The goal of the Hockey Academy program is to provide each student-athlete an opportunity to pursue excellence, and to improve and develop the physical, mental and tactical demands of the game of hockey. Throughout the training, students will improve their time management, independence, and organizational skills. Students will participate in a variety of on and off ice training sessions. On-ice sessions include fine-tuning hockey fundamentals such as skating, puck-handling, checking, passing, and tactics. Off-ice sessions include team-building, cross-training, weight training, uni-hockey, floor hockey, mental training, character development and various field trips.
All of our programs have access to superior athletic instruction and a wide-range of cross-training and fitness opportunities.
Sport Academy schools charge a program fee that varies by school and by sport in order to offset the costs of things like equipment, field/rink rental, staffing of sport-specific coaches and trainers, as well as administration costs.
History
Edmonton Catholic Schools has been offering sport specific programming for students as a program of choice since 1997. The Sport Academy schools offer superior athletic instruction for those students whose educational experience would be enhanced with sport specific training. Academy students benefit from participation in these sports in terms of learning to be responsible, organized, and committed to an education that is both academic and athletic.
Shadow Days
Are you ready to take your hockey skills to the next level? A Shadow Day at one of our ECSD Hockey Academies is the perfect way to experience firsthand what makes our program exceptional.
What Are Shadow Days?
Shadow Days offer prospective students the chance to observe and participate in aspects of our Hockey Academies. From on-ice training to classroom visits, you’ll gain valuable insight into how we blend academics and athletics.
What to Expect
During your Shadow Day, you can expect to:
- Engage in on-ice training with our expert coaches.
- Explore our dynamic academic environment and see how we support student success.
- Meet our dedicated coaching staff, teachers, and current students to learn about the program from all perspectives.
How to Sign Up
Signing up for a Shadow Day is easy! Simply visit the Hockey Academy webpage of the school you’re interested in and follow the instructions to request your visit. Each school may have its own process, so be sure to check their page for specific details.
To succeed in sport, you don't focus on making yourself rich or famous. You don't even focus on winning most of the time. You focus on becoming world class - an 'outlier' - at your sport.
Hockey Academy Shadow Day and Contact Forms
Barons Hockey Academy Information
- Hockey Academy Fee Report 2025-2026 (High School)
- Hockey Academy Fee Report 2025-2026 (Junior High)
- Payment Plan Instructions
- Monthly Themes/Focus
- On Ice Skill Components
- United Sport & Cycle Discount Card
- Hockey Brochure - coming soon
- LSL Hockey Academy Overview and History - coming soon
- Hockey Academy Handbook - update coming soon
- Louis St. Laurent Hockey Academy Promo Video
Welcome Letter
Dear Parents and Students,
I would like to take the opportunity to welcome every student athlete to another exciting year with the Louis St. Laurent Hockey BARONS Academy. This year’s ice sessions will focus on technical skill development along with tangible “next level habits” and details (hockey sense, situational awareness, puck pursuit skills, what the player does without the puck, support with and away from the puck, pressure with and without the puck, puck protection, time/space/positioning, gap control, reading pressure, offensive and defensive structure, transition, undetermined possession, read and respond awareness to situations with and without the puck as well as positional awareness in those situations) to compliment your current individual skill set. Along with Above the Crease Goaltending the ice sessions will include technical and tactical elements relating to goaltending, skating, puck handling, shooting, checking, passing, angling, stick emphasis and positioning.
The ice sessions will involve the concepts of 'pressure with the puck' as well as 'pressure without the puck' both offensively and defensively and will include the concept of structure relating to position specific emphasis reinforcing the Defensemen, Forward and Goaltending “habits required for the next level“ whatever that may be for all of our student athletes.
At the end of every session we will run confined area situations to promote ‘decisions with and without the puck,’ ‘the concept of time and space,’ ‘intellectual and physical skills,’ and ‘essential hockey skills where the game becomes the teacher.’ Anatoli Tarasov, the famous Russian Coach said that “the greatest gift you can give to your players is to teach them to coach themselves so that they can act independently of you, the coach.” We require an “open mind” from every one of you to be receptive towards improving yourself as a player.
Coach Dan, Coach Jamie, Coach Nathan and I owe it to every student athlete to be “insistent” on proper habits while at the same time task each of you with having an exceptional work ethic. Our coaches will be extremely prepared and our challenge to you is to approach each session with the mindset of “doing everything better than you have ever done it before” … every drill … every repetition … every save … that is how you “Win Forever” and that is how you can make the Louis St. Laurent BARONS Hockey Academy an unbelievable opportunity for you towards preparing and achieving your goals in hockey and in life.
Sincerely,
Coach Blair, Coach Dan, Coach Jamie Coach Nathan and Coach Barry
Staff -under construction
Head Coach: Blair Becker (Core Hockey Training)I am the owner of Core Hockey Training. I have 27 years in coaching/mentoring, spanning from novice to junior levels. Notable roles include Head Coach at Louis St Laurent Hockey Academy, Assistant Coach with Camrose Kodiaks, coached various Team Alberta teams (Western Challenge Cups, Canada Games) with achievements in national and international competitions with Hockey Canada. Holds a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education, degree in Education and is certified by Hockey Canada.
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Associate Coach: Dan Waschuk (Competitive Thread)Dan’s two-decade hockey career, highlighted by his time in the WHL and leadership as captain of the Grant MacEwan University team, set the stage for his extraordinary coaching journey. Transitioning from a celebrated player to a revered coach, he led numerous successful hockey camps across Alberta and played a key role in the University of Alberta Golden Bears’ National CIS Championship win during his time there. His coaching style is unique, focusing on the mental aspects of the game, teaching stress reduction, centering, and visualization techniques. Dan’s comprehensive approach not only hones physical skills but also instills mental resilience, making him an invaluable mentor for aspiring hockey players. Working with Dan offers a rare chance to learn from a seasoned expert who excels in both strategy and player development. | |
Goalie Coaches: Ryan DemharterUSport and Junior A goaltender. Kinesiology degree with CSCS certificate through the NSCA. | |
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Strength and Conditioning: Barry ButtI have been training hockey players for 25+ years. Owner of Premier Strength & Conditioning inc. I have trained over 70 NHL Draft picks, 4 Olympic Gold medalists, 3 Stanley Cup Champions. | |
Assistance Coaches:
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Teacher Coaches:
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Our Mission
In the book called "Outliers," Malcolm Gladwell reveals why some people achieve extraordinary things. One undeniable factor is the 10,000 hour rule.
Whether it's Mozart, the Beatles, or Bill Gates, all extraordinary achievers put in a minimum of 10,000 hours developing their skills. And there are no exceptions.
This doesn't mean that talent isn't a factor as you must have some innate skill. Assuming that one has a minimum base of talent, what takes you from good to great is how hard you work. Gladwell says, "The people at the top don't just work harder or much harder. They work much, much harder." Most people say that "I'd Never Do That Much Work"
To succeed in sport, you don't focus on making yourself rich or famous. You don't even focus on winning most of the time. You focus on becoming world class - an 'outlier' - at your sport.
In one study a Team Canada hockey player stated that "when I was 18, I wanted to become the best player in the world at my sport. I put together an elaborate binder that included:
- A 21 page essay on how I could improve my skills
- Monthly, weekly and daily fitness regimens
- Goals for shooting sessions and practices
- Mental toughness training strategies for each week
The binder was my 'Bible' until I was named captain of Team Canada ten years later. I kept my binder a secret until a talented young player asked me for help making the National Team. She studied it and finally confessed, "It looks great, but to be honest, I'd never do that much work."
There are two things about this story that are important.
- First, notice the dates. By 18, I had been already been practicing for ten years. By 28, when I reached my goal, I had another ten years under my belt. I had definitely reached the 10,000 hour mark (it often takes about ten years, but it took me twenty).
- Second, the commitment involved and required.
My young friend loved her sport. She just didn't love it as much as I did. That's why she experienced my binder as "work".
If I thought I was "working" in my 10,000 hours, I probably wouldn't have done it. Which is why her path was the right one for her. Instead I became a world class athlete with a huge list of accomplishments that made me happy.
Every goal is a personal choice. But you do need to excel at what matters most to YOU. And that means you need superior technique.
Making the "work" involved seem like play to you is the secret to the 10,000 hours.
We will constantly communicate the vision we develop along with the team identity over and over again…At Least Everyday…like a ‘broken record’
- Try to never communicate the mission / vision the same way
- Be painfully positive and painfully patient through the ‘process of development’
- Always be ‘fair’ by ‘coaching the 20’ – exclude no one!
Everyone should always feel valued for their contributions – players want to know that you are proud of them and that you appreciate their efforts – ‘you have to let them know’
Communicate honest actions to the players that are evidences of “successful executions.” In other words let them know what they need to do to get better and work with them so they can improve.
Everyone is greeted everyday on our team – the arena has to be a fun place to be and the dressing room has to be the best place for them to be (other than hockey – how was your day? – good to see you – “legend or myth?” – ice cream or cake?…). “Knuckle Up”
AS COACHES, WE ARE TEACHERS and SUPPORTERS EVERY MINUTE OF THE DAY! That is how we make a difference.
Important Dates
- Open House- TBD
- Hockey Academy Shadow Day: March 12, 2026
- Registration deadline - TBD
Contact
Nathan Gilborn
Tony Martino, Vice Principal Louis St. Laurent School
Phone: 780-435-3964