St. Thomas More Hockey Academy

STM Open House

Kelvin Cech — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:00:03 +0000

Interested in joining the hockey academy at St. Thomas More? Looking for more information and a first-hand view of the school? Eager to meet the bright and talented instructors and teachers? Then the STM Open House has you covered. On February 16th beginning at 7pm we will be holding our annual Open House and information session at the school, 9610 165 street in Edmonton, Alberta. The evening will commence in the gymnasium; afterwards you’ll have a chance to not only check out your prospective student-athlete’s classrooms, but both of our state-of-the-art fitness centres and the famous skating treadmill. Feel free to call or email us with any questions, or just show up on the 16th! We look forward to meeting you!

Navy Player of the Month: Jake Gauthier

Kelvin Cech — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:00:31 +0000

KC: What’s your favourite part of coming to STM?
JG: The hockey academy. I can improve and play in better tiers.

KC: What’s your traditional game day routine?
JG: I drink some kind of fruit juice, yogurt to get prepared. I eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, it keeps me awake.

KC: What do you like to do on off days?
JG: I would play my xbox, we have an outdoor skating rink to go to. I go play dodgeball every Friday too.

KC: What’s your favourite food?
JG: Those apple-pear things, what are they called, Asian pears? I think? I like those.

KC: Pick a hockey player in the NHL who you emulate and tell me why?
JG: Sidney Crosby because he likes to play hockey and I heard him say that he used to imagine what it would be like to do something he loved to do and get paid for it.

KC: You’ve been in the academy for half a year now, what’s one thing you’d like to continue developing in 2012?
JG: Faster skating, everytime I go on the ice I’ll just keep trying to improve.

Air Force Player of the Month: Ryan Hughes

Kelvin Cech — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:00:30 +0000

KC: What’s your favourite part of coming to STM?
RH: That you only have to do a half-day of school and then you get to go play hockey.

KC: What’s your traditional game day routine?
RH: Have an hour, half-hour snooze, I eat spaghetti, and then I listen to music in the car on the way to the game. Just thinking about the game the whole day.

KC: What do you like to do on off days?
RH: Go downstairs and watch TV on the couch. Or go down to the pond and play hockey.

KC: Any actual hobbies outside of hockey?
RH: I play lacrosse. Does floorball count?

KC: Sure buddy.
RH: My brother and I play floorball in the basement.

KC: What’s your favourite food?
RH: Hot wings.

KC: Pick a hockey player in the NHL who you emulate and tell me why?
RH: Patrick Kane because he’s always got his head up and he’s always moving and he has good hands.

KC: You bring a fun and positive attitude to school every day, is this a conscious choice you made at some point?
RH: I just want to be like that, I guess. I don’t know, you get to see your friends every day and you have time to fool around with your friends.

KC: You’ve been in the academy for half a year now, what’s on thing you’d like to continue developing in 2012?
RH: Backwards skating. Every time we do it I’ll try my best and I’ll try defense out in some of the drills.

Army Player of the Month: Tyree Harriott

Kelvin Cech — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:00:25 +0000

KC: What’s your favourite part of coming to STM?
TH: The academy.

KC: Would you mind elaborating on that a little bit?
TH: It’s just fun, I get to do something that I love everyday, I get to improve on my skills. I’m not in class, I get to be on the ice in the afternoon.

KC: What’s your traditional game day routine?
TH: It depends if it’s on a weekday, just wake up and go to school, do what I have to do at school, go on the ice at school. Then I’d go home after, watch TV for a little bit, eat something, go to sleep, wake up, get ready and drive to the game.

KC: What do you like to do on off days? Are you a gamer?
TH: Yeah, I’m a gamer, NHL12. I’m trying to play COD right now too.

KC: Any actual hobbies other than video games?
TH: I don’t know, watching TV, some days I train for track, other days I just sleep.

KC: What’s your favourite food?
TH: I’d have to go with steak.

KC: Pick a hockey player in the NHL who you emulate and tell me why.
TH: I’d have to go with Ovechkin because he’s so exciting and he always does something out there to create energy for his team.

KC: Well said. You bring a positive attitude to school every day, is this a conscious choice you made at some point?
TH: I just try to be myself, there’s no point in being negative.

KC: You’ve been in the academy for half a year now, what’s one thing you’d like to continue developing in 2012?
TH: My skills.

KC: All of them?
TH: Yeah, all of them, there’s always room for improvement.

Branden Troock Scores GWG In CHL Top Prospects Game

Kelvin Cech — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:31:09 +0000

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

Kelvin Cech — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:28:24 +0000

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.
After the warm-up drills we’ll break into smaller groups, or stations, to work on puck-skills. We like to use stations so that our instructors are focused on one specific skill and to ensure maximum involvement; there are very few times anyone is standing around, waiting to work on something. For example, a stickhandling station would consist of an excercise where everyone is participating at the same time, such as stickhandling through two pylons in a confined space, or using the lines on the ice as guides in order to practice handling the puck in front of your skates and to each side. Our group has progressed to very advanced stickhandling drills; using only the top hand or bottom hand to greatly improve the control with each. After ten or fifteen minutes it’s time for the two small groups to swap, so the stickhandling group goes to the other end to work on, for example, shooting, and the shooting group gets to work on stickhandling. Seems too simple to work? Well, it works great!
Where are the goalies you ask? Here at STM we take immense pride in the work of Jamie McCaig and Dave Rathjen, the owners and operators of Above The Crease Goaltending. While the players are working on their individual puck skills, the goalies are in a station of their own working on goaltender-specific training. From skating styles to different movement techniques, our goalies are taught the simplest ways to stop the puck from a very young age by the clear-cut leaders in the industry.
As I said above, this is a simple formula I use as a base guide for the majority of our group’s practices. The stations follow our yearly curriculum – in January we’ve progressed to competitions, one on ones, two on ones, etc. Everyone is engaged and having fun, including the instructors, and each player on the ice has a specific task and a small instructor to student ratio required to assist in these tasks.
Have a question? Want to suggest a game? Drop me a line! Thanks for reading!

STM Alberta Cup Prep Camp

Kelvin Cech — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:01:50 +0000

The 2012 Alberta Cup takes place April 25th-29th in Lethbridge, AB. Players born in 1997 compete for positions on eight teams across the province for the chance to represent their zone at the tournament. The Alberta Cup is the first step for many players before they compete for positions in the U-16 camp, Team Pacific, and for a very select few, the World Junior program with Hockey Canada. Cracking one of the Alberta Cup teams is a very impressive feat and a key step toward the 2012 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft. STM is holding an AB Cup prep camp, delivered by actual coaches in the tournament, to help players understand the difficult challenge that awaits them during their zone tryouts. Contact Wade Burt at STM or check out more information here.

2012 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft

Kelvin Cech — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:00:06 +0000

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?
Cole G: I’m excited to find out and it will be cool to see some people I know go to the WHL and possibly myself.

KC: What aspects of your game do you feel will help you get picked by a team?
CG: You really have to be fast because the speed is so much faster and you also have to think the game more, you can’t just be all skill, it’s a lot of mental aspects.

KC: What are you trying to do to get noticed this season?
CG: I want to look strong on the puck, to be looked at I think you need to be a dominant player out there.

KC: Is there a team you’d like to get selected by?
CG: No, if I do go I’ll just be super happy just to be drafted, it’s just a great experience.

KC: There obviously exists the possibility that you won’t get drafted; how will you deal with that?
CG: You know, it won’t really matter much to me because I think there’s still that possibility of training over the summer and getting better so there’s still that possibility, and even if I don’t I could still try out for a team.

KC: What sort of balance do you have in your daily focus, between competing with your team and the prospect of the draft and the Alberta Cup on the horizon?
CG: I think definitely my team will come first, during playoffs and everything. Once that’s done I’ll focus on the next event.

Updated! The STM Christmas Cup

Kelvin Cech — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:36:52 +0000

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.). I believe the true nature of the heart is best displayed in the spirit of competition, and after watching a herd of elves battle it out to see which one gets to ride Rudolph while I drive my sleigh tonight, I was inspired to create a hockey tournament that would accomplish the very same.

SIIIIILENT NIGHT! HOLY um, NIIIGHT!

KC: That doesn’t make sense.
SC: Doesn’t it?

KC: Ok then. Is there a team you’re rooting for?
SC: Of course, all of them. But actually Team Cech, of course. But all of them as well.

KC: Where did you come up with the names of the teams competing in the tournaments? I’m guessing that Team Burt, Team Glegloff, Team Black and Team Cech are named for young visionary mentors who have contributed vast goodwill and unparalleled wisdom to all of mankind.
SC: Those were actually the names of the four reindeer that failed to crack the squad, they kept flying through the air backwards and smashing their antlers into all the toys and ornaments in the shop. This was really the only way I could give them some recognition as dictated by the Christmas Clause.

KC: Are you laughing or crying?
SC: Can’t it be both?

KC: Well it’s time to wrap this up…
SC: Haha wrap.

Come, they told me, PA-RUM-PUM-PUM-PUM.

KC: Right… Are there any inspiring words you’d like to send to all the good boys and girls competing in the STM Christmas Cup?
SC: Of course.

KC:…
SC: Oh, now? Yes, work hard in the tournament and in all walks of life, compete to the best of your abilities and always look to the sky for falling reindeer shoes.

KC: Yeah, reindeer wear shoes. I can’t work with this, seeya next year.
SC: Ok Karl, good job! You sure you don’t wanna hang out?

KC: It’s Kelvin actually.
SC: Thanks Kerry!

Player of the Month: Robbie Yamada

Kelvin Cech — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 07:00:33 +0000

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?
RY: Hang out with my friends and relax. Play video games.

KC: That sounds pretty relaxed alright. No actual hobbies?
RY: I like going to the outdoor rink when it’s cold enough. And golfing.

KC: What’s your favourite food?
RY: Alfredo.

KC: Like, the sauce?
RY: I don’t know. Yeah I guess.

KC: Pick a hockey player in the NHL who you emulate and tell me why?
RY: Hemsky. People on my team always think I’m like him. He passes a lot and I usually pass.

KC: Well said. You bring a positive attitude to school every day, is this a conscious choice you made at some point?
RY: I’m just like that I guess. I’m not mad at anything, I’m happy when I’m at school.

KC: You’ve been in the academy for two years now, what’s one thing you’d like to continue developing in grade 9?
RY: Probably getting faster and acceleration after stops. And just keeping my head up all time.

KC: So you don’t get Landeskogg’d?
RY: Huh? Oh yeah I saw that hit. I thought it was pretty dirty but I don’t think he meant to hit him in the head.

KC: Who is your favorite teacher?
RY: I can’t say.

(Rob Biro was present for this interview, a fact which Mr. Yamada was unwilling to recognize in his final answer.)