Bulldozers then zambonis and laptops - Construction begins on the Canadian
International Hockey Academy, Eastern Canada's premier hockey prep school

www.cihacademy.com

ROCKLAND, ON, June 17 /CNW Telbec/ - First the bulldozers, then the Zambonis and laptops. Designs were unveiled and the official sod-turning took place today to mark the beginning of construction on the student residence and $20.4 million twin-ice Arena, Event and Training centre that will form the core of the campus for the Canadian International Hockey Academy (CIH Academy). CIH Academy's new campus, soon to be Eastern Canada's premier hockey prep school, has also been named as one of Hockey Canada's national training facilities.

The result of the vision of local businessman Robert Bourdeau, CIH Academy's co-ed students aged 14-18 will train in the intensive hockey program while earning their high school diplomas in a boarding school environment. The state-of-the-art, purpose-built campus will be located just 30 minutes outside of Ottawa, Canada, in the heart of Hockey Country.

"CIH Academy is about creating a balanced environment for boys and girls to succeed in the classroom, on the ice, and to graduate with the education, hockey and leadership skills to take them where they want to go - in school, in hockey, and in life," said Mr. Bourdeau.

Under the hockey leadership of Stanley Cup-winning coach Bob Hartley, and the academic direction of the Upper Canada District School Board, students at CIH Academy will pursue an integrated educational and hockey training program designed to maximize the amount of time they spend on the ice and in the classroom.

"CIH Academy's high calibre hockey program will give our students a hockey edge - the on-ice and off-ice training in NHL-style facilities right here on campus will help them excel in every aspect of the game," said Bob Hartley, former Stanley Cup-winning coach of the Colorado Avalanche and CIH Academy's Senior Hockey Advisor.

"CIH Academy and the Upper Canada District School Board are working together to ensure students experience a premier education while honing their hockey skills. Through laptops, e-learning, and tailored Independent Learning Modules, students will stay on top of their schoolwork, even when they are on the road for games," said Frank Hummell, CIH Academy's school principal.

CIH Academy has signed a 10 year MOU with Hockey Canada, making the campus a Hockey Canada training centre and ensuring that CIH Academy students will be surrounded by top-level hockey. CIH Academy teams will compete as part of the Ottawa District Hockey Association.

"Hockey Canada looks forward to enjoying a long-term relationship with CIH Academy and its students," said Glen McCurdie, Senior Director, Member Services, representing Hockey Canada.

"Our relationship with Hockey Canada is a special part of the CIH Academy advantage," said Mr. Bourdeau. "Our students will be exposed to scouts from hockey organizations across North America, while the combined academic and hockey programs will prepare them for the next steps in post-secondary education."

The Canadian International Hockey Academy, Eastern Canada's premier hockey prep school, is a private, co-educational, hockey boarding school for competitive-level students ages 14 through 18 from Canada and around the world to live, learn, and play hockey. Located in beautiful Clarence-Rockland, Ontario, just 30 minutes outside of Canada's capital, Ottawa, CIH Academy's on-campus pro-style facilities, faculty and educational program will provide students with a tailored educational, hockey and living environment to help them succeed in school, in hockey, and in life.

Classes will begin in Sept 2011. Applications for enrolment will be accepted beginning in Sept 2010. For more information please visit www.cihacademy.com.

For further information: Marie-France MacKinnon, Bluesky Strategy Group, T: [phone] ext. 229, c: 613-853-3940, [email protected]; Mathieu Mault, CIH Academy, T: 1-877-244-9199, c: 613-720-0464, [email protected]