Affiliate Sites expand
Hockey Canada logo

Connecting athletics and academics

Before he embarked on a successful junior hockey career, Riley Stotts thrived in an environment tailor-made for development at the Hockey Canada Skills Academy

Jessica Gowans
|
November 27, 2018

Riley Stotts is in the midst of his third WHL season, wears a letter as an alternate captain with the Calgary Hitmen, wore the Maple Leaf at the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and is a Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick. But before all of that, he was on the ice as part of the Hockey Canada Skills Academy at Shaftesbury High School in Winnipeg, Man.

Stotts attended the HCSA at Shaftesbury in his Grade 9-10 years from 2013-15 before heading to Swift Current after the Broncos took him 10th overall in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft. He had 19 points in 74 games in Swift Current before a trade in the early part of the 2017-18 season sent him to the Hitmen.

“It was a lot of fun, something I looked forward to all week at school,” says Stotts of being part of an HCSA. “With all the stress from my classes, it was a huge help to have that break from the classroom when you got to go in the afternoon and play hockey. It was special to be able to do that.”

The HCSA program is one period during the school day, five days a week. Each week is split between on-ice skills training, off-ice sessions and classroom instruction.

Stotts believes that the program was the perfect environment for him during that time. “It was a time in my life where I was trying to be around the people who could help me be the best,” he says. “I learned so much, improved my skills and became a much better player.”

For Eugene Kaminsky, an instructor with the HCSA at Shaftesbury since the program’s inception in 2008, Stotts’ skill was undeniable. But what struck him even more than the talent was Stotts’ attitude and drive to be better.

“Riley was always on the ice as soon as he could be, constantly working on skills,” he says. “I can remember making passes to him over and over again because he wanted to work on the quick release on his shot. I think that’s an indication of his dedication to the sport, and his willingness to become a better hockey player.”

With a focus on skill development, and the ability to train during school hours, it’s easy to see the benefits of the HCSA program for top-end players who are looking to further their hockey careers. But Kaminsky sees the program as a two-way street where students of all skill levels benefit from being in the program together.

“It’s really neat to see the interaction between the top-end players, and some of the players that aren’t as skilled. In my opinion, it gives some of these highly-skilled players and appreciation for the skill they do have, compared to other players that don’t have that natural ability,” he says. “I think both get a lot out of that, the appreciation of the game, the comradery from being out on the ice, and helping out other students.”

It’s a sentiment Stotts agrees with wholeheartedly. “It’s great for everyone, not just people who play at a high level. You can learn a lot, become such a better player and just have a lot of fun out there on the ice.”

For more information:

Esther Madziya
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 284-6484 

[email protected] 

Spencer Sharkey
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 777-4567

[email protected]

Jeremy Knight
Manager, Corporate Communications
Hockey Canada

(647) 251-9738

[email protected]

Photos
Videos
2025 U18WWC: CAN 3 – USA 0 (Gold Medal)
Grenier made 14 saves to backstop Canada to its eighth U18 gold medal.
2025 U18WWC: CAN 4 – CZE 2 (Semifinal)
Zablocki and Tiller had 1G 1A apiece to send Canada to play for gold.
2025 U18WWC: CAN 17 – JPN 0 (Quarterfinal)
Zablocki and Cimoroni had 3G 2A each to help Canada into the semis.
2025 U18WWC: CAN 6 – SVK 2 (Preliminary)
Canada pulled away in the third period to earn an opening-game win.
2025 U18WWC: CAN 5 – CZE 0 (Preliminary)
Grenier made 20 saves to backstop Canada to a perfect prelims.
2025 U18WWC: CAN 5 – SUI 1 (Preliminary)
Copetti scored twice to help Canada to a victory over the Swiss.
2025 WJC: CZE 4 – CAN 3 (Quarterfinal)
Nadeau tied it with 4:18 left, but Canada was eliminated by the Czechs.
2025 WJC: USA 4 – CAN 1 (Preliminary)
Nadeau scored on a third-period PP, but Canada fell to the Americans.
2024 Spengler Cup: STR 4 – CAN 2 (Semifinal)
Carr scored 2G, but Canada fell to the Tigers in the Spengler semis.
2025 WJC: CAN 3 – GER 0 (Preliminary)
George made 25 saves for the SO to help Canada blank the Germans.
2024 Spengler Cup: CAN 6 – STR 3 (Preliminary)
Shaw scored twice to help Canada down the Tigers and clinch a SF spot.
2024 Spengler Cup: CAN 6 – DAV 2 (Preliminary)
Hudon scored 2G to lead Canada past the hosts in the Spengler opener.
Schedule
HC Logo
San Jose, CA | Salt Lake City, UT | Boise, ID | Halifax, NS | Summerside, PE
Date: Nov 6 to Feb 8
HC Logo
Lloydminster, AB, Canada
Date: Apr 20 to 26
HC Logo
The Fraser Valley, BC, Canada
Date: Apr 21 to 27
HC Logo
Calgary , ON, Canada
Date: May 8 to 18
HC Logo
Stockholm, SWE & Herning, DEN
Date: May 9 to 25