Kootenay Hockey Academy Announces New Coaching Structure to Enhance Player Development

Kootenay Hockey Academy (KHA) is excited to announce a new coaching structure for the upcoming season, which was designed to elevate the experience for every student-athlete in our program.

Kelvin Cech Named General Manager & Associate Coach of 18U & 17U Teams

After a successful season as the Head Coach of our 18U program, Kelvin Cech will take on a new role as General Manager and Associate Coach. In this expanded position, Kelvin will work closely with both the 18U and 17U teams, managing key aspects of team operations and providing specialized support on and off the ice.

Kelvin will be on the bench for both teams during games and will run skill development practices throughout the week. His extensive background in academy hockey, junior, and college-level programs makes him uniquely qualified to help our student-athletes grow in both individual skill and hockey IQ. As the General Manager, Kelvin will also oversee all aspects of recruiting and building the program. 

"I've studied hockey factories from Notre Dame to Zug and everywhere in between. We have the ability to create the same operation here, but we're going to do it in our own unique way."
-Kelvin Cech

Dedicated Head Coaches for 18U and 17U Teams

In addition to Kelvin’s new role, both the 18U and 17U teams will each have their own full-time head coach. These coaches will be with their teams every day, providing consistent leadership, structure, and mentorship. These coaches will focus on individual video sessions while Kelvin will oversee team video, including pre-scouting, review, and video development sessions. We’ll be announcing these head coaches soon—stay tuned!

Why the Change?

This shift in our coaching structure is all about improving the player experience. By surrounding athletes with multiple voices and perspectives, we’re creating an environment that prioritizes skill development, accountability, and teamwork. Kelvin’s specialized focus allows our head coaches to dedicate their energy to coaching, managing their teams, and supporting their players day to day.

A Better Experience for Everyone

This is a major step forward for KHA, and one we’re proud to make. Our goal is to provide unparalleled instruction for student-athletes, while also creating a positive, growth-oriented environment for our coaching staff. We believe this structure sets our athletes—and our academy—up for continued success, both on the ice and beyond.

Whether you're a returning family or considering joining KHA for the first time, we’re confident this new structure will bring fresh energy, purpose, and results to the year ahead.

If you have any questions about the new structure or joining KHA, please don't hesitate to reach out.