The program would be open to every student, male or female, in junior high. Students would attend regular classes at their respective schools, where they would take core courses for the allotted 700 hours as set out by Alberta Learning guidelines. In the afternoons, possibly every other day, they would be driven to a rink where they would attend hockey school. The emphasis in the program is not on competitive play, Kinding said. The kids should be prepared to play competitively outside of school.
Parents pay the extra costs associated with equipment, rink rentals, and so on.
The Hockey Academy's idea is loosely based on the hockey schools that are run in Sweden, Russia, and all over Europe. The program is designed to meet the needs of those kids who have a passion for hockey, but not necessarily the size, stamina, or talent to play at the higher levels. The program focuses on developing individual skills such as skating, shooting, passing, and so on. Emphasis is also placed on fitness and nutrition. Many still have the drive to play and develop their skills, but don't necessarily have a place to do it.