Assumption school to offer hockey program with Cold Lake Ice

Assumption school will offer a hockey program with the Cold Lake Ice. Left to right: Ice head coach Scott Hood, Ice president Dale Laursen, Lakeland Catholic School Division deputy superintendent Pam Guilbault and Assumption school principal Chantel Axani-Rawlake. 

Lakeland Catholic School District (LCSD) is partnering with the Cold Lake Junior B Ice to launch a hockey program at Assumption Junior/Senior High School in the upcoming school year.

The hockey program aims to keep student-athletes in their home community while they’re in high school and assist them in sharpening their skills for post-secondary scholarships.

Assumption School principal Chantel Axani-Rawlake said she is thrilled with the partnership and proud of how the school offers programs that appeal to a broad range of student interests.

The focus of the program is skill development on the ice and developing athletic leadership.

“Our students will be involved with on-ice sessions with the Cold Lake Ice as well as theory sessions back at the school. Mr. Brendan Barton has signed on to offer some sessions as well and we’re just thrilled for our student-athletes at our school,” said Axani-Rawlake.

Lakeland Catholic has a similar partnership in Bonnyville, so the scope of the program is widening to Cold Lake, said LCSD deputy superintendent Pam Guilbault.

There is space in the program for twenty-four students from Grades 9-12. Registration will be done on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Cold Lake Ice head coach Scott Hood said it’s another way the Junior B hockey team is getting involved in the community.

“We run a lot of camps throughout the season, spring and fall with all kinds of age groups and all kinds of skills levels. That’s what I’m looking forward to is working with kids who have limited skill to high-end skill. It should be a good opportunity for us,” said Hood.

He emphasized the team’s yearly local product.

“We’re a local team. We had 15 to 16 local kids last year and they come from all over the area and all kinds of schools, it definitely gives us a chance to look at some of these kids,” said Hood.

LCSD deputy superintendent Pam Guilbault thinks the successes of the Ice will make this is a great partnership.

“We have no doubt in our mind that this is a partnership that definitely will excel. We’re looking forward to this year and seeing what great things are going to come out fo this program and the opportunities this will hold for our students here and families at Assumption Jr./Sr.,” said Guilbault.

A parent information session will be held on Aug. 28 at Assumption Junior/Senior High School at 6:00pm.