By Scott Roblin

VIDEO: Prairie Rose School Division and Willie Desjardins partner to create hockey academy

Jul 23, 2018 | 11:31 AM

DUNMORE, AB – Eight years after last coaching in southern Alberta, Willie Desjardins is coming home.

On Monday, the former Medicine Hat Tigers bench boss and the Prairie Rose School Division announced a partnership to create the Willie Desjardins South Alberta Hockey Academy for division students.

After stops in Dallas and Vancouver in the NHL and a bronze medal finish with Team Canada at the 2018 Pyeonchang Olympics, Desjardins said he’s thrilled to be back.

“For me to come back it’s great,” said Desjardins. “It’s a perfect spot for me to do it and I couldn’t be happier doing it here.”

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The program will be open this fall to both boys and girls attending Eagle Butte High School in Dunmore, Parkside School in Redcliff, and Irvine School.

The two junior high schools in Redcliff and Irvine will serve as feeder programs to the Eagle Butte program, where high school students will be able to earn credit.

Assistant superintendent Reagan Weeks said everything fell into place in a short amount of time, as talks with Desjardins began only three weeks ago.

“We were so excited to have the opportunity to even meet with Willie for some advice on how we might go forward,” said Weeks. “The idea that he’ll work with us to build these learning opportunities for students is just a dream come true for our kids.”

Calgary’s Global Sports Academy will oversee the program and provide the framework, with players hitting the ice at the Irvine Sports Complex and the Rec-Tangle Arena in Redcliff.

According to Desjardins, the goal will be to create leaders both on the bench and in the classroom.

“We strive for good habits, we strive for leadership,” he said. “Those are things that are important and hopefully that will fall in place.”

There’s no word yet on possible enrolment numbers for the program, as both Desjardins and school division staff will see how many initial applications they’ll receive.

Weeks said this will make a big difference for their rural hockey players who don’t always have the same advantages as some players in the city would get.

“A coach with this kind of experience giving back to rural Alberta and targeting our rural students, who sometimes don’t have access to the same kind of diverse programming opportunities you might find in a more urban area, is really special and we couldn’t be more grateful,” she said.

Desjardins oversaw some of the biggest moments in Tigers history between 2002 and 2010, winning two WHL championships and was named CHL coach of the year.

He also served as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks between 2014 and 2017, before earning an Olympic bronze medal.

Armed with a teaching degree from the University of Saskatchewan, Desjardins is now excited to turn his attention to the grassroots level.

“It’s something I’ve always done, I’ve always talked to players of all ages,” he said. “So, it’s nothing different for me, but it does give me a chance to maybe affect a few more students.”

More than anything, the 61-year-old said he’s wanting to foster the love of sport in as many students as possible.

“We want to allow kids to follow their passion,” he said. “So, if they’re passionate about it, we want to find a way to put that in place, be it whatever sport.”

Fees to join the academy are expected to be around $3,000 per student, however support is available through the Prairie Rose School Division office for eligible families.