Cougars Hockey To Coach Youth Camp

Hockey Brandon and Assiniboine Cougars Partner to Deliver Female Led Female Hockey Development Camp

BRANDON, MB – Hockey Brandon and the Assiniboine Community College’s (ACC) Cougars Women’s Hockey Team are partnering for the first time to deliver a female-led hockey development camp targeting female players in the U15, U13 and U11 divisions.

“Our female program was a big focus at Hockey Brandon’s AGM at the end of August this year,” says Ryan Shields, Player Development Director with Hockey Brandon. “Parents asked for more female specific programming. We listened and are offering a truly exceptional and unique development camp that integrates leadership and instruction from a championship winning college hockey program right here in our community!”

The Cougars Women’s Hockey Team are the 2019 American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division II National Champions. They followed that up with an undefeated season in 2020 before COVID-19 cancelled the championships. This successful program recruits players from across the province who have played at the AAA and AA levels.

Tony Bertone, Head Coach of the Cougars, is a long-time advocate for the growth of the female game. Bertone who has been head coach of the program since 2018, immediately saw the benefits in the partnership and was quick to offer his support.

“When Hockey Brandon Director and ACC Instructor Amy Doerksen approached me with the idea, it was an obvious win-win for everyone involved,” says Bertone. “This is an opportunity for women to lead female player development through mentorship. Cougar players gain valuable leadership skills and an exposure to coaching. The female players attending get direction from female leaders in the sport who are currently playing at a high level.”

The eight-week camp runs Wednesday mornings at the Sportsplex from 7:00am to 7:50am starting Wednesday, October 20^th. The registration fee is $150 a player and payable to Hockey Brandon. The program is open to all girls ages 10 through 14 in the area. Being a registered player with Hockey Brandon is not a requirement.

For more information or to register contact 204-726-3550 or hockeybrandon@mymts.net.

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Contact Information:

Ryan Shields, Player Development Director, Hockey Brandon, ryanshields@royallepage.ca 204-573-1060

Amy Doerksen, U7 Director, Hockey Brandon, amy_c_doerksen@hotmail.com 204-761-7335

Beth Clark, Athletics Associate, Assiniboine Community College, clarkbeth@assiniboine.net 204-573-2996