academies/ ontario

OVERVIEW

At Okanagan Hockey Ontario our primary focus is to promote the long-term development of each of our athletes in the classroom, on the ice, and in the community. Putting young, motivated people in a structured environment, surrounded by a world-class staff and support system, allows us to deliver a consistent message and value system that we feel is imperative to the long term development of our students.

We believe that elite athletes need to be challenged, yet supported, in all aspects of their lives. We hold our student-athletes accountable for their efforts, attention to detail, and above all their attitudes. We have learned through experience that those three key ingredients are keys to future success.

Okanagan Hockey is built on experience, knowledge, passion for our game, and above all, Okanagan Hockey is built on each individual’s mark left behind as they move on to achieve their goals. The commitment to excellence in all areas is what makes Okanagan Hockey Ontario a tremendous opportunity for any young and aspiring hockey player.

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CURRENT TEAM

U18 PREP

LOCATION

The Town of Whitby is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario. The town’s proximity to major 400 series highways provides easy access to many other Canadian destinations, U.S. border crossings, and U.S. interstate highways. Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Airport is 63 km away with efficient connections throughout North America and overseas.

Situated on 50 acres of parkland, the Iroquois Park Sports Centre (IPSC) is Canada’s largest municipally owned and operated recreation facility. Inside are six arenas, including a large stadium arena, two pools, banquet and meeting rooms, a pro shop, and elite athletic training facilities. The 250,000-square-foot sports and entertainment facility was voted in the Top 5 “Best Arenas in the GTA” by Toronto Star.

HOCKEY PROGRAM

Boosting our players’ hockey IQ is a big part of our daily activities. Our coaches are experts by experience, having played the game at the NHL, Junior, University, National and Olympic levels. Their knowledge of what it takes to go pro and their understanding of the player’s perspective make OHO a unique and standout program.

On Ice Development

Okanagan Hockey Ontario will offer a male U18 Prep team for the 2022-23 season. The team will play a 60+ game schedule competing in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL), tournaments and exhibition games.

Our athletes participate in purposeful daily training both on and off the ice. Through tactical and technical teaching, practices are designed for individual skill development. Our philosophy is to provide our athletes with the tools necessary to execute and perform at the highest level possible.

Our belief is that in order to be the best you must surround yourself with the best.

Physical Preparation

The strength and conditioning component of the program is in partnership with Elite Training Systems. We strongly believe that physical preparation is key to long-term hockey development.

Elite Training Systems is committed to helping all athletes reach their athletic potential. They believe in building well-rounded athletes through education and execution on proper training, nutrition and recovery strategies. All of our programs are progressive and designed on an individualized basis.

Elite Training Systems Website

EXPOSURE AND PLACEMENT

OHO leads the way in exposure and placement of players to Junior A, WHL and NCAA programs. Our coaches have extensive professional hockey backgrounds that show diversity in their routes to success. As a result, our staff possess a network of contacts that is second to none. Junior and college hockey programs often contact our coaching staff because they value our knowledge, honesty, and integrity.

It is often difficult to decide which path a player should take after graduation. At OHO, we will do everything we can to prepare parents and players for what lies ahead on their athletic journey.

When choosing where a student should play next, we remain impartial in the decision-making process. A hockey player’s future home is a personal decision with financial implications. It is ultimately up to the athlete and their family.

HOME LIFE

Our athletes who need room and board are billeted among a great group of local families. Our billets provide a safe and supportive environment that our student athletes can call home. We have had great success through our billeting program and feel that it has been an integral part of the growth of our Academy.

“My experience with OHO was the best decision of my hockey career. My coaches, Jamie Johnson and Mike Duco, were both passionate, dedicated and skilled; they encouraged me to dig deeper mentally and physically. Our team was assigned a school guidance counsellor (Nicole Sorichetti) and she was very instrumental with my career path and my school grades. Paul Pascuzzi our General Manager insured that we kept our grades strong by implementing after school study halls which included dinner. This program was better than I excepted. OHO has made me stronger, better and wiser with skills that will take me through out my life’s journey. I would encourage any one that wishes to take their hockey career to the next level to join OHO.”

– ZECHARIAH THOMAS, OHO Student Athlete

“It was not an easy decision to let our son live 2000 miles away from home so that he could pursue his school and hockey goals, but looking back on it now we have no regrets. From the beginning we noticed that the program was very well organized and focused on not letting school take a back seat to hockey. The coaches, management and teachers were all very encouraging of Simon and really wanted him to succeed. The billet parents were fantastic and treated Simon as one of their own. We are certain the bonds that Simon formed with his teammates will last a lifetime. The OHO experience was definitely a positive learning experience that has helped him grow into a young man.”

– AGA & CRAIG HARKNESS – Parents of OHO student Simon Harkness

EDUCATION

Henry Street High School has a proud tradition of academic excellence, and of providing many and varied opportunities for students to get involved in school life. HSHS has a strong athletics program, including team sports and intramural activities, numerous clubs and committees, a creative drama program, which produces fabulous student performances, and an outstanding music program.

There are also opportunities for students to exhibit leadership in the school and community by participating in programs such as Culture of Peace, Students Against Racism, Students Against Drunk Driving and Student Council activities.

Henry Street High School Website

MORE INFORMATION

MANGEMENT & COACHING STAFF

OHO SKILLS ACADEMY

OKANAGAN HOCKEY ONTARIO PROSPECTS

OKANAGAN HOCKEY ALUMNI