TESTIMONIALS

At PMHA, we strive to provide our players with the best experience possible. One way we can better ourselves is to hear from you, the parents, the alumni, our supporters. Since our inception, we have heard from you. To better give future families an idea of what the Pilot Mound experience is, here is what our extended family is saying:

"Rod Collins is the perfect choice for new Pilot Mound Hockey Academy.  His knowledge and experience will help top young athletes develop an elite level of skill and competitiveness. I was fortunate enough to have Rod as my first Jr. Coach with the Winkler Flyers and learned how to be a very competitive athlete under him. He expected nothing short of the best every day and had the edge to make us all mentally tough, which came in very handy throughout my NHL career.  I confidently recommend this program to all young prospects."
ED BELFOUR
NHL HALL OF FAME GOALTENDER
"Having Rod Collins for the Pilot Mound Hockey Program is the key that will help kids develop and learn from someone who has years of experience in the boarding school style of hockey development. Rod was like a teacher for me in how to play the game, develop my skill set and be a competitor. In the 17 years of University and professional hockey around the world, I only wish I had been given more time to train under Rod."
JACOB MICFLIKIER
FORMER PLAYER OF ROD COLLINS
“ Going through the program at PMHA for three years has given me the experience to grow and develop as a young man and hockey player. The academy allows you, as a player, to dip your feet into the prep and junior leagues across North America; getting you exposure to hockey networks. The daily practices helped me gain the advantage of being in the absolute best shape, skill set, and mindset to have what it takes to move onto junior hockey. My past head coach Rick McConnell and assistant coach Ernie Sutherland gave our team great leadership and passed on their knowledge of the game which gave us the fuel to win the 2020 CSSHL Midget Varsity Championship. Rod Collins was helping us by calling scouts and coaches to get players where they wanted to be. Billy Keane was my previous Head Coach and GM for the OCN Blizzard in the MJHL and helped guide me in having a very successful first year of junior hockey by believing in me and putting me in situations where I could best showcase myself. These attributes gave me confidence in my abilities in pursuing an ongoing junior career and move into the college level in the future”
BRETT TATARYN
FORMER PMHA MALE BUFFALO
“ My two years spent at the Pilot Mound Hockey Academy were above and beyond what I could’ve asked for. I went into the academy not knowing where I wanted to go with hockey and came out confident and ready to make the jump into Junior A hockey. I was fortunate enough to meet several great people on my journey as a Buffalo and friends that I will have for life. Thank you to my coaches Rick, Rod, and Ernie for pushing me to be my best and to the rest of the academy staff for making life in Pilot Mound enjoyable while creating memories that I will forever cherish. If you are looking to go somewhere with hockey and enjoy yourself while doing it, I would strongly recommend the Pilot Mound Hockey Academy. ”
MATTY HARROLD
FORMER PMHA MALE BUFFALO
"The two years I spent in Pilot Mound exceeded my expectations in every way. The academy lifestyle provided me the opportunity to learn about different cultures and lifestyles, fall back in love with the sport, and reach my goal of playing NCAA hockey. The tight-knit community within Pilot Mound altered my college searches, helping me to realize I wanted a small, supportive atmosphere where long-lasting friendships are made. I valued that the CSSHL and the tournaments we played in throughout the United States and Canada equally emphasized athleticism, education, and high moral character, like the academy. My experiences in Pilot Mound ultimately allowed me to successfully transition into an NCAA program, succeed during my first years of college, and establish new relationships in the classroom and at the rink."
KATIE POUNDER
FORMER PMHA FEMALE BUFFALO
" Pilot Mound Hockey Academy is such a great program with skilled, knowledgeable caring staff. The academy is a family-owned business situated in a small community. Our son played for three years at the academy and moved far away from home. We always felt that he had gone to live as part of a family that was able to further his hockey goals. The town embraces the athletes, the academy expects high standards from the players. The school has a very supportive staff that is willing to help students achieve their goals while also traveling on the road. The hockey exposure is exceptional playing in leagues in Canada and the USA. Our son has had many invites to junior camps as well as some college showcases because of his involvement in the Academy. The Academy staff has many connections to help further players' dreams and goals. Having just one female and one male team the players get special individual attention. This program teaches life skills as well as hockey, it is well worth the money. We have nothing but good things to say about our experience."
CARMAN AND DENNIS EWART
PARENTS OF FORMER PMHA MALE BUFFALO, TYNAN
" The solo year I spent in Pilot Mound was the academy's first year running and it was all I could've asked for, and then some more. It was a great season for development on the ice because of the amount of time we spent at the rink each day with practice and workouts than going back for open ice later in the day. Being on the ice so much helped my game advance to the next level. Living away from home as a sixteen-year-old also taught me many life lessons, and I was very fortunate to have amazing people (Doug and Ginger Collins) as billet parents. The places we traveled to and the bus trips were unforgettable as well. I'll always cherish the friendships and memories I made there."
BRAYDEN PAWLUK
FORMER PMHA MALE BUFFALO
"I really enjoyed my time spent in Pilot Mound being apart of the academy and am very thankful for everything that came along with it. I believe that it was a huge part in my development and maturing as a hockey player, and a person off the ice. I met so many good people in the community and had great teammates that I can gladly call lifelong friends. I'd like to thank coaches Rod, Rick and Ernie for their time spent with me working on my on ice skills everyday, as well as putting me in situations in games that allowed me to take risks and learn from them. I would also like to thank the Gelo family for taking me in and treating me like one of their own along with their own kids to give me a home away from home. I had so many good experiences and made lots of great memories that I will cherish forever. An example is going to Penticton for a week for playoffs and getting to travel to lots of new places to play. I'm still very happy with my choice to attend the academy, and would recommend it to anyone who is considering."
BEN HILHORST
FORMER PMHA MALE BUFFALO
“Pilot Mound was really great. I liked the area and how small it was. I liked how everyone knew each other and how welcoming everyone was. I loved my teammates, they were from all over Manitoba and the United States. I really loved it. It was a really good program. It was new when I went there. Watching it grow now is amazing.”
CARRIGAN UMPHERVILLE
FORMER PMHA FEMALE BUFFALO
LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY
“Pilot Mound was very isolated and it set me up in a good way because there was nothing else to do other than play hockey. I was focused on school and hockey and that’s what I needed. Pilot Mound is a really small town but the time I spent there was really good because they did everything they could to make it hockey-orientated all the time. I really appreciate the people at Pilot Mound. They treated me very well and they treated our whole team really well. The coaching staff had a huge impact on me because at that time I was going through a phase where I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue with hockey. The coaches made it fun and to this day, I appreciate the coaches I had at Pilot Mound. I don’t know that I would be where I am today without them. They had a huge impact on my hockey career. They always made me feel really good about myself and gave me lots of confidence. They treated me really, really well."
SAIGE MCKAY
FORMER PMHA FEMALE BUFFALO
LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY
"The academy helped me grow as a person, hockey player, and student. The academy grew me as a person because of the experiences it brought through all our travels, and the people who I've met will now always be apart of my life. The academy grew me as a player because we competed in many showcases and we're on the ice working on our skills daily. The academy grew me as a student because Pilot Mound School cares for the students and works hard beside the students to make sure they achieve in their classes. Overall the academy helped me to be where I am which is playing hockey for SUNY Canton Roos and enrolled in a nursing degree. It was a great experience that I will never forget."
HANNAH DESROCHERS
FORMER PMHA FEMALE BUFFALO
"My experience with Pilot Mound Hockey Academy lasted two full seasons and within those two seasons, I was fully developed to become a well-rounded Junior A player. All thanks to the coaching staff of the Buffaloes, my overall experience in Pilot Mound was great; I met so many new friends, and I also got to experience a lot of new and different environments. As an Indigenous youth, I would recommend it to others that are pushing the hockey dream".
BRYDEN SINCLAIR
FORMER PMHA MALE BUFFALO
"Our son Kian attended Pilot Mound during the 2021-2022 season. Before selecting to send Kian to PM we spoke at length to Gordie, PM’s goalie coach. We were impressed from our initial conversations with Gordie regarding his philosophy to coaching and his instantaneous rapport with our goalie. He explained that he would be providing goalie training sessions once a week as well as meetings with all the PM goalies as a group during team dinners where all things goaltending would be discussed. Additionally, he explained that he would meet one on one with his goalies to discuss their individual progression and any areas he felt needed more attention. Throughout the year Gordie accomplished this and more with Kian communicating regularly with him one on one or part of the larger PM goalie team. Kian expressed to us that Gordie took the time to review full games with Kian by providing extensive breakdown and explanation of what he could do to improve. As this was Kian’s first time away from home Gordie and the coaching staff and support staff provided Kian with the support he needed both on and off the ice. A special note of gratitude to the PM house parent Brittany with support from Ginger who took such good care of Kian. We were also extremely pleased that Gordie communicated with us and responded immediately to any questions that we had throughout the year. As parents we made a huge financial decision and sacrificed our child living away from home so he could chase his dreams. We could not be more pleased at watching Kian develop his confidence and skill as a goalie under Gordie and the coaching staff at PM. We were so proud when as a 15 year old everyone’s hard work was recognized when Kian was nominated by the CSSHL for the goalie of the year award."
DAVE HODGINS
PARENT OF FORMER PMHA MALE BUFFALO, KIAN HODGINS
Our son, Corey, has played for a couple different travel teams. It wasn’t until his experience, the last three years, with the Pilot Mound Hockey Academy that we found the entire package. This academy has provided exceptional coaching and supportive staff which is extremely important when living many miles away from home. The coaching, on-ice, and strength training have been instrumental in our son’s development. There is the perfect balance of fundamental instruction and fun while playing against the highest level of competition. The coaches and staff are committed to excellence. They exude passion to making sure each player is the best they can be. There is a superior academic setting both within the school and during online learning. The teachers set the student athletes up for learning success while in person or on their travels. The learning continues even outside of school activities as the teams visits many historic sites and sceneries during their game bus trips creating memorable adventures! We appreciate the strong community presence where student athletics gain their “life skills” through volunteering opportunities, building long-lasting friendships, understanding the balance of academics and hockey all while being role models. The academy offers a safe environment with their first-class dorm and facilities. Our personal experience with the Pilot Mound Hockey Academy has been a positive one filled with growth both on and off the ice.
KEVIN AND GINA NILSSON
PARENTS OF CURRENT PMHA MALE BUFFALO, COREY NILSSON
Our son spent three years at PMHA. The hockey experiences were unparalleled with travel across Canada and the US. The impact of the program went well beyond hockey and the arena. The coaching staff were supportive of his hockey development. Not only did he learn skills on the ice, but he learned to have confidence in himself and his abilities. The academy staff helped to make sure the transition from home was as smooth as possible. They were there to help guide his growth from a teenager to a young adult. The school staff taught our son how to balance a hectic hockey schedule with school commitments. They encouraged him to put his best effort forward at all times and to explore other sports to compliment his hockey training. Both staff and local students were open and welcoming. The town has become a surrogate family, keeping an eye on all players and cheering them on through all the good times and bad. As parents, we have enjoyed following the PMHA team around the country. It has been a pleasure watching all the boys and girls on the ice and off. They are held to high standard, exhibiting respect and appreciation wherever they go. It has been a memorable three years, filled with learning, growth, and irreplaceable memories.
GLEN AND FAYE PRICE
PARENTS OF FORMER PMHA MALE BUFFALO, ZANE PRICE