Kenora Catholic District School Board

For many students, the program offered a fun and refreshing break from the classroom. "It’s nice to take a break from school to play hockey with my friends," shared Nolan, a Grade 6 student at St. Louis School. Owen, a Grade 5 student at École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys, agreed, saying he enjoyed the chance to play with his friends.

Some students found joy in refining their techniques and improving specific skills. "My favorite thing is getting more opportunities to shoot the puck and play hockey during school," said Max, a Grade 4 student at SMB. Timothy, a Grade 6 student at SMB, valued the social aspect of the program, explaining, "You get to bond and get to know other kids in different grades from the school." Meanwhile, Elizabeth, a Grade 4 student at SMB, was excited about her progress, saying, "I really love working on my skating skills."

The Hockey Skills Development Program was a tremendous success, providing students with a rewarding experience on and off the ice. Whether it was the thrill of competition, the excitement of learning new skills, or the joy of making new friends, the program created lasting memories for all involved. Congratulations to all the students who participated—your hard work and dedication shone on the ice!

From perfecting their skating strides to working on puck-handling skills, students embraced the program with enthusiasm. Haley, a Grade 4 student at St. Louis School, shared, "My favourite thing about being at the hockey skills academy is getting more ice time to try and improve." Her classmate, Lillia, echoed similar sentiments, saying, "I love skating and want to get better at hockey so I can play with all my friends."

The program was not just about skill development but also about creating connections. "I get to meet new people, and it's fun practicing with the coaches," said Coehn, a Grade 5 student at St. Louis School. Ry, a Grade 4 student at St. John Paul II School, added, "I love to play hockey, so it's great to be here!"

The program also received praise from coaches and school leadership. Travis Batters, Vice Principal and Coach from St. John Paul II School shared, "The KCDSB Hockey Skills Program allows students of all skill levels to participate in a program where they can work on improving existing skills or try skills they may not have been exposed to. The program benefits students of all skill levels."

When asked about the most rewarding part of facilitating the program, they added, "The most rewarding part of the program is seeing how students improve over each session and how they have improved over the past years of the program."