Located in Oak Bluff, MB, the RINK Hockey Academy Winnipeg joined the CSSHL in 2016 and has now expanded to offer four teams.
Mission Statement- Our team of professionals are committed to setting the standard of excellence and innovation in hockey in an environment where exceptional performance has no limit. Our vision it to be the complete hockey resource for personal and professional development.
2021-22 Teams:
U15 Prep
U16 Prep
U18 Prep
Female U18 Prep
EDUCATION
Partner Schools:
Shaftesbury High School (Grades 9-12)
Laidlaw School (Grades 7-8)
What are some of the things your program does to provide educational support?
“RHA-Winnipeg provides scheduled tutoring at minimum twice a month, with that becoming weekly near exam times. Study Hall sessions are held daily at the RINK Training Centre as well as when teams are on the road.”
How are grades monitored and how often?
“Every month academic progress reports are completed by Shaftesbury staff and returned to our coaches, as well as, at each report card date which occurs four times during the school year. Parents and billets sign off on each report so that teachers, coaches and parents are all aware of the students-athletes progress.”
How are courses and the graduation path for student athletes chosen?
“Courses are chosen by the students at the end of each school year for the upcoming academic year. Mrs. Clark, who is the academic advisor for RHA-Winnipeg, assists and guides all our student-athletes in choosing the necessary courses for their future academic and career paths.”
Do you have an academic probation policy?
“Student-athletes are to maintain a 70% average in school, which is reviewed monthly. Should any student-athlete struggle to maintain that average, additional academic time and assistance shall be provided to retain the programs academic standards.”
RESIDENTIAL LIFE
Do you offer a billeting program or a dormitory for non-local student athletes?
“RHA Winnipeg’s billet coordinator works closely together with player families, coaching staff and our host families. It is encouraged that families from the appropriate team billet the student-athlete but if no options are available, we look externally to outside families. This process includes a questionnaire, an inhouse visit and reference checks. There is monthly check ins and a year end exit interview. We make sure it is imperative that the student athlete and family have a connection and it is the right fit for both parties.”
STUDENT ATHLETE HEALTH
How are injuries and sick student athletes monitored?
“All injuries and illnesses are handled and monitored by the personal development team and coaching staffs. The personal development team consists of athletic therapists, the team physician and therapy service team. Each team’s head coach is contacted daily on the recovery of student athletes.
Parents/guardians are in contact with our staff in regard to the severity of the injury, recovery time and any other medical issues.”
SCHEDULE
What does the daily schedule look like for a Rink Hockey Academy Winnipeg student athlete?
“RHA student-athletes begin their day attending classes at Shaftesbury High School starting in the morning at 7:30am and are dismissed at noon. From Shaftesbury, transportation is provided to our student-athletes to the Rink Training Center where they typically arrive at 12:30pm. In the afternoon, teams will have an on-ice team practice or small group skills session, an off-ice workout as well as study hall time in one of our boardrooms. Boardroom sessions will also consist of video instruction and teaching, personal development with goal setting, team building activities, and presentations from special guests. All activities are completed, and student-athletes are picked up by 5:00 pm.”
How many games can your teams expect to play?
“All RHA-Winnipeg teams play a minimum of 50 games with some teams playing up to 60 games in a season. They include the CSSHL regular season and Championships, exhibition games and tournaments against elite teams across both Canada and the United States.”
What does the on and off ice training look like?
“We try to guarantee a minimum of 50 games, 150 practice hours, 120 study hall hours and 150 off-ice training hours. A major focus of RHA-Winnipeg is our skill development program where we incorporate RINK Player Development and Goalie Development instruction with on-ice training. These sessions are in smaller groups focusing on player skills by position, technical instruction, and individual skill work. RINK Testify Performance coordinates all off-ice training in close communication with each teams’ coaches, which is based off the student athlete’s workload during the week or upcoming weekend and using the facilities state-of-the-art equipment while monitoring and tracking each exercise.”
KEY STAFF
Who are some of the key staff at the Rink Hockey Academy Winnipeg?
Ryan Cyr, Governor
Brad Rice, Governor
Brad Purdie, U15 Prep Head Coach
Jeff Borse, U16 Prep Head Coach
Rob Smith, U18 Prep Head Coach
Maggie Litchfield-Medd, U18 Female Prep Head Coach
Jon Cara, Director of Ice Development
Izzadmaher Satoudian, Head Athletic Therapist
Matt Asmundson, Strength & Conditioning Coach
Nick Fuher, Director of Player Personnel
Dwayne Gylywoychuk, Coaching Consultant
Sherryann Clark, Academic Advisor
CONTACT
What is the best way to contact the Rink Hockey Academy Winnipeg?
Website: rinkhockeyacademywinnipeg.ca
Email: info@therink.ca
