Pilot Mound, MB – What began as a single team in 2015–16 has grown into one of southwestern Manitoba’s most ambitious hockey development programs. Pilot Mound Hockey Academy (PMHA), once the “little academy that could,” is now preparing for its next major leap: the addition of a U17 male team for the upcoming season.
General Manager Nichole Collins says the expansion is about more than just hockey—it’s about opportunity, community, and sustainability.
“If you aren’t growing, you’re falling behind,” Collins explained. “We want to keep building a successful academy and provide as many players as possible with the chance to stay here, develop, and chase their hockey dreams.”
Building a Complete Pathway
Currently, PMHA fields four teams: U15 Male Prep, U17 Male Prep, U18 Male Prep, and U18 Female Prep. With the addition of the new U17 squad—and a U15 team planned within the next two years—the academy will offer a full development pathway for male student-athletes from Grade 8 through Grade 12.
Collins emphasized that the new U17 team will serve as a critical bridge for players who aren’t quite ready to jump directly from U15 Prep to U17 Prep.
“This new U17 team is the perfect stepping stone,” she said. “It allows athletes to continue their development at the right pace, without having to leave our program or community.”
Strengthening Community Roots
For PMHA, expansion isn’t just about hockey—it’s about keeping young people in Pilot Mound. In the past, athletes who weren’t ready for the Prep jump often had to return to their home organizations or transfer to other academies. The new teams will help prevent that, ensuring more students remain part of the PMHA family.
The Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) has long offered divisions that PMHA is now poised to join fully. Once the expansion is complete, the academy will ice six teams across every division, giving 120 student-athletes identical development experiences both on and off the ice.
Preparing for Growth
The expansion comes with significant logistical challenges. PMHA will hire two new coaches and begin construction on additional dormitory space to house 40 new players. Groundbreaking is planned for April 2026, with a September move-in date targeted.
Recruitment and staffing are already underway, with Collins acknowledging the scale of the project:
“It’s a little scary to jump into, but scary just means growth. We’ve learned to embrace that feeling with excitement and pride.”
Looking Ahead
The U17 team will debut next season, with the U15 team to follow within one to two years. For Collins and the academy, the expansion represents not only growth in numbers but also a stronger reputation within the CSSHL and Canadian hockey.
“We’ve worked hard to increase the quality and depth of our teams,” Collins said. “We’re in a good place now, but we’re not done. This is the right move for our players, our community, and the future of PMHA.”
With its latest expansion, Pilot Mound Hockey Academy continues to prove that small-town programs can make a big impact—on the ice, in the classroom, and throughout the community.
For more information, please reach out to Nichole at Nichole@pilotmoundhockeyacademy.com
