OHA Junior B (Lakers) players moving on

June 29, 2010

For many players, Junior B hockey is a necessary part of their development process.

Okanagan Hockey Academy (OHA) has had substantial success moving players from the Junior B level to Junior A, WHL and NCAA. In a recent conversation with VP of Hockey Operations Alan Kerr, he listed the following reasons for OHA's success in moving players on to higher levels:

1. Professional coaching on and off the ice
2. On the ice 6 days a week from September 1 to the end of May
3. In the gym 3-4 days a week in season and 6 days a week out of season
4. Additional top US midget tournaments in Boston and University of North Dakota
5. Compete with players aged 16,17 & 18 against older competition
6. Emphasis is put on education including SAT prep  
7. Continued placement and exposure
8. University tours including Boston University, Boston College, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and North Dakota

Out of the current OHA alumni that have moved on to higher levels, over 60% have played in the Junior B program. This includes 17 NCAA committed players, 2 CIS, 28 Junior A and 5 WHL players in 2010.

"So far from the Junior B team this past season we have 1 CIS, 1 WHL, and 10 Junior A committed players that will play at those levels in 2011," said Kerr. "In addition, the remainder of the Junior B team will attend Junior A camps in the fall. For players who play at the Junior B level it is a critical year for development as our philosophy is that it is a one year stop. We are committed to work with this group of players to give them every opportunity to move on."