Desjardins’ hockey academy not worried

He won’t be spending much time in southern Alberta for the rest of the hockey season, but those involved with the academy bearing Willie Desjardins’ name aren’t worried in the least now that he’s coaching the Los Angeles Kings.

If anything, they’re excited for the prospects of the long-time professional coach and what they could add to their new program.

“You don’t go put your name on something that you’re not going to make sure is good,” said Darren MacMillan, who helps run the Willie Desjardins South Alberta Hockey Academy and teaches at Eagle Butte High School. “That means entrusting the people that are working for you to do the job. You’re going to make sure it’s done well.”

Desjardins replaces John Stevens in Los Angeles, fired by the Kings 13 games in to his second season with the team. After coaching Canada at the Olympics earlier this year, the ex-Medicine Hat Tigers and Vancouver Canucks bench boss helped launch the academy in July. His son, Brayden, is among the on-ice coaches who will continue to work with the 63 athletes in the Prairie Rose School Division.

“He has Brayden, who is tightly involved, but he’s also committed to keep in weekly contact with us,” said Prairie Rose assistant superintendent Reagan Weeks. “We wanted people to know he’s still absolutely involved. This is his baby, he’s going to make sure it continues to operate in the manner he envisioned.”

In a press release from the school division, Desjardins reaffirmed that sentiment, noting that “my goals have not changed.”

“When we started the academy we knew that we could provide students with outstanding academic, athletic and leadership opportunities,” said Desjardins in the release. “This will not change. I am committed to this academy and to the goals my team has set in place.”

Desjardins has spent plenty of time in both on- and off-ice sessions with athletes, and some of his classroom activity will continue remotely. MacMillan said many students are excited for what sort of experiences the coach might be able to relay.

“Willie wasn’t running the ice sessions, Brayden was,” noted MacMillan. “Or if you went to Redcliff, it was Jerrid Sauer (among others).

“What Willie was really able to provide these kids is all the anecdotal stuff. In my mind, those anecdotals are going to be even better because now we’re going to be able to connect with him through video conferencing.”

Weeks added the Global Sport Academy, which runs other sports school programs in Alberta, also remains involved.