hundred-and-eighty-three students have already pre-registered for the hockey academy and the school division is looking at filling 200 spots.