Blog

Branden Troock Scores GWG In CHL Top Prospects Game

February 2 by Wade Burt

Branden Troock celebrates with Team Orr

Everyone here at STM is extremely proud of former student-athlete Branden Troock after he scored with 25 seconds left in the third period of the CHL’s Top Prospects game to give Team Orr the victory over Team Cherry. For good measure, Branden added an assist on his team’s first goal. A neck injury kept Branden out of the line-up all season last year, although he was able to help coach the STM Jr Oil Kings to a gold medal in a Canmore spring hockey tournament. To work his way back to this point, receiving the Jim Gregory Award as Team Orr’s player of the game, is obviously an impressive feat of dedication and hard work, both mentally and physically. The Seattle Thunderbirds right winger is sure to climb higher in the National Hockey League’s Central Scouting List as a result of his admirable return to playing on top of his strong showing in the Prospects Game. Check out an interview with Branden on NHL.com.

Team Air Force: A Day In The Life

February 2 by Wade Burt

A typical day in our group would consist of a lot of things, but the most important? Fun! Most days start out with some sort of a game, such as 3-puck, puck pirates or my personal fave: Tip-In. It’s the best. All these games get the players warmed up and encompass a variety of skills, including skating all over the ice in 3-puck, handling the puck while in motion in puck pirates, and competing in two-on-two battles in front of the net in Tip-In. The next stage in the session would depend on where we’re at in our curriculum; though more often than not we’re working on combining a variety of skills at a high tempo in order to get the blood flowing in addition to warming up the goalies. The warm-up flow drills are challenging, and work on very specific aspects designed to simultaneously improve balance, coordination, speed and of course, confidence, both with the puck and without it. We do a lot of work on our edges while giving and receiving passes, so it takes a lot of focus to ensure our passing is in tip-top shape. Read more »

2012 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft

December 22 by Wade Burt

Cole Gammer

This is the second in a special series of interviews with players eligible for the 2012 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft. Players born in 1997 are able to be drafted by any team in the WHL. This is a big year for these players, competing in their second year of bantam hockey as well as looking forward to the exciting and nerve-wracking possibility of being selected. We have several student-athletes playing Bantam AAA this season looking forward to the selection process.
Cole Gammer plays centre and right wing for the CAC Bantam AAA team.

Kelvin C: The 2012 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft is approaching this spring, what are your thoughts on the possibility of being selected? Read more »

Updated! The STM Christmas Cup

December 15 by Wade Burt

Team Cech Wins! Honest!

Update! Both Team Cech Teams win! The junior and senior teams took gold! For real! The time of year has come for families to gather around the fire, turn on the television and take in the very best that the sport of hockey has to offer. Every holiday season one junior (high) hockey tournament brings nations together in an effort to crown a champion of the game. Our patriotic hearts are awoken the moment the puck drops and countries take notice of their brightly rising stars.Yes, it’s time for the ~~World Junior Championship~~ STM Christmas Cup. I was fortunate enough to catch up with the commissioner and visionary behind this annual event, though due to his apparent shyness, we’ll refer to him as K. Kringle. Ok that’s a bit too obvious, let’s call him S. Claus.

KC: Where did the idea for such an inspiring tournament originate?
SC: Well sir, I’ll answer your questions as soon as I finish building this batch of ginger bread houses (he meant eating, not building -ed.). Read more »

Player of the Month: Robbie Yamada

December 15 by Wade Burt

Robbie Yamada likes to talk. About himself, the weather, politics, it doesn’t matter, Robbie Y is probably talking. I heard he once carried on an entire conversation in his sleep, and he argued both sides of the debate. Robbie is so smart that he was actually able to win the argument.

KC: What’s your favourite part of coming to STM?
RY: The people in the academy and the friends you make. Playing hockey and doing fitness after all your classes. I also like just getting better and improving my skills.

KC: What’s your traditional game day routine?
RY: I usually relax for a bit and go outside and stickhandle and take some shots. And then eat a few hours before. At the rink, change into my warm up gear, and a light run and then stretch.

KC: What do you like to do on off days? Read more »

2012 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft

December 12 by Wade Burt

Clayton Eisler

This is the first in a special series of interviews with players eligible for the 2012 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft. Players born in 1997 are able to be drafted by any team in the WHL. This is a big year for these players, competing in their second year of bantam hockey as well as looking forward to the exciting and nerve-wracking possibility of being selected. We have several potential draftee student-athletes looking forward to the selection process.
Clayton Eisler plays defense for the CAC Bantam AAA team.

Kelvin C: The 2012 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft is approaching this spring, what are your thoughts on the possibility of being selected? Read more »

POTM for Army: Luc Orysiuk

November 1 by Wade Burt

Luc Orysiuk is a hard working defensive defenseman with an offensive flair playing Bantam AAA for the Canadian Athletic Club. A third-year student-athlete at STM, Luc is very deserving of POTM honours for the first month of grade 9. He is a man of few words, so I consider myself priveleged to be able to share a conversation with him.

KC: What’s your favourite part of coming to STM?
LO: A lot of people I know are here, guys on my hockey team and I like the academy instructors. It’s a good time to practice your skills and prepare for games or practices you have. Read more »

POTM for Air Force: Trey Wolanski

October 27 by Wade Burt

Trey Wolanski has speed to burn and a smile to match. The first year STM student-athlete plays for the NWZ Peewee AA Raiders and is Team Air Force’s first Player of the Month for the 2011/2012 year. I caught up with this exciting young rookie to get a glimpse into his first month in the hockey academy.

KC: What’s your favourite part of coming to STM?
TW: My favorite part of coming to STM would be you’re always here with your buddies having fun and you’re always working on stuff. It’s good because the instructors are very well taught and will teach us the right things instead of always doing something wrong. Read more »

Player of the Month: Matthew Larmour

October 25 by Wade Burt

Mathew Larmour is a happy guy. He brings a positive attitude to school every day and our entire group last year benefitted from it. Larms is a great guy to have around and has seen his skills improve steadily during his time at STM.

KC: What’s your favourite part of coming to STM?
ML: Um, getting to play hockey in the afternoon, and yeah, just getting to have fun.

KC: What’s your traditional game day routine? Read more »

Michael Zipp Makes Team Alberta

October 20 by Wade Burt

A massive congratulations to STM Alumnus Michael Zipp who was successful in his bid to crack the Team Alberta Under 16 roster for the upcoming Western Canada Challenge Cup, October 27 – 30 in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan. Michael attended STM for grades seven through nine and steadily developed his individual skills while always putting his teams ahead of himself. A model of defensive consistency, Michael was the leader of his defense core at the 2011 Alberta Cup in Lethbridge which contributed to his invitation to try out for Team Alberta and his eventual success in making the team. We’re extremely proud of Mr. Zipp, and wish him and the rest of his teammates good luck in Moose Jaw.