Okanagan Hockey Academy UK are delighted to announce that Swindon based Michael Stratford has joined their ranks for the 2012/13 season

The 15 year old attacking player from Swindon has been playing hockey since the age of six and became hooked on the game having watched his first senior game at the Link Centre. As well as being an accomplished roller hockey player who has earned GB honors. After learning the game he progressed through competitive teams between the U10′s to U16′s level, gaining Conference experience in the U11′s, U13′s and U15′s categories as well as gaining honors with England at U13′s (where he was team captain), U14′s (assistant captain) and U15′s (captain).

The youngster has also won two “all stars” shirts and currently trains with the GB prospects at their Dumfries training camp with the U18′s squad.
Speaking after the signing was announced, OHA Head Coach Pete Russell said:  “It is fantastic news that Michael has joined the programme.

“To have a top junior International like him at the Academy is fantastic and I am really looking forwards to working with him and watching him develop both on and off the ice.

“I have known Michael since he was eleven years old and he certainly has the skill, size and desire to reach the highest level and the programme is going to make him an even stronger talent than he already is.

“The intensive programme he’ll take part in is going to be extremely beneficial to him and will take his development to the next level in his play as well as his body and mind.

“OHA will be a great life-experience for all who participate within the programme and Michael is just about to start the most exciting journey of his hockey career so far!”
Players interested in applying for a place at the Academy are reminded that they will be holding an Open Weekend later this month (on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May) where they will be running “Try Outs” for interested players. To find out more about the weekend as well as the Okanagan Hockey Academy, click here. http://www.hockeyschools.co.uk

You can also register your interest by emailing General Manager Steve Nell on
steve.nell@hockeyschools.co.uk or calling him on
07771 863 674.

Okanagan Hockey Academy UK Announce Head Coach

Okanagan Hockey Academy are pleased to announce the confirmation of English Premier League coach Pete Russell as Head Coach.

Ahead of the very first Okanagan Hockey Academy opening in the UK, OHA are delighted to confirm the services of the highly successful and respected Peter Russell. Russell has not only coached at EPL level where he has been Coach of the Year and play off winner.

Peter has also helped develop a host of UK clubs from Ayr Scottish Eagles to the Cardiff Devils junior development programmes and a very successful stint at international level with the Great Britain U18 & U20 sides which he coached to Gold,Silver & Bronze positions throughout his time.

Having such a dedicated and successful coach within the OHA staff is a great move not only for the Academy, but also for each and every player, they will benefit form his experiences and passion for the game along with this his highly rated style of coaching makes him the perfect coach to lead the OHA, as they look forward to launching operations in the UK.

Recently speaking about the OHA, Pete Russell explained ‘I am honored and excited about the prospect of joining the OHA as one of their head coaches. When this opportunity came up for me to coach full time in the Academy situation it really excited me. This is a very exciting venture for UK ice hockey and will be the perfect opportunity for the serious ice hockey player to develop as a player and as a person within this programme. This programme is a young players dream, to play hockey everyday, go to school with your piers, off-ice programmes at night and 50 games per season. Each player will be given the opportunity to train as a young pro, be coached like a pro and improve in all areas of there game. The intensive on and off ice programme will fast track one’s development in sport and life skills.

Our country has been crying out for such a programme for our young players to get the coaching, support and extra opportunities they require to develop to their maximum potential.’