The Hockey Canada Skills Academy at F.J. Brennan High School and Corpus Christi Middle School in Windsor, Ont., went south of the border in December, travelling to Chicago to take in an NHL game between the Blackhawks and Florida Panthers.

The trip included an overnight stop in South Bend, Ind., where the students were greeted by Nick Siergiej, coordinator of hockey operations with the University of Notre Dame.  The students toured the Fighting Irish facility, gaining access to the dressing room, team lounge, video room and training facility – a truly inspirational experience.

The next morning, the group headed down the highway to the Windy City, where they watched the Blackhawks take part in their morning skate.  After practice, Chicago head coach and Team Canada alumnus Joel Quenneville, a Brennan graduate, took the students into the dressing room, where he spoke about game preparation and life as an NHL head coach.

The United Center was rocking that evening as the students watched the Hawks earn an overtime victory.  The extraordinary experience was an immensely positive one, and the group represented F.J. Brennan/Corpus Christi and the Hockey Canada Skills Academy with pride.