July 19th, 2010

THP ALUMNI SIGNED BY THE EDMONTON OILERS

Shawn Belle, former student-athlete at The Hockey Program, has been signed to a one year contract by the Edmonton Oilers.

The 25 year old Edmonton native played this year for the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, the farm team of the Montreal Canadiens. In 70 games with the Bulldogs, Belle totaled 3G and 16A for 19 pts while collecting 69 PIMS. He also was called up for two games with the Canadiens where he was held pointless.

Originally drafted by the St.Louis Blues, Belle played out his junior career in the WHL for the Tri-City Americans, also getting the call for the Canadian World Junior Team in 2004, capturing silver at the event. In 2004-2005, the defenceman was traded to the Dallas Stars where he turned pro and played for their AHL affiliate the Iowa Stars. That same season his rights were traded to the Minnesota Wild who optioned him the Houston Aeros, where he played out the year. In 2006-2007 Belle mostly played for the Aeros, but made his NHL Debut with the Wild, where he recorded an assist in 9 games. In July of 2008, he was traded to the Canadiens, where the majority of his time was spent in the Hamilton system.

The Big Defenceman agreed to a one year contract with the Oilers on the 13th of July and will attend Training camp this September vying for a spot on the big club.

For more information on Belle, click HERE.

June 29th, 2010

IMPORTANT INFO FOR VIMY'S NEW AND RETURNING STUDENT ATHLETES

As the school year ends, we at the Hockey Program are preparing for next year. To this end, we have compiled some important information for the start of the next school year:

FOR NEW PARENTS,

there is a new student orientation on Wednesday August 18th at Vimy Ridge Academy. Grade 7 students will meet in the large gym from 9:00am – 12:45pm, grades 8 through 12 will meet from 11:15am – 2:00pm. More detailed information on this event will be sent out by the school later this summer. The first day of regular classes at Vimy Ridge is Friday August 20th, students are expected to meet in their homeroom just after the first bell at 8:35am. For the first couple of days students will not need their hockey gear but will require proper athletic attire (t-shirt, shorts, appropriate shoes).

Your copy of the modified 2010-11 calendar can be found by clicking HERE.

For further information on the program, our handbook can be downloaded by clicking HERE.

FOR CURRENT PARENTS,

first and foremost, we want to thank you for all your support over the past 10 months. The year has supplied us with many great memories and accomplishments. At high school next year, there will be 3 male groups and 1 female. At junior high the program will be remaining at 6 groups of approximately 29 students per group to start the year. Each group will have 3 to 4 goaltenders. Each group will continue to be assigned a head hockey instructor and hockey teacher. We ask that you be patient with the student grouping process and keep in mind the THP Criteria involved when placing students into groups-age, grade, physical skill, physical maturity, mental maturity, & group dynamic. The ultimate goal is to find the best grouping to maximize overall individual student development.

Your copy of the modified 2010-11 calendar can be found by clicking HERE.

June 28th, 2010

ANOTHER THP ALUMNI DRAFTED INTO THE NHL

Hockey Program Alumni Brendan Gallagher, member of the WHL's Vancouver Giants, was drafted in the NHL Entry Draft on Saturday.

The 5'9, 163lb Giants winger, was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 5th round, 147th overall.

The 9th round, 195th overall selection in the 2007 Bantam Draft by the Giants has defied a perceived "size deficiency" that some scouts claimed would hold him back, by putting up "Big" numbers in two seasons with his team.

Brendan put up 41G and 40A for 81pts and a +9 rating in 72 games last season, and added 11G and 10A for 21pts in 16GP in the playoffs.

For a profile video of Brendan click HERE.

June 22nd, 2010

THREE THP STUDENTS INVITED TO ALBERTA U17 PROVINCIAL CAMP

Three Hockey Program students, Forwards Brandon Magee, Peter Quenneville and Riley Sheen have been invited to the Alberta Under 17 Provincial Camp.

The camp, which will run in Camrose from July 6th-11th, will serve as a tryout for Team Pacific which will compete at the Under 17 World Hockey Challenge in Winnipeg this holiday season. 11 players from this camp will be named to Team Pacific out of the 46 that are invited.

Brandon Magee played his winter hockey for the Midget AAA Southside Athletics, and is a draft pick of the WHL’s Chilliwack Bruins. Peter Quenneville was also in the Alberta Midget Hockey League, skating for the Maple Leafs, he is a draft pick of the Prince George Cougars. Riley Sheen suited up this winter for the Minor Midget AAA Maple Leafs and is property of the Medicine Hat Tigers.

If any of these students were to make this team, they would be in prestigious company, joining the likes of Devon Setoguchi, Jarome Iginla, Mike Green and Dion Phaneuf as Team Pacific Alumni.

June 17th, 2010

THP SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED

From left to right: Arden Cowley, Adam Woods, Liz Hillier, Karina DiPersio, Ryan Matsuba, Mitch Bodeux, Taylor Stewart, Braeden Harke, Eden Sharp, Emma Cooley and Cassidy Delainey

The Hockey Program have announced their 2009-2010 scholarship winners. Each year successful applicants that show academic excellence, leadership, community involvement and a genuine interest in pursuing further education may be recognized and given cash awards respective to their grade level.

The Grade 4-12 Scholarships are sponsored by United Cycle, the Brick, Tim Horton's and Boston Pizza. The Grade 12 Graduating Scholarships are donated by individual donors and organizations.

This year's winners are:

Grade Four: McKenzie Hewett and Josh Brisebois

Grade Five: Jonathan Brisebois and Koletrane Wilson

Grade Six: Micheal Timmann and Bennett Foster

Grade Seven: Braeden Harke and Eden Sharp

Grade Eight: Karina Dipersio and Mitchell Bodeux

Grade Nine: Taylor Stewart and Ryan Matsuba

Grade Ten: Emma Cooley

Grade Eleven: Arden Cowley and Cassidy Delainey

Grade Twelve: Adam Woods and Elizabeth Hillier

Grade Twelve Graduation Scholarship: Adam Woods

For more information on the Scholarship process, including an explanation of the criteria and application documents, click HERE. If you have any further questions, please contact our Academic Advisor Roger Castle, by visiting our "Contact" section of the website.

June 15th, 2010

THP ALUM INVITED TO NATIONAL JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT CAMP

Brendan Gallagher, Vancouver Giant (WHL) and Hockey Program Alumni was named as one of 18 WHL players to be invited to the Canadian National Junior Team Development Camp, which will run in early August in St. John's, Newfoundland.

The 9th round, 195th overall selection in the 2007 Bantam Draft by the Giants has defied a perceived "size deficiency" that some scouts claimed would hold him back, by putting up "Big" numbers in two seasons with his team.

The Right Winger put up 41G and 40A for 81pts and a +9 rating in 72 games last season, and added 11G and 10A for 21pts in 16GP in the playoffs.

Brendan will be vying for a spot on the 2010 Canadian World Junior Team, and will attend the camp with top prospects Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin, as well as many other prospects who look to go in the first round of this year's NHL draft.

June 14th, 2010

THP STUDENTS INVITED TO NATIONAL MEN'S U-18 SELECTION CAMP

Three students from the Hockey Program have been invited to Canada's National Men's Summer U-18 Team Selection Camp. The three students invited are Reece Scarlett, Colin Smith and Mark McNeill. The camp will run July 31-August 3 at Father David Bauer Olympic Arena in Calgary, home of Canada's national teams.

Reece Scarlett (pictured at middle), from the Swift Current Broncos (WHL) is a 17 year old defenceman from Sherwood Park. He was drafted 12th overall by the Broncos in the 2008 bantam draft, and scored 1G and 9A for 10pts for the Broncos this season.

Mark McNeill (pictured at left) was drafted 5th overall by the Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) in the 2008 bantam draft. The native of Edmonton, Alberta scored 9G and 15A for 24 points in the 2009-2010 season, to go along with his 27PIMS.

Colin Smith (pictured at right) , a member of the Kamloops Blazers (WHL) is a 17 year old forward from Edmonton, Alberta. He was drafted 7th overall by Kamloops in the 2008 bantam draft. He scored 5G and 21A for 26pts in 48GP this season, and was a point-per-game player in the playoffs, going 2/2/4 in 4GP in that span.

All three of these students are currently maintaining an honours average academically.

The Hockey Program would like to congratulate these players on this recognition, and wish them luck in their goal of making that prestigious team.

June 14th, 2010

BRUINS CROWNED VJHSL CHAMPIONS

The Bruins group, coached by Dan Bouwmeester, won the VJHSL championship on Friday, by defeating the Coyotes 10-8 at Kenilworth Arena.

Factoring signifantly in the result was Brenden Klutke, who tallied 2 goals and 2 assists for the Bruins in the Win while picking up the Conn Smythe Trophy for the MVP. Also for the Bruins, John Quenneville netted one goal and 3 assists, while Simon Goodall and Luc Topolnyski each scored a pair of goals. For the Coyotes, Riley Simpson and Jake Schutz each scored a pair of goals and one helper each in the loss.

Overall it was a hard fought game, with the Coyotes roaring back with four goals to make it a 9-8 game, the Bruins remain composed and scored an empty netter to seal the victory.

Congratulations to the Bruins on their well-earned championship.

June 10th, 2010

VJHSL CHAMPIONSHIP ON FRIDAY

The VJHSL Championship goes Friday, June 11th at Kenilworth Arena at 1:30pm where the Bruins, coached by Dan Bouwmeester will face rival Coyotes who are coached by Tim Fragle.

The Coyotes bested the Bruins in the season series, winning both games, and outscoring the Bruins 14-6 in the process.

But, Mr.Bouwmeester has the Bruins playing well together and they look to avenge these losses by winning the game that means the most.

Parents and the public are welcome to come watch this battle unfold at Kenilworth Arena from 1:30pm until 3pm.

June 8th, 2010

VIMY RIDGE JR. VARSITY OUTGUNS ST. THOMAS MORE

The line of Jayden Descheneau, Tristan Reimer and John Quenneville led the way as the Vimy Ridge Junior Varsity bested St. Thomas More 9-2 in exhibition action at River Cree Arena on June 7.

The score was deceiving as STM battled hard in the first period only to be absolutely stoned by Zach Antoniw, Vimy's starting goalie. Zach ended up shutting out STM in his half of the game with Garrett Storms finishing strong and only giving up unstoppable power play goals.

Tristan Reimer netted 3 goals and Giorgio Estephan potted 2 markers. Other goal scorers for Vimy were John Quenneville, Jayden Descheneau, Ryan D'Amore and Riley Sheen.