18U Boys
ELITE INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY, UNIVERSITY-PREP EDUCATION
Purcell Hockey Academy (PHA), a division of Purcell Collegiate School, was established for the 2024-25 school year as a 19U Girls’ Prep hockey program. For the 2025-26 school year, PHA will be expanding to include a 16U Girls’ Prep hockey program in addition to new options for boys participating in the 18U and 17U programs at Kootenay Hockey Academy Student-athletes will attend Purcell Collegiate School in the morning and practice and train in the afternoon, on the ice at arenas in Kimberley and Cranbrook and off the ice at a variety of partner venues for yoga, CrossFit, climbing, and more. In the evening, boarding students will have the opportunity to participate in study halls and school clubs.
18U BOYS' TEAM
Purcell Collegiate School (PCS) is proud to be partnering with the Kootenay Hockey Academy (KHA), owned and operated by the Cranbrook Bucks of the BCHL, starting from the 2025-26 school year. The partnership creates the opportunity for elite student-athletes from outside the Kimberley/Cranbrook area to play for KHA while attending Purcell Collegiate for school and living in its dormitory. We look forward to welcoming 18U/17U boys from other parts of Canada, the USA, and around the world to live, learn, train, and play with KHA in the elite Junior Prospects Hockey League (JPHL).
Purcell Hockey Academy programming is structured to maximize each participant’s access to the exceptional educational opportunity afforded by attending Purcell Collegiate School. Academy staff work closely with school staff to ensure participants thrive both on and off the ice.
Academy/Team fees
Each player’s academy/team fees support the following costs:
- basic academy operating costs including but not limited to ice fees (practices and games), officiating fees, insurance, and off-ice training facility rental costs
- team equipment incl. practice jerseys, home and away game jerseys and socks, team gloves, team hockey pants, team helmet, team gear bag, performance t-shirt and shorts, and a team tracksuit
- core staff (head coach, assistant coach, etc.)
- guest coaches (skills, goaltending, etc.)
- team travel to games, tournaments, and showcases
School fees
Each player’s school fees support the following costs for attending Purcell Collegiate School (PCS):
- tuition fees
- IT fee (laptop/backpack)
- school uniform fees
- medical insurance
- boarding program (school dorm: 2 students to a room)
Training schedule
At 200′ by 805′, we see the rink as our largest classroom! This is where Coach Kelvin Cech is at his best, working with each student-athlete to evolve their game, fueling their development as players and as people.
- over 180 hours of on-ice practices during school day
- off-ice training and development
- strength coach, skills coach, goalie coach, trainer
Competition schedule
Kootenay Hockey Academy is a member of the Junior Prospects Hockey League (JPHL) and will compete as follows:
- 30+ regular season games
- JPHL playoffs
For more information, visit https://juniorprospectshockeyleague.com/
Key academy staff
These are the people leading Kootenay Hockey Academy on and off the ice in support of cultivating pathways to university scholarships and bursaries:
- Head Coach: Kelvin Cech
- Assistant Coach: Carter Spring
- Trainer: Dawson Pelletier
- President: Nathan Lieuwen
KHA is owned and operated by the Cranbrook Bucks of the BCHL. Kelvin Cech is also Assistant Coach of the Bucks. More info: https://www.cranbrookbucks.ca/
The information contained above is subject to change and may be updated from time to time. Please confirm any and all information prior to enrolling with Purcell Collegiate. To download the information contained above as a PDF, click the links below as follows: SNAPSHOT INT for international students; and SNAPSHOT CAD for Canadian students from outside the Kimberley/Cranbrook area.
FEE INFORMATION
We recognize that enrolling in an independent school requires a significant investment in your child’s future and that pursuing elite hockey programming and play adds to those costs.
When possible, PCS is pleased to support payment plans for PHA-related fees using the following schedule:
-
- 40% of total fees: due upon enrollment
- 20% of total fees: due September 30
- 20% of total fees: due November 30
- 20% of total fees: due January 31
Note: Canadian students may also qualify for payment plans for school fees. Due to IRCC processing regulations, international students must pay school fees in full in advance of having their Letters of Acceptance issued.
Financial Aid
PHA scholarships and bursaries: We want you to be successful at university—and in life. Participating in the Purcell Hockey Academy (PHA) is about exploring your potential and expanding your horizons; it’s about taking the lead and being part of a team; and it’s about doing your part and finding your way.
When you’re prepared to do your part, we’re prepared to help you find a way. That’s why PCS sponsors a variety of merit- and needs-based scholarships and bursaries for qualifying student-athletes.
When it comes to financial aid, our goal is to get an assist. To find out how to score a bursary or scholarship, email us at admissions@purcellcollegiate.ca.
Billet Program
Billet families are an integral part of Purcell Hockey Academy (PHA) program. Even though we are primarily a boarding school, we maintain a network of billet families to ensure we can meet the needs of all of our student-athletes. The active and enthusiastic participation of billet families in our program enhances each student-athlete’s cultural experience and contributes to the maximization of their time with PHA at Purcell Collegiate School.
Interested in becoming a billet family? Our Homestay/Billet Program would like to hear from you if you and your family:
- are passionate about the sport of hockey and supportive of the growth of female hockey in Canada and around the world;
- have an extra bedroom in your home;
- speak English as the primary language in your home; and
- want to welcome a world-class student-athlete (or two!) into your home, your community, and your life!
Families are still be recruited for the 2025-26 school year/hockey season. If you are interested in learning more about this exciting opportunity, please contact us.