DHA in the news: Female CSSHL Showcase Weekend Highlights

DHA female teams at last enjoy home ice at CSSHL Showcase Weekend

Prep and Varsity teams play a combined 10 games over four days

Mark Booth, Delta Optimist

 

Delta Hockey Academy’s Female Prep and Varsity teams at long last made their regular season home ice debuts at this weekend’s Canadian School Sport Hockey League Showcase at Planet Ice.

A highly competitive four-day event concluded with the DHA Prep team falling 3-2 in a shootout to the Edge School from Calgary on Sunday. The hosts forced overtime when Katie Chan tied the game with 5:55 remaining in regulation. Aimee Brucker had the other Delta goal.

Leah Lanthier gave the Edge the extra point by being the only player to score in six shootout attempts. Reese Hiddleston was terrific in the DHA net making 34 saves.

The Wild began the weekend with a 5-0 win over Banff on Friday morning. Grace Elliott led the way with a three-point outing including a pair of goals. Nicole Soon, Jessica Soon and Aimee Brucker also scored. Taylor Bilingsley made 13 stops for the shutout.

DHA was then trimmed by Winnipeg’s St. Mary’s Academy 4-3 on Saturday morning. The difference was Jessica Haner’s goal with just 53 seconds remaining. Mila Verbicky, Ava Svejkovsky and Brucker had the Wild goals. Chan chipped in with a pair of helps and Hiddleston made 25 stops.

The girls rebounded Saturday night by blanking Northern Alberta 4-0. Brucker continued her productive weekend with two more goals. Kesslan McCabe and Elliott also scored. Bilingsley made 19 saves for her second straight shutout.

The Wild now sit with a 5-5-2 record in regular season play. Next up is four games at the St. Mary’s Showcase in Winnipeg, Nov. 16-18. DHA won’t be back at Planet Ice until Jan. 19.

Meanwhile, it was an even busier weekend on home ice for the DHA Female Varsity team with a whopping six games over four days. The girls finished the hectic stretch with a 4-2-0 record, capped by a 1-0 shootout victory over Okanagan Hockey Academy on Sunday morning.

Logan Hamilton’s shootout goal was the difference while Janaka Shahi made 17 stops in regulation for the shutout and turned aside all three OHA attempts as well.

The Wild opened the Showcase with a 4-2 win over Couer d’Alene. Allison Jakeway had a pair of goals. Tristan Craig and Melody Pilchak also scored.

Shahi had a 19-save shutout in a 3-0 win over Okanagan on Friday night. Makenna Bergen, Melisa Ardanaz and Emma Killman were the goal scorers.

DHA also trimmed Couer d’Alene 1-0 on Saturday morning. Lainey Joyce’s third period power play goal was the difference. Shahi earned her third shutout of the weekend with 21 saves.

DHA Varsity are now 9-4-1 on the season.

Find the full article from the Delta Optimist here: https://www.delta-optimist.com/sports/dha-female-teams-at-last-enjoy-home-ice-at-csshl-showcase-weekend-1.23486898 

Female Prep Female Varsity Recent News U18 Female

DHA announces new roles within female program and male Midget Prep AC

Delta B.C. – The Delta Hockey Academy (DHA) are excited to announce new roles within the Hockey Operations team, including a Director of Female Hockey, a new position within their organization, which will be filled by Owen Pighin.

Scott May will take over as the Head Coach of the Female Prep team, Brittany Kirby has joined the coaching staff as an Assistant Coach for the Female Varsity team and Kris Beech has been named an Assistant Coach with the male Midget Prep team.

Pighin has spent the last two seasons as Head Coach of the DHA Female Varsity program and was a key member in the inaugural 2016-17 Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) Championship season.

The Tsawwassen, B.C. product has had a long coaching career of 35-plus years in both the male and female game. He was a key contributor to the start up of the Female Steelers program and was heavily involved in the development and female program at the North Shore Winter Club in the early 2000’s.

Pighn will continue to serve as the Head Coach of the Female Varsity team while overseeing both the Female Varsity and Female Prep student athlete personnel in recruiting and post-secondary opportunities.

“We are fortunate to have someone like Owen guide and support all of our female student-athletes with his enthusiasm, passion and respect for the game and athlete,” said Ian Gallagher, Director of the Delta Hockey Academy.

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May, currently Director of Hockey & Business Operations at Delta Hockey Academy will step into the role of Head Coach for the Female Prep team.

May has coached the Male Midget Prep team since DHA’s inaugural 2013-14 season in the CSSHL. Highlighted by a CSSHL Championship in 2015-16, May looks for a new experience and challenge in the Female game.

Before coaching, May had a playing career that took him to The Ohio State University (NCAA) where he was selected in the seventh round, 222nd overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2002 NHL Draft. After his collegiate career, the White Rock, B.C. product went on to play eight seasons professionally at the AHL, ECHL and European levels.

“I am excited for the new opportunity and the change to work with the female student-athletes in our program,” said May. “I look forward to continue to help grow and strengthen our female program, working alongside our other female coaches.”

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Kirby enjoyed a lengthy playing career that was highlighted by her time with the Pacific Steelers from 2003 to 2007 and then moving on to University of Toronto from 2009 to 2014.

Most recently, Kirby has spent time with minor hockey programs in both Toronto and Winnipeg teaching skills development as well as serving as an Assistant Coach with Team Winnipeg in the most recent Manitoba Winter Games.

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Beech will join DHA in a full coaching capacity for the 2018-19 season with the Midget Prep team. He was with DHA last season in a mentorship and mental training role, while also assisting on the ice for practices.

The Salmon Arm, B.C. product had an extensive 16-year pro career, after being drafted in the first round, seventh overall, by the Washington Capitals at the 1999 NHL Draft. He played with Washington, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Columbus and Vancouver before playing in Europe for eight years to end his career in 2016.

“We are looking forward to having Kris continue in a larger role within our program,” said Gallagher. “We pride ourselves on having an experienced and professional coaching staff and adding Kris in a full-time position adds to the depth we already have in place.”

Featured Female Prep Female Varsity Midget Prep Recent News Uncategorized

DHA raising the bar in the classroom

Congratulations to all those DHA student athletes who worked diligently and conscientiously in striking a balance between the demanding role of hockey and their academic pursuits.

DHA is proud to report that 32 players attained Principal’s List status while 117 players attained Honour Roll accolades for Term 1.  The Principal’s List requires students to attain a 92%  average or higher and an 83% average for Honour Roll in their best 6 of 8 courses.

Wild Pride!  Well done Wild!

Bantam Prep Bantam Prep Green Bantam Prep White E15 Featured Female Prep Female Varsity Midget Prep Midget Varsity Recent News Uncategorized

Friesen brings Operation Canadian Soldier to DHA

Delta Hockey Academy is extremely proud of teacher Jackie Friesen, who has introduced her English project, Operation Canadian Soldier to our program.

Midget Prep player Nic Ardanaz and Friesen reflect on the respect and admiration they have for those that have and for those that continue to fight for our country.

In Operation Canadian Soldier, Friesen has the students hand write meaningful letters to the soldiers to remind them that they are not forgotten. Lest we forget. #wildpride

http://www.csshl.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientID=4542&leagueID=15269&page=102007

Bantam Prep Bantam Prep Green Bantam Prep White E15 Featured Female Prep Female Varsity Midget Prep Midget Varsity Recent News Uncategorized

Hiddleston, Brucker and Lannard shortlisted for Team BC

DHA is extremely proud to announce that Reese Hiddleston, Aimee Brucker and Karina Lannard have cracked the rosters for the 2017 Female U18 Team BC Selection Camp.

Congratulations girls and we wish you luck at Shawnigan Lake July 13 -16!

http://www.csshl.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientID=4542&leagueID=15269&page=100550

 

Female Varsity Recent News Uncategorized

Thirteen DHA female student athletes invited to BC Hockey camp

DHA is extremely proud to announce that 13 student athletes from the Female Varsity team have been invited to the 2017 Female U18 Invitational Selection Camp being held in Lake Cowichan, B.C. from May 17-21.

Congratulations to Aimee Brucker, Paris Eliopoulis, Faithe Harris, Reese Hiddleston, Jamie Johnston, Emily Johnson, Karina Lannard, Kesslan McCabe, Stephanie Moy, Kallie O’Hearn, Stella Rockel, Alexia Urusa, and Macy Young.  Best of luck girls!  Wild Pride!

http://www.csshl.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientID=4542&leagueID=15269&page=100011

Featured Female Varsity Recent News Uncategorized

DHA wins CSSHL Female Varsity Championship

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DHA is extremely proud to announce that our Female Varsity team are the 2016-17 CSSHL Champions!

Macy Young scored the winner with less than five minutes remaining as the DHA captured the 2016-17 Canadian Sport School Hockey League Female Varsity Division Championship with a 3-1 win over Shawnigan Lake School on Sunday afternoon.

Reese Hiddleston stopped 27-of-28 shots fired her way between the pipes.

Marah Wagner gave Delta a 1-0 lead with 6:02 remaining in the first period, which would be the only offence the game would see until the final frame.

Delta pulled ahead for good as Young put them in front with 4:31 to play, while Paris Eliopoulos added an empty-netter to seal the deal.

A huge thank you to coaches Owen Pighin and Dom Di Rocco on such a successful inaugural season and to the many parents and families who were in Calgary to support our DHA Champs!

http://www.csshl.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientID=4542&leagueID=15269&page=99132

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Female Varsity Recent News Uncategorized