Purcell Collegiate School (PCS) has announced the launch of the Purcell Hockey Academy (PHA), an elite female U18 hockey program which is set to begin operation in September 2024.  Thus far, PHA has received commitments from 10 student-athletes from a variety of countries including Canada, the USA, Hungary, Ukraine, and Czechia.  The program will be led by Head Coach, Valeriia (Val) Manchak-Jensen and Associate Coach, Megan Hostasek.  The students will train on the ice at the Civic Centre and off the ice at a variety of local business ranging from gyms to yoga studios.

Manchak-Jensen is a multi-sport athlete originally from Ukraine, who previously qualified to participate in the Olympic games in Rio as a boxer before becoming a karate world champion.   She’s an elite hockey player herself having played pro in the USA and as captain of the Ukrainian national team which she recently led to the IIHF Division III championship this year as team captain and leading scorer in the tournament.

Hostasek was born and raised in Kimberley.  After playing academy hockey in Alberta during high school she was awarded a full scholarship to attend Ohio State where she played NCAA Division 1 hockey for four years where she was a 4-time Varsity Letter Winner, 4-time OSU Scholar-Athlete, 3-time WCHA All-Academic Team, and an All-Big 10 Academic selection.  Following that, she coached in both the USA and Sweden.

Students participating in PHA will attend Purcell Collegiate School (PCS) in Grades 10, 11, and 12. PCS plans to expand the academy in the future to include teams for younger girls as well.