The village of Caronport, SK will be treated to some exceptionally high-level hockey this weekend as Prairie
Hockey Academy (PHA) kicks off its inaugural season in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL).
The CSSHL is a leader in education based hockey, and is the top development league in Canada for the bantam
and midget age divisions. It is a primary feeder for the top junior hockey leagues in the world. Entering its tenth
season, the CSSHL has produced 136 WHL players as well as 29 NHL draft picks.
PHA has attracted considerable talent on its teams, yet what is most remarkable is the bigger picture of what the
program offers its student-athletes. PHA is partnered with Briercrest Christian Academy and uses the language of
creating "life champions". The vision here is that student-athletes mature as well-rounded individuals, especially
spiritually. Highly competitive hockey is appropriately placed within the context of life as a whole.
Prairie Hockey Academy has two teams, one each in the Elite 15 and Midget Varsity divisions. Elite 15 is a single
age group team featuring the highest level 15 year-olds preparing for major junior, junior A hockey and beyond.
Midget Varsity is made up of 15-17 year-olds, many of whom are being groomed for junior A hockey and beyond.
The Elite 15 team opens its season Saturday evening against the Northern Alberta Extreme. As challenges go,
this will be a big one. Last year's league champs, the Extreme have not lost a game in a year and a half and have
outscored their opponents by more than a 4:1 ratio along the way. PHA's Midget Varsity team opens their season
on the road, but will be in action for their first home games Nov. 17-18 against Pilot Mound, a team that boasted a
29-2-1 record last year.
PHA has garnered a lot of local support as the season begins. Alumni from the Caronport Cougars (a previous
high school hockey program that produced NHL’ers Ryan Smyth and Kevin Smyth) have been instrumental in
creating a vintage-style jersey that will be unveiled for opening night. Also, acclaimed Moose Jaw artist Yvette
Moore has featured PHA's symbol on one of her latest works.
PHA invites you to be part of this new beginning. Admission is free, come out to Barkman arena this Saturday at
6:30pm and be part of the excitement!
- Jeremy Demoskoff
