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By rdnewsNOW staff

partnership with notre dame

Grade 8 & 9 students at St. Francis can now enrol in new hockey course

Oct 2, 2025 | 5:13 PM

Red Deer’s St. Francis of Assisi Middle School is introducing a new hockey extension program through its Career and Technology Foundations courses.

For the first time, students in grades eight and nine can participate in a high-quality, skill-based hockey program designed to align with student interests, while promoting engagement, wellness, and sport development.

“Our focus on student engagement led us to expand CTF programming in ways that honour student voice and choice,” said Rori-Lynn Daniel, principal.

“We are thrilled to partner with Notre Dame High School to bring this programming to life for our students. The Hockey Extension Program not only allows students to strengthen their skills and develop leadership on the ice, but it also introduces them to exciting career pathways in coaching, sports medicine, athletic training, nutrition, and sports management — helping them see how their passion for hockey can translate into real-world opportunities.”

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• Eligibility: Open to STF Grade 9 students enrolled in organized hockey for the 2024–2025 season and registered for 2025–2026. If space is available, Grade 8 students may join.
• Sessions: 22 on-ice skill development sessions per term at Penhold Regional Multiplex, plus 4 off-ice sessions focused on leadership, nutrition, career pathways, and goal setting. These off-ice sessions introduce students to potential career opportunities in coaching, sports medicine, athletic training, nutrition and wellness, sports management, and media, helping them connect their passion for hockey with real-world professional pathways.
• Schedule: Mondays and Wednesdays during Terms 1 and 2. Students are assigned to one term, not both, based on level of play, position, and available spots (including room for goalies each term).

Instruction Team

• Lead Instructor: Mr. Erik Lodge, NDHS Hockey Academy
• STF Teacher: Mr. Jordan Koopmans
• On-Ice Coaches: Mr. Brett Wold (NDHS), Mr. Jordan Koopmans (STF), Mr. Tanner Jaillet (goalie instruction), and other certified instructors affiliated with the NDHS Hockey Academy.

According to Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, 23 students will be enrolled each term, training in skating, puck handling, passing, shooting, and game awareness, while also gaining valuable off-ice insights and exploring career pathways from guest speakers.