STAR Hockey Academy, Seattle’s first ever hockey academy opened in Issaquah Washington just three years ago. STAR teams are currently playing in their second season and have already begun climbing up the ranks in the CSSHL division.
Jamie Brunner, the owner of STAR, grew up in Saskatchewan and Alberta Canada, where hockey was a vital aspect of the community’s culture. “Hockey was our church,” shared Brunner when reflecting on his early life. In Canada, hockey is everywhere, rinks on every corner, and the hockey academy was where everyone wanted to be.
When Brunner and his wife moved to Seattle from Edmonton, the lack of hockey culture here was a shock to both of them. In his new home, he saw the market for hockey players, but with a lack of resources. When asked about why he started STAR, the founder shared that it was “To build a pipeline for Elite hockey in Seattle. It’s never existed, and we saw an opportunity to tap into the elite Canadian hockey pipeline by applying to a premium league that runs through Vancouver, BC”.
Being very familiar with the hockey world, Brunner recognizes how important playing in elite Canadian leagues is to have players move up the ranks. Traditionally here in Seattle, the top players on each team end up needing to move away from home at 14 years old to be able to train and play in a higher league. Now, because of STAR, these players don’t need to move away from home anymore. STAR has become the place to be, with people moving closer to the academy to play in an advanced league while staying in the greater Seattle area.
STAR plays in the CSSHL and was the 31st team to be accepted into the competitive league. Not only is the CSSHL competitive, it’s the premium development league in all of Canada. Each year, approximately 30 CSSHL alumni are drafted into the NHL. Brunner describes the CSSHL as “a breeding ground for elite hockey players. No league in the USA compares”.
STAR has also brought international and out of state players into this league from places like Ukraine, Kazakstan, Austria, Canada and six US states. Attention to the CSSHL grows every year and so does the desire to play in it. The CSSHL is also making plans to expand more in the US as it currently is a heavily based Canadian league, which makes STAR a model team for US expansion.
The U15 Prep team alone has two international players from Ukraine and Kazakstan and players from five different states such as Montana, North Dakota, Illinois, Oregon and Texas.
Along with playing in the CSSHL, STAR goes through Kennedy Catholic High School. This not only allows STAR players to play in the most competitive hockey league available, but also a chance to retain an education that will give them opportunities beyond just high school and wherever their hockey takes them. This makes the program unique in the fact that players are “Coached by NHL level coaches while getting a top tier private education” according to Brunner. The founder recognizes the importance of balance, prioritizing education along with a strong hockey foundation to be able to build the best athletes and people possible.
STAR plays through the Kent Valley Ice Centre which is right next to the Thunderbirds ShoWare Center, giving STAR athletes the chance to watch the Thunderbirds play WHL games and the rare opportunity to have role models right down the street.
STAR has given many up-and-coming hockey players in the Seattle community a shot at success and many local families have taken in Billets so athletes from different states can play at such an incredible academy. Brunner hosts seven Billets from Edmonton, Vancouver, and Tri-cities. “It’s been really fulfilling and fun. We all have dinner together every night and the banter is hilarious, ” replied Brunner when asked about how the experience of housing seven new teenagers is going.
Some of these Billets have been with the Brunner family for the past 3 years, living and breathing hockey. Many of these players are at the top of their leagues and will be given the opportunity to play in the WHL or NCAA. Brunner understands the stress this can have on them and strives to provide a fun and stress-free home life. “Overall, we consider the boys part of our family and will miss them once they are gone. All the work has been worth it 100%,” shared Brunner.
Zak Stabbler, a Billet at Brunners house, moved away from home just last year to play at STAR and has already been invited to T-Birds camp and meet with their coaches. When asked about his experience moving away from home for the first time he said, “it’s been really fun and I love all my billet brothers, they are just like my family. It’s always fun hanging around the family I’m with. I sometimes miss my parents but being around all my friends here helps a lot”.
Along with the community that is being built through STAR, the coaching is at a whole new level. “We hire professional coaches with exceptional pedigrees. Currently, we have three NHL level coaches involved at STAR,” shared Brunner.
These coaches are Tanner Glass, who played on six NHL teams and is now the current New York Rangers Director of Player Development; he also oversees the coaching staff at STAR. Turner Stevenson, who is a Stanley Cup champion with the New Jersey Devils in 2003; he coaches the U17 prep team which is the oldest team at STAR. And Rob Sumner, the Calgary Flames Director of Scouting; Sumner oversees all the player development across all age groups.
STAR takes pride in the level of coaching and player development they offer, “The quality of our staff is paramount to our success. We over-invest in talent and the payback is exceptional hockey experience for our athletes. We offer 10-hours of development ice each week, that’s more than double what most programs receive,” shared Brunner.
Stabbler, being new to the team this year, was shocked at the difference in the ice time he gets each week, ” I’m on ice way more than back in Sherwood Park. There we were on the ice three to four times a week for practice, sometimes ending at 11 at night and we only usually had one or two games on the weekend. This year we have time on the ice every day, and we have multiple games mostly every weekend,” explained the athlete.
STAR hockey academy will continue to make a name for itself as the years go on. Many of the U15 prep players will be moving up to the U17 prep team next year and will the chance to play in front of WHL and NCAA hockey scouts at various showcases.
If Brunner hopes to leave something with each athlete that attends STAR, it’s to leave them with the culture they have worked so hard to build at this academy. “Hard work, discipline, grit, humbleness and power of the team lessons into their daily lives. I hope each student athlete stays in touch with the academy and shares their successes in life with us both on and off the ice,” remarked the founder, “We believe we are building great players but also great future husbands, fathers, friends and members of our communities”.
