The RINK Hockey Corp. is excited to welcome Maco Balkovec to the team as the Executive Director of RINK BC. Maco will begin his role with RINK Kelowna April 5th, which coincides with the start of our inaugural spring development programs. These programs will be the first of their kind since the acquisition of Pursuit of Excellence. Maco will be operating out of the newly completed RINK Kelowna offices at 716 Adams Ct. He will be working with newly appointed Regional Manager of Player Development, Glenn Carnegie on the development side of the business and Manager of Operations for RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna, Glen Naka on the teams’ side of the business. Maco’s main role going forward will be to focus on growing and establishing the RINK and RHA brands and businesses throughout the province of British Colombia.

“I have always been so impressed with the RINK program. From their coaches to their players, to the way their teams play and compete, to the people that run their organization. Character matters. Values count. These are things that align with what we believe and who we are. We could not be more excited to be a part of their new Kelowna program,â€� said Maco on joining the RINK and what it means to him.

Maco’s past experience includes time with Bowling Green State University, Burnaby Winter Club and the ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp (²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp) amongst others. Maco comes from a teaching background that has been intertwined with coaching ever since he began his first teaching position nearly 20 years ago. Through this experience, he has developed a passion and ability to connect and inspire students, players, and peers.

During his time with Burnaby Winter Club, Maco developed and implemented a plan for long term athlete development as well as establishing key contacts within the WHL, NCAA, BCHL, BC Hockey and the ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp. During his time as Vice Chair of the ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp, Maco helped establish new policies and guidelines for league operations, assisted in the creation of the Education committee to standardize expectations in the classroom, as well as aided in the quest for expansion within the league that grew from 13 to 18 programs during his tenure.

The RINK will look to draw from Maco’s experience with managing teams and various hockey relationships to further grow and develop the company from both the on and off ice development and teams’ aspects of the business.

“We are incredibly excited to bring Maco on board with the RINK B.C. operation,� said RINK President, Ryan Cyr. “We are adding a tremendous leader whose characters and values directly align with those of the RINK. With his experience in hockey, education, and business he will be a positive role model within our entire organization and a driving force in establishing our company within the region.�

When asked about what he wishes to achieve, Maco had the following to say.

“We want to be the best at what we do, and we want to be a big part of the City of Kelowna, the Okanagan region, and the province of BC. This is a tremendous opportunity to work with some great people and do great things. There is nothing better than helping young people work towards achieving their goals. We want to help them become better people, better students, and better hockey players. I cannot wait to get started!”

MORE ABOUT RINK HOCKEY ACADEMY KELOWNA

The RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna, formerly the POE Hockey Academy, is a world-class hockey experience focused on developing 360-degree student athletes through unrivaled training, coaching, programs, and resources. The RINK Hockey Academy is designed to build skills for hockey and values for life. RHA Kelowna is a proud member of the ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp (²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp). RHA Kelowna currently has teams in the U15, U15 Prep, U16 Prep, U17 Prep, U18 Prep, and U18 Prep Female divisions.

ABOUT THE RINK HOCKEY CORP.

The RINK Hockey Corp. is a Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada based company founded in 2009 by Brad Rice, Tina Jones, and Mike Keane. The idea was to bring a unique approach to skill development and the game of hockey. 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 with the vision of being a complete hockey resource for personal and professional development. The company owns and operates the RINK Training Centre in Winnipeg, MB and its respective Player and Goalie Development divisions, as well as the RINK Testify Performance whose focus is sports-science and data-driven training. The RINK Hockey Corp. also owns and operates the RINK Hockey Academy, with locations in both Winnipeg, MB and Kelowna, BC, which delivers student athletes a world-class education-based hockey experience. The RINK Hockey Corp. prides itself on delivering development to all ages and skill levels while upholding a culture that fosters love for the game of hockey.

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Twenty-one female hockey players under the age of 15 have been selected to take part in the inaugural Scotia Rising Teammates mentorship program. Among the mentees are six ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp (²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp) student athletes, Charlotte Siksik (Rink Hockey Academy), Kendal Davidson (South Alberta Hockey Academy), Arnica Bulmer (Shawnigan Lake School), Jordan Baxter (Delta Hockey Academy), Farah Walker (Edge School) and Jaimee Spring (Edge School).

The Scotiabank Rising Teammates program comprises young female leaders from across the country who are committed to making sure hockey is inclusive, despite one’s gender. It recognizes these young women for their leadership, passion for the game, demonstration of outstanding play and teamwork, both on and off the ice.

Players were nominated by their provincial branches then hand picked as Scotia Rising Teammates based on their on-ice performance and off-ice leadership, values of high importance for the future generation of players. 

Each of the Scotia Rising Teammates will receive a four-week, once-in-a-lifetime mentorship program which includes a mentorship program with a Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) player, group sessions with special guest appearances, a resource package, an individual participant package and $1,000 donation to the mentee’s hockey team.

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The RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna is proud to announce the hiring of former NHL veteran, Jarome Iginla. Jarome will be taking over the Head Coach position of the U15 Prep team for the 2021-2022 season. His role will begin immediately with the organization to allow ample time for scouting, recruiting, and building out his roster for the upcoming season. Jarome is moving to Kelowna from Boston where he has spent the past 4 years coaching his two sons through minor hockey and enjoying retirement. RHA Kelowna is thrilled to be adding a coach who has a proven track record of success in coaching teams and players at the U15 level as well as years of professional playing experience in the NHL. Jarome will also be helping out with the U18 Prep team throughout the season. Jarome will be returning to Kelowna full time where he has spent the majority of his time during the summers throughout his playing days and is very familiar with the Okanagan region.

Jarome has spent the past four years coaching minor hockey in Boston, Massachusetts, a hot bed for hockey in the north east of the United States. He has coached his sons, Tij and Joe’s respective minor hockey teams, and most recently helped bring the 2006 Boston Jr. Eagles from a 20th ranked team to #1 in the nation. They have competed against all the top Toronto-based team like the Jr. Marlies.

Along with coaching the Jr. Eagles, Jarome has also been coaching the past three seasons with the 2008 Boston Jr. Terriers. It is experiences like this that RHA Kelowna feels Jarome will have a positive impact on the student-athletes within the program. He has shown he has the coaching acumen to work with and assist in the development of young athletes of similar ages and skill levels as the team he will be taking over.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time in retirement getting to coach our boys and their teams in competitive hockey out in Boston,� said Jarome. “I’m looking forward to getting back to Canada and having the opportunity to continue to work with the student-athletes, helping them to get better, work towards their goals, and continuing to develop a passion for the game.�

As teams head into the second half of the year, RHA Kelowna begins its scouting and recruiting heading into the 2021-22 season. It is the goal of both the organization and Jarome to get busy organizing a competitive team in an always tightly contended U15 Prep division of the ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp. With a number of changes and announcements like the investment in a new facility and home for the RHA Kelowna program the excitement is high heading into the year ahead.

When asked about his excitement on joining RHA Kelowna, Jarome said, “I’m excited to be joining the organization as they have made some great additions to an already strong program. To me, it gives young hockey players that are committed to working hard and competing every chance to excel and enjoy the game.�

“He’s a winner and leader. Those are two things you can’t have enough of,� said Glen Naka, Director of Hockey Operations at RHA Kelowna. “Jarome will bring invaluable experience to our organization from both a coaching perspective of similarly aged teams and a player perspective from the NHL which is almost every student-athletes end goal.�

For more information regarding applications for the 21-22 season, please visit the RHA Kelowna website

MORE ABOUT RINK HOCKEY ACADEMY KELOWNA

The RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna, formerly the POE Hockey Academy, is a world-class hockey experience focused on developing 360-degree Student Athletes through unrivalled training, coaching, programs, and resources. The RINK Hockey Academy is designed to build skills for hockey and values for life. RHA Kelowna is a proud member of the ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp (²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp). RHA Kelowna currently has teams in the U15, U15 Prep, U16 Prep, U17 Prep, U18 Prep, and U18 Prep Female divisions.

ABOUT THE RINK HOCKEY CORP.

The RINK Hockey Corp. is a Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada based company founded in 2009 by people passionate about a unique approach to skill development and the game of hockey. 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 with the vision of being a complete hockey resource for personal and professional development. The company owns and operates the RINK Training Centre in Winnipeg, MB and its respective Player and Goalie Development divisions, as well as the RINK Testify Performance whose focus is sports-science and data-driven training. The RINK Hockey Corp. also owns and operates the RINK Hockey Academy, with locations in both Winnipeg, MB and Kelowna, BC, which delivers student athletes a world-class education-based hockey experience. The RINK Hockey Corp. prides itself on delivering development to all ages and skill levels while upholding a culture that fosters love for the game of hockey.

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²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp student athlete Kiara Renaud has committed to attend and play NCAA III hockey at SUNY – Canton University in New York for the 2020-21 season. 

Last season, the Ottawa, ON product suited up for the Rink Hockey Academy where she recorded a 1.03 goals-against average and .941 save percentage in 11 regular season games. 

During the 2020 BDO ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp Championships, the five foot four goalie recorded three straight wins, with a .962 save percentage to help her team capture the Female Varsity Division title.

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²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp student athlete Ethan Buenaventura has committed to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Winnipeg Blues for the 2020-21 season. 

The Winnipeg, MB product suited up for 18 games for the Rink Hockey Academy last season where he recorded a 2.96 goals against average and a .890 save percentage. 

During the 2020 BDO ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp Championships, which were cut short due to COVID-19, Buenaventura noted a .894 save percentage.

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Teams from across the globe will face off at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships starting Christmas Day in Edmonton, Alta.

Hockey Canada has invited 46 players to Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp, which will take place Nov. 16 to Dec. 13 in Red Deer, Alta. Among the 46 selected players are six former ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp student athletes.

Yale Hockey Academy products, defenseman Bowen Byram and centre Dylan Cozens, will be veterans at the selection camp this year. Both Byram and Cozens competed for Team Canada at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championships where they helped Canada capture the gold.

New to camp this year are Rink Hockey Academy product Seth Jarvis, former OHA Edmonton defenceman Kaiden Guhle, Delta Hockey Academy alum Dylan Garand and center Gage Goncalves who laced up for Yale Hockey Academy

Jarvis and Guhle were both selected in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft, while Garand and Goncalves were both selected on Day 2. 

Photo: Hockey Canada

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The ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp is pleased to announce that 28 alumni have made the Preliminary Players to Watch List for the 2021 NHL Draft.

The players on the list were sourced by NHL Central Scouting and categorized based on an A-to-C rating scale. A-rated players were classified as potential first-round picks, B-rated players are forecasted to be selected in the second or third round while C-rated players are projected to be drafted in the fourth, fifth or sixth round. 

Five former ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp student athletes were identified as A-rated players including defenseman Corson Ceulemans who played for OHA Edmonton, Dylan Guenther former Northern Alberta Xtreme forward, Carson Lambos, who was a defenseman for the Rink Hockey Academy, forward Cole Sillinger who laced up for the Okanagan Hockey Academy and BWC Academy alumni, forward Kent Johnson. 

Three student athletes were added to the rated B players which include defenseman Oscar Plandowski, OHA Edmonton alum, forward Jack O’Brien who played for the Delta Hockey Academy and Logan Stankoven, former Yale Hockey Academy centre, while 20 ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp alum were given C-ratings. 

Overall, 28 former ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp student athletes represented 10 programs: BWC Academy, Edge School, Delta Hockey Academy, Northern Alberta Xtreme, Notre Dame Hounds, OHA Edmonton, Okanagan Hockey Academy, Pursuit of Excellence, Rink Hockey Academy and Yale Hockey Academy.

To view the full list of ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp alumni who made NHL Central Scouting’s 2021 Players to Watch list, see below. 

²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp alum – Players to Watch List for the NHL 2021 Draft

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Former ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp student athletes Jake Sanderson, Seth Jarvis, Kaiden Guhle and Jake Neighbours were selected in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft on Tuesday. 

Sanderson was picked fifth overall by the Ottawa Senators, Jarvis was selected thirteenth overall by the Carolina Hurricanes, Guhle went sixteenth to the Montreal Canadiens while Neighbours was drafted twenty-sixth overall by the St. Louis Blues.

This year marks the fourth time in five years that a minimum of two ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp alums were selected in the first round of the NHL Draft and the first time that four former student athletes were selected.

Sanderson, 18, skated for the Edge School’s U16 Prep team in 2017-18 where he registered 16 goals and 27 assists (16-27-43) in 32 regular season games. The 2002 born defenseman added three points (1-2-3) in the 2018 BDO ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp Championships.

The Whitefish, MT native spent the past two seasons playing for the US Development Program. 

Jarvis, 18, competed for the Rink Hockey Academy’s Midget Prep squad for two seasons, most recently in the 2017-18 campaign where he scored 32 goals and 28 points (32-28-60) in the 32 regular season games. 

During the 2018 BDO ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp Championships, the 2002 born forward added three goals and two assists (3-2-5) in five playoff games. 

The Winnipeg, MB product laced up for the Western Hockey League’s Portland Winterhawks for the 2019-20 season where he netted 42 goals and 56 assists (42-56-98) in 58 regular season games. 

Guhle, 18, suited up for OHA Edmonton for two seasons, most recently during the 2017-18 where he registered 39 points (14-25-39) in 35 games for OHA’s Midget Prep team and two points (1-1-2) in three 2018 BDO ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp Championship games. 

The Sherwood Park, Atla. born defensemen has spent the past two seasons playing for the Westen Hockey League’s Prince Albert Raiders where he tallied 14 goals and 44 assists (14-44-58) in 137 career games. 

Neighbours, 18, netted 31 goals and 42 assists (31-42-73) in 34 regular season games for the Pursuit of Excellence’s Bantam Prep team and added 11 points (5-6-11) during the 2017 ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp Championships.

In three seasons playing for the Edmonton Oil Kings, the Airdrie, Alta native recorded 34 goals and 64 assists (34-64-98) in 122 career WHL games.

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Andrew (AJ) Vasko, three year ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp student athlete, has committed to the British Columbia Hockey League’s Cranbrook Bucks for the 2020-21 season. 

Last year, Vasko, 17, had a 56 point season where he recorded 15 goals and 41 assists (15-41-56) in 31 regular season games for the Rink Hockey Academy’s U18 Prep team. 

The La Salle, MB product added one goal (1-0-0) in two playoff games during the 2020 BDO ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp Championship which were cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The 2002 born forward scored 39 goals and 81 assists (39-81-120) in 106 career ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp games.

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Located in Oak Bluffs, MB, the Rink Hockey Academy Winnipeg joined the ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp in 2016 and has now expanded to offer four teams.

2020-21 Teams:
U18 Prep
Female U18 Prep
U16 Prep
U15 Prep

EDUCATION

Partner School: (Grades 9-12)

What are some of the things your program does to provide educational support?

“RHA provides a tutor at minimum twice a month, with that becoming weekly near exam times. Study Halls happen daily at the RINK as well as on the road.�

How are grades monitored and how often?

“Grades are accumulated by Shaftesbury staff and then sent to head coaches. Once a month there is a progress report of each student, as well as at each report card date which occurs four times during the school year.�

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 next year. Mrs. Clark who is the academic advisor for RHA helps all the student athletes in choosing the right courses and helps with career path. We as a program allow the Shaftesbury High School advisors to do all the coordinating on courses and career paths.�

Do you have an academic probation policy?

“Student athletes are to maintain a 70% average in school, which is reviewed monthly. Each student has certain circumstances on that grade point.�

RESIDENTIAL LIFE

Do you offer a billeting program or a dormitory for non-local student athletes?

“RHA has a billet coordinator where together with the coaching staff look for a family to billet the student athlete. 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, in house visit and reference checks. There is monthly check in and 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?

“Student Athletes attend Shaftesbury High School from 7:30-12:00 and then arrive at the RINK Training Centre around 12:30 pm for their afternoon activities. In the afternoon they have an on-ice full team practice or skill session, an off-ice workout as well as study hall time in one of our boardrooms. All activities are completed by 5:00 pm.�

How many games can your teams expect to play?

“All RHA teams play a minimum of 50 games, with teams playing between 50-60 games a season, which includes the ²´˜·ŠÊ˜·³Çapp regular season and Championships, exhibition games and tournaments both in Canada and the United States.â€�

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 our program is the skill development program where we incorporate RINK Player Development and RINK Goalie Development. RINK Testify Performance handles all the off-ice training where programs are set put for each player individually and are based off the student athletes workload during the week or upcoming weekend.�

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, U15 Prep Assistant Coach
Sandy Henry, U16 Prep Head Coach
Rob Smith, U18 Prep Head Coach
Ian Duval, U18 Prep Assistant Coach
Maggie Litchfield-Medd, U18 Female Prep Head Coach
Tess Dusik, U18 Female Prep Assistant Coach
Izzadmaher Satoudian, Head Athletic Therapist
Matt Asmundson, Strength & Conditioning Coach
Tyler Fehr, Hockey Operations
Nick Fuher, Director of Player Personnel
Dwayne Gylywoychuk, Coaching Consultant
Sherryann Clark, Education Advisor
Jenny Brennan, Billet Coordinator

PRICE

What is included in the price to attend the Rink Hockey Academy Winnipeg?

“The cost for the ten-month program (September-June) is $26,500 plus GST. This cost covers everything for the student athlete from games, tournaments, off/on ice training, travel, food, equipment, apparel, skate sharpening and more. If a student athlete requires billets, there is a separate cost between the host family and student athlete family for approximately $500 a month.�

CONTACT

What is the best way to contact the Rink Hockey Academy Winnipeg?

Website:
Email: info@therink.ca

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