Showcase 2: Early Season Reflections at Kootenay Hockey Academy
Photo: Jefferson Hagen
It’s been an exciting start to the season at Kootenay Hockey Academy. With two teams, 39 players, and nearly a hundred parents, grandparents, and new fans following along, there’s a lot of energy around the rink — and a lot of moving parts behind the scenes.
As coaches, one of our most important responsibilities is communication. Every player requires a unique approach. Each of them has their own personality, learning style, and way of responding to feedback. That means our job isn’t just about teaching hockey systems — it’s about understanding people. With new coaches, returning players, and a mix of fresh faces, we’re all learning how to connect and grow together.
And yes, there are some big personalities in the mix. Managing, encouraging, and holding each other accountable has been a collective learning curve, but we’re proud of the direction both teams are headed. On the ice, we’ve seen plenty of positive results. Both the U18 and U17 teams have been competitive in every game, learning just how fine the line is between winning and losing.
For our U18 team, the focus is on composure in tight situations. Staying calm and confident when games are close will be the key to success. With strong goaltending, committed defending, timely scoring, and a consistent team-first effort, this group has all the ingredients to win.
For our U17 team, the message is simple: defending is just as important as scoring. Offence starts with responsibility without the puck. When they remember that goals are a product of hard work and structure, not the other way around, they’ll find success. Composure and emotional maturity will continue to be their biggest areas of growth — and we’re making great strides there every week.
Showcase Weekend Recap
Both KHA teams competed hard during the recent showcase weekend, facing strong competition and learning valuable lessons from every matchup.
17U Division
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Game 1: Win — Wolves HC 0, Kootenay HA 4
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Game 2: Loss — Coquitlam HC 7, Kootenay HA 2
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Game 3: Loss — Kootenay HA 2, Okanagan HC 3
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Game 4: Loss — Titans Hockey Union 6, Kootenay HA 3
The 17U group opened the weekend with a convincing shutout win, showing what happens when structure and pace align. As the weekend went on, they faced tough opponents and moments of adversity, but the experience provided valuable perspective on what it takes to sustain effort and execution over multiple games.
18U Division
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Game 1: Loss — Langley HA 7, Kootenay HA 2
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Game 2: Loss — Coquitlam HC 5, Kootenay HA 4
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Game 3: Loss — Kootenay HA 3, Island HC 6
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Game 4: Win — Kootenay HA 2, Okanagan HC 1
For the 18U team, the weekend was a mix of growth and grit. After three hard-fought games that didn’t go their way, they closed things out with a composed 2-1 win over Okanagan. It was a solid step forward — proof that the lessons being learned are already translating into results.
It’s still early in the season, but the foundation is strong. The effort, attitude, and enthusiasm from both groups give us confidence that we’re on the right track. We’re proud of the progress so far and excited for what’s ahead.
