Since its inception in 2008, the Hockey Canada Skills Academy at Shaftesbury High School has attracted students from across Manitoba and around the world.

In previous years, the program has welcomed students from Germany, Switzerland, Mexico and the Czech Republic. This year, Shaftesbury is excited to have three new international students joining the Hockey Canada Skills Academy – Taichi Sato from Japan, Davide Rasom from Italy and Jan De Visscher from Belgium.

All three students elected to attend Shaftesbury High because of the opportunity to develop their hockey skills and further their love of the game through the Hockey Canada Skills Academy. Both Taichi and Davide have also joined the Shaftesbury boys team. Davide is already excited to share what he has learned when he returns home to Italy and touched on his first few weeks .

“Coming to Canada to play and learn more about hockey is a great opportunity. I can go to school here, play with very good players and learn from wonderful coaches ,” he said. “I am excited to be in a country where hockey means as much as it does to me. The hockey academy is a wonderful class to be a part of.”

Taichi echoed Davide’s comments and has also been impressed with his experience.

“I was not sure what to expect when I was coming to play hockey in the hockey academy ,” he said. “I knew I would be learning about hockey, but did not realize I would learn so much. I am excited to be in Canada and play with other Canadian hockey players.”

As the Hockey Canada Skills Academy at Shaftesbury approaches its 10th anniversary, it is exciting to see the impact the program has had on students from near and far, and the international connections that hockey can provide.