Prairie Hockey Academy, Saskatchewan’s first Hockey Canada Accredited School is pleased to announce the signing of Barret Kropf as General Manager and U15 Prep Head Coach. Kropf is originally from Estevan, SK and had previously spent time in Caronport, SK. He joins PHA with a wealth of coaching experience from around the world. For the last ten years, Barret has been the Head Coach at Trinity Western University where he took that program from a BC collegiate league into the CanadaWest Conference in U Sports.
“Bridget and I are thrilled to be coming back to the Beautiful Province, and eager to serve alongside the staff and athletes at Prairie Hockey Academy! Our family is humbled and blessed to have been able to travel around the world and gain some incredible hockey experiences; bringing those experiences and wisdom back to PHA is an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. The last decade in Vancouver was an honor and privilege; helping build young men at Trinity Western University where we guided them in their journey after junior hockey. We will deeply miss the players and staff there, but also know they are well on their way to accomplishing great things.” – Barret Kropf, General Manager & U15 Prep Head Coach, Prairie Hockey Academy
“I am extremely excited to add Barret Kropf to our team at the academy. He is a strong leader who possess excellent communication skills and aligns with our vision and purpose at PHA. His life’s work will show you that he is very driven to develop young athletes on and off the ice, putting a high emphasis on their character and their identity in life. I believe that adding Barret to our team, not only as a coach, but as our General Manager is a big step forward for all of us at PHA. – Justin Simpkins, President, Prairie Hockey Academy
Kropf has a resume when it comes to coaching. One interesting fact that many may not know is that Kropf led a U18 AA Caronport Cougar team to a league championship at one time and now comes full circle back to coaching the PHA Cougars. Since then, Kropf worked with the Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL) and was the chaplain for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League for seven years and has worked with Athletes in Action for over 18 years. Barret was also the head coach of the Briercrest Clippers (ACAC) from 2003 to 2006. Following the 2005-06 season, he was named the ACAC Coach of the Year. After leaving Briercrest, he was the assistant Coach with the Czech National World Junior Female team, winning a bronze medal at the 2006 World Championships. Kropf went on to be the Head Coach of Team Sask Female team at the 2011 Nationals Championship, and assistant coach with them in 2010 and 2012. He has more than 20 years of coaching experience, in places such as Czech Republic, Russia, Slovakia, and Kazakhstan.
During his time at TWU, Kropf guided his Spartans team to BCIHL Championship series five times, in 2013-14, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18. and 2018-19, winning in both 2018 and 2019. In his seven seasons with the Spartans he had an overall record of 129-53-0-11 (0.697). He won the BCIHL’s Coach of the Year award three times: 2013-14, 2014-15, and 2017-18.
In the Spartans final three years in the BCIHL (prior to joining Canada West for the 2021-22 season), Kropf led TWU to three straight regular season titles, with TWU posting an .815 winning percentage (58-12-0-3).
“Barret’s records speak for themselves. He is a decorated coach in the collegiate level, having won four Coach of the Year awards as well as two league championships. Even more important to me is his relationships he has built and the success he has had by doing everything with excellence. Whether you speak to one of his old hockey players or an old Roughrider, they will tell you of the man that Barret is and the relationships that he built with them.” – Justin Simpkins, President, Prairie Hockey Academy
Kropf has also worked with Hockey Ministries International (HMI) from 1998 to 2003, coordinating hockey chapel programs in Western Canada. As a player, Kropf played in the SJHL in Estevan and Melfort, Sk. Barret and his wife Bridget currently live in Langley, BC and will be moving here over the summer. They have three sons Jalen, Joshua(wife Katti) and Jacob.
“The opportunity at PHA to be at the other end of the development funnel and prepare athletes for junior hockey is an exciting project that we look forward to. The leadership and staff in Caronport have built something special on the prairies; a ‘field of dreams’ situation that provides all the tools a player needs to move to the next level. Our family is passionate about developing leaders on and off the ice, and we can’t wait to get our boots on the ground to serve alongside the staff and athletes, pushing towards the edge of excellence in every area!” – Barret Kropf, General Manager & U15 Prep Head Coach, Prairie Hockey Academy
If you would like to speak to Barret Kropf, you can contact him at barret@prairiehockye.ca or 778.240.7923
For more information contact: Justin Simpkins 306.201.5499 justin@prairiehockey.ca