Hockey

The Parkland Hockey Academy (PHA) is an exciting skill development program open to students of all genders from Grades 6 through 12. PHA students are on the ice developing their hockey skills an average of two times per week. Under the guidance of full-time, certified, professional coaches, they work on skating techniques, puck control, shooting, offensive and defensive play, Hockey IQ / creativity, in addition to skills specific to goaltending.  

Our Academy is committed to improving each student athlete's confidence, individual playing skills, and overall athletic development.

Parkland Hockey Group - Craig Kibblewhite & Jason Fischer

Craig Kibblewhite and Jason Fischer started Parkland Hockey Group seven years ago to service Stony Plain, Spruce Grove and Parkland County.

Since then, they have expanded their efforts out across Alberta to teach numerous coach clinics, perform player evaluations and complete countless player clinics.

PHA works with the following associations: 

• St. Albert Minor Hockey
• Beaumont Minor Hockey
• Westlock Minor Hockey
• Edson Minor Hockey
• Onoway Minor Hockey
• CR Knights
• Whitecourt Minor Hockey
• Eagles Hockey Academy

Craig Kibblewhite and Jason Fischer have:

• Served as PAC, and Spruce Grove Minor Hockey Board members.
• Coached within the Hockey Alberta Elite Stream during tryouts for the Alberta Cup.
• Multiple coaching credentials, including coaching Bantam AAA hockey.
• Multiple playing credentials, including winning the 1999 Allan Cup with the Stony Plain Eagles.
• Played WHL and Junior A.

Power Edge Pro Hockey - Jeremy Schaefer

Jeremy Schaefer played Bantam AAA hockey in Spruce Grove before moving on to play five seasons in the WHL for Medicine Hat Tigers, Saskatoon Blades and the Calgary Hitmen. In 1994, he was drafted by the Boston Bruins, and he completed his hockey career in the ECHL with the Roanoke Express.

As a parent, hockey coach and Power Edge Pro Instructor, Jeremy’s experience and extensive hockey background provide him with the knowledge, commitment and desire to get the best out of every young athlete. Jeremy brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the rink, and has been challenging young athletes with Power Edge Pro for the last seven seasons.

Quantum Speed - Vanessa Hettinger

Vanessa has built her career on helping skaters find their edge: she has had success working at all levels, and knows how to win. Her career highlights include working with thousands of athletes from novice to pro, and winning three WHL championships and a Memorial Cup Championship as Skating Coach with three WHL organizations (Edmonton Oil Kings 2007-2014, Tri-City Americans 2007-2014, and Swift Current Broncos 2017-2018). She is the first and only female skating coach awarded a Memorial Cup Ring (Edmonton Oil Kings in 2013).

Vanessa is one of only two recognized Master Skating Coaches with Hockey Canada (along with her business partner Steffany Hanlen), and is currently a leading Facilitator for Skate Canada’s “CanPowerSkate” program. Vanessa is responsible for the training of Quantum Speed instructors and for the implementation of the Quantum Speed System™, ensuring every skater receives the individual attention, coaching, correction and feedback needed to accelerate their results in record time.

MCN Sports Advising & Skill Development - Matt Gorman

Matt Gorman has a strong background in ice hockey. Growing up in St. Albert, Matt went on to play in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) for the Bow Valley Eagles and the Fort Saskatchewan Traders. It was while playing for the Traders that Matt became only the eighth player in league history to score over 60 goals in a season, and was named league MVP.

His play earned him a scholarship offer to play DI collegiate hockey at the University of North Dakota, but Matt turned pro instead, spending the next 11 seasons playing professionally in both the US and Europe. While in Europe he spent time in Germany and Italy, winning two league championships and two scoring titles along the way. He retired from pro hockey in 2008.

Matt’s dedication to the game is shown through his passion and ability to help young athletes work and strive towards their goals. He has tremendous teamwork ethic and has developed the MCN team with this mindset. He believes in advocating for his players and looks out for their best interest when guiding and mentoring them through the recruitment and training process. 

Dynamic Hockey - Matt Tassone & Kane LaFranchise

Matt was drafted in the sixth round by the Dallas Stars in 2008. His professional career that spanned five seasons before it was cut short due to an injury. Since retiring, Matt has spent the past five years with Dynamic hockey as a head skills instructor, as well as a head coach with the Northern Alberta Xtreme midget prep program. Taking from his own experiences as a player, Matt not only helps each player develop their on ice ability, but provides mentorship on the characteristics and habits that translate into becoming an elite level athlete.

Kane’s professional hockey career spanned eight years, with the majority spent in the American Hockey League. Since his retirement in 2018, Kane transitioned to the skill development industry where he’s worked with a variety of players from minor hockey to the professional level. Specializing in technical development, Kane focuses on creating a strong foundation for each player through strong edge-work and posture. This allows each player to not only stack skills, but it also encourages meaningful development as each progression translates to game-like situations.

Breakthrough Sports Performance - Richelle Cygan

Richelle Cygan is an honours graduate of the NAIT Personal Fitness Trainer diploma program, and an accredited Personal Trainer with the prestigious Canadian Society of Exercise Physiologists, who was mentored by Simon Bennett (Head Strength and conditioning coach for the Edmonton Oilers) and his colleagues for 100 hours where she learned about program design and implementation for athletes at AAA, WHL and NHL levels, and gained valuable insight to a variety of sports programming.  

Richelle has been personal training since 1998, specializing in youth athletics for the last eight years. She is headed into her third year with the Alberta Junior Hockey League where she is a consultant for the Spruce Grove Saints, and is working towards a Physiotherapy Assistant diploma from Medicine Hat College. Richelle is also Precision Nutrition Level 1 certified and is proud to help with general nutrition.