The Prairie Hockey Academy is getting closer and closer to their inaugural season and they took a big step forward this week with the hiring of Lloyd Friesen as Head Coach of their Bantam Prep team.

“We are very excited to have someone of Lloyd’s experience join our academy,” said PHA President Justin Simpkins in a media release.

Friesen has been a part of the Moose Jaw and Caronport hockey community for the past three decades. He spent 12 seasons as the head coach of Caronport High School’s Midget AA Cougars from 1986-1998 before joining the Moose Jaw Midget AAA Warriors from 1999-2002.

After a number of years off, Friesen returned behind the bench of the Briercrest Clippers in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference from 2013-15.

“This is an exciting opportunity for me,” said Friesen in a media release. “To re-engage and help young hockey players develop their skills to enjoy the game of hockey. To complement the on-ice product, we will have a strong off-ice program that will intentionally develop these young men as leaders for life.”

PHA is the first Hockey Canada Sports School in Saskatchewan and will operate out of the Barkman Arena in Caronport starting this fall.

Simpkins said they’re looking forward to having someone with Friesen’s experience behind the bench for the inaugural season.

“Lloyd brings a lot of leadership, wisdom and coaching experience to our Academy. He is a great coach, but is also a leader and a mentor,” he stated. “Having Lloyd a part of your coaching staff gives us someone who has significant relationships in the hockey community and can help us continue to building Prairie Hockey Academy and its footprint in the hockey community.”

In addition to serving as the Bantam Prep Head Coach, Friesen will also handle the alumni relations for PHA.

PHA will be hosting the Royden Taylor Golf Classic coming up on July 14 at the Hillcrest Golf Club. Click here for registration information.