STAR Hockey Academy this week announced the opening of Seattle’s first education-based hockey Academy in partnership with Kent Valley Hockey Association and Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien.

“This is an exciting time for youth hockey in Seattle,” said Tanner Glass, Vice-President and Director of Hockey for STAR.  “STAR Hockey Academy provides an exceptional opportunity for kids and families to participate in elite-level, education-based hockey.”

STAR’s inaugural 14U team will play in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL), the premier high-school hockey development league based in Western Canada, Idaho, and now entering Washington State.

STAR student-athletes will receive over 500 hours of hockey-specific development over a 10-month period, which is unmatched in the local hockey landscape. 

The founding partners of STAR are a group of highly accomplished individuals, including retired NHLer and current New York Rangers Player Development Coach Tanner Glass, local philanthropist and businessman Jamie Brunner, and Nathan Fischer, who owns an Academy in Vancouver B.C. that developed up-and-coming phenom and projected 2023 NHL first overall draft pick Connor Bedard. 

“This is a unique and exciting partnership for the youth in Seattle and the State of Washington,” Kennedy Catholic President/Principal Matthew Mohs said. “STAR Hockey Academy and Kennedy Catholic are both committed to providing student-athletes the opportunity to pursue all-around excellence. Our partnership ensures kids in the Pacific Northwest have the ability to develop their hockey talents while also receiving a quality education.” 

By joining the CSSHL, 85% of game play and travel will be within a day trip or short flight from Seattle. Joining the CSSHL gives families a chance to participate in a league with an exceptional record of player development, elite hockey, and commitment to education-based programming. 

The CSSHL was founded in 2009, and since then over 1700 alumni have gone on to play in the WHL, BCHL, NCAA and Professional hockey ranks. STAR Hockey Academy invites families and prospective student-athletes to their open house the evening of April 4th. 14U tryouts will take place on April 5th and 6th at Kent Valley Ice Centre. 

For more information, please visit www.starhockeyacademy.com, or email [email protected].

Since 2007, The B-Town Blog is Burien’s multiple award-winning hyperlocal news/events website dedicated to independent journalism.