The gift of the game

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/01/2018 (3120 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Two years ago, Ryan Giesbrecht didn’t know how to skate. Now, thanks to the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy, the Grade 7 student at Chief Peguis Junior High (1400 Rothesay St.) can play either forward or defense, just like his favourite Winnipeg Jet, Dustin Byfuglien.

“At first I just kept falling and falling, but I kept trying and trying,” said Giesbrecht, 12, who spends an hour on the ice every Monday through the 25-week program, and another 13 hours in after-school sessions. “Now I finally got it. I’m pretty happy about that.”

The Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy is a program run by the True North Youth Foundation that gives students who have never been involved in organized sport a chance to lace up and play hockey, while increasing school attendance and graduation rates in schools whose populations may face social or economic challenges.

“What we’re trying to do is use hockey to get them attached to their academic lives,” Murray Cobb, director of the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy, explained.

“What distinguishes our program from (Canadian Tire’s) Jumpstart or the First Shift is we pick up the same kids in elementary school and stay with them until they graduate,” Cobb added. “After a few years, they realize that the community is invested in their futures, and wants to see them achieve success. That’s really special, that long term consistency and connection we make with the kids is what will really help them to graduate.”

Equipment is donated to the program for the players to use free of charge and transportation is provided, eliminating two of the primary barriers kids experience in playing hockey.

“We’re fortunate at the school level because we see the benefits daily,” said Jordon Yvon-Moreau, a counsellor at Chief Peguis Junior High who has been involved with the WJHA program now for six years. “I can’t tell you how many positive opportunities it’s given to the kids. It builds confidence, and it opens them up to talk about their lives in general. It’s a positive connection that’s extremely important at this age.”

Along with the on-ice programming, students are treated to outings like the annual Winnipeg Jets Skills Competition, and Jets and Manitoba Moose games. Participants are also invited to attend True North Youth Foundation’s Camp Manitou for a week in the summer, where they spend half their days at the camp, and the other half playing hockey at the Bell MTS Iceplex.

“That’s been a big addition for us to keep that connection during the summer, rather than just shaking their hand in May, see you in September,” Cobb said. “Now we see the kids year-round.”

The Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy runs programs in 23 schools throughout the River East-Transcona, Winnipeg 1 and St. James-Assiniboia School Divisions.

“When the Jets came back in 2011, we had 125 students and six schools,” Cobb said. “Now we’re up to 23 schools and nearly 800 students. As the program grows, we need more people involved.”

This year, the academy will see 13 of its earliest participants, who first got involved in 2010-11 as Grade 5 students in the WJHA predecessor program Lil’ Moose, graduate from high school.

“Soon we’ll be graduating classes of 50 and ultimately it will peak at around 75 grads a year with the numbers we’re at now,” Cobb said. “The kids that start in elementary, by middle school they start to catch up with regard to attendance and marks. And the ones who stick with it through to high school are now surpassing the student body in terms of academic average and attendance.”

The WJHA relies on volunteers through its Living Philanthropy program to help coach 600 of the 750 kids who are currently enrolled in the program. Gerry Price, CEO of Price Industries, first got involved back in 2010, and has been a big supporter ever since. Price Industries sponsors the Chief Peguis Junior High teams.

“I see the smiles and enthusiasm on their faces here at the rink,” Price said. “It gives me joy to see that. And I see our guys out there on the ice with the kids, and it brings joy to volunteer and have a positive impact on a young person who needs a lift.”

Cale David, a mechanical division sales representative with Price Industries, has been volunteering as a coach with the Chief Peguis kids now for five years.

“It’s awesome,” said David, who grew up playing hockey in rural Manitoba and later moved on to play at the junior level with the Winnipeg Saints.

“You see everyone develop in some way or another,” David added. “The funny thing is, when your hockey career is over and you have to grow up and get a job, you don’t always have a chance to get out and do things like this. My favourite part is the fact that I can get on the ice and introduce these guys to the game that’s given me so much.”