RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna has done it again.
For the second consecutive season, RHA Kelowna captured three of six CSSHL Division I Western Championships, with titles in U17 Prep, U18 Prep, and Female U18 Prep - solidifying its position as one of the premier development programs in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League.
After making history last year, this season wasn’t about surprise; it was about standard.
U18 Prep: From Breakthrough to Benchmark
After earning their first championship last season, the U18 Prep group returned with a different kind of pressure - the expectation to do it again.
And they delivered. Check out the video following U18P’s full playoff run and championship win!
“This was a tight-knit group that showed a strong level of support for one another and a willingness push each other in order to improve. They took pride in coming to the rink each day and putting in the work. That commitment and consistency over the course of the season is what ultimately led to a championship.”
U18 Prep head coach Josh Bonar noted.
Female U18 Prep: A Dynasty in Motion
Dominance continues.
The Female U18 Prep team secured another CSSHL Championship, extending their run to five consecutive titles - a streak that’s almost unheard of at this level. Every year brings a new group, new challenges, and new pressure. And every year, the result has been the same.
“Our culture and compete level set this group apart. They made a real commitment to buying in as a team and contributing to something bigger than themselves. With so much turnover, it was impressive to see how they pushed each other, accepted one another, and came together, this is a championship they’ll remember forever.”
Female U18 Prep head coach, Garrett Festerling
(Photography by Sophie Isaac)
“This program and the people in it mean everything to me. This year we have gone through lots of ups and downs, but I have never once doubted this team. In playoffs we worked together, made sacrifices, and left it all out there. I am beyond proud of this group of girls, and I am so grateful to have been a part of this special group.”
Ava McDermid, defender on RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna's Female U18 Prep team
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U17 Prep: The Next Wave Delivers
The U17 Prep team once again proved that the pipeline is real.
(Photography by Sophie Isaac)
"What separated us from every other team was our culture and willingness to buy in. Everyone knew they could rely on the guy next to them to do their job. That's what made our group special, the belief the belief they had in each other."
U17 Prep head coach, Jason Richter
(Photography by Sophie Isaac)
"It’s been a pretty special experience. Playoffs just have a different feel, everything’s more intense, every shift matters a little more. What stood out the most is how the group has come together. You can see by the buy in, the way the guys were competing for each other, and how much everyone cared. It’s been really special to be a part of. What I’ll remember the most is how the team handled the big moments. There were times where things could have gone the other way, but the group stayed composed and found a way to respond. Whether it was a big goal or just a big hit or blocked shot. Those moments showed a lot of character of this team.”
Kaius Millan, assistant captain on the RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna U17 Prep team
Building a Culture of Champions
This continued success speaks to more than just talent. It reflects alignment across the entire academy. From on-ice development and performance training to mental performance and recovery, every piece of the program contributes to a bigger picture.
Executive Director Maco Balkovec highlighted the broader significance of these victories for the entire academy:
“Winning back-to-back championships in the U18 Female Prep the U18 Prep and U17 Prep is simply an incredible accomplishment for our players, their families and our staff. It’s a testament to our program, our development model, and most importantly our people. It shows that good people matter, values matter, and development matters. Winning will take care of itself if you put those things above it. We have an incredible staff here that understands this, that things like joy and the details of the skills and progressions matter. We talk every day about the process and about our kids we know them inside and out, and we pay attention to it. I couldn’t be any happier for our entire staff it really is a team effort.”
If you would like to be part of the most dominant academy in the CSSHL, sign up for one of our evaluation camps!
