BANFF – Banff Hockey Academy (BHA) is relocating operations to Dunmore, near Medicine Hat, Alta. for the 2020-21 season.
On Saturday (May 16), the program announced it will be known as the South Alberta Hockey Academy (SAHA) and will replace the BHA Bears in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) with its newly selected U18 male and female prep teams.
“As you can imagine, after 25 years in the Bow Valley, there are so many positive memories as we recount the students, teachers and community members who supported their collective development during our tenure in Banff,” said BHA founder and president Bill Doherty, in a press release.
“The history of our program runs deep in our hearts and souls and is filled with gratitude for our time together.”
Statement from Banff Hockey Academy pic.twitter.com/NIgKggSb7Y
— Banff Hockey Academy (@BanffHockey) May 16, 2020
Willie Desjardins, owner and operator of SAHA, a skills academy in the greater Medicine Hat area, will oversee the change of management during the relocation.
“We are excited to offer our student athletes the opportunity to learn and train with academic and athletic staff and we are looking forward to getting back on the ice,” said Desjardins, in a press release.
SAHA athletes will attend Eagle Butte High School of the Prairie Rose School Division, and the Medicine Hat Family Leisure Centre will serve as the new home ice.
We are excited for this opportunity and looking forward to our new journey #saha #csshl pic.twitter.com/8fUyUs6x6Q
— South Alberta Hockey Academy (@SAHockeyAcademy) May 16, 2020
“We are excited for what lies ahead with the South Alberta Hockey Academy,” said Kevin Goodwin, Chief Operating Officer of the CSSHL, in a press release.
“The southeast corner of Alberta is a good fit for our league and will assist linking existing programs in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. We are appreciative for all the great memories the Banff Hockey Academy has provided the CSSHL since 2009.”
In Banff, the student-athletes attended Banff Community High School and the program's home ice was at Banff Fenlands Recreation Centre. For the past three seasons, the BHA teams primarily competed in the CSSHL.
“We are very excited about the opportunities that exist for the program in Medicine Hat,” said Doherty.
“We are confident that the blend of our experience in the accredited school market, coupled with the reputation and leadership of Willie Desjardins and the Prairie Rose School District will prove to be synergistic at every level of the operation."
