HILL ACADEMY
Hockey
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The Hill Academy Hockey Department is dedicated to enabling our student-athletes to reach their highest level of achievement. Whether the goal is to reach the post-secondary, national, international, or professional level, our staff is committed to developing a strong foundation, which will be the springboard for future success.
Hill Hockey incorporates intensive on-ice training and skill development, leading strength and conditioning, professional level coaching, sports psychology and team building sessions, all in an academic environment in which a student-athlete can thrive.
FAST FACTS
#1 North America’s premiere hockey program for student-athletes
25+ Alumni currently playing in the NHL
20+ Alumni currently playing in the OHL
15 First round OHL Draft picks
5 Current alumni rated as NHL top prospects
2 OHL First overall picks
65+ Hill alumni have received Division 1 hockey scholarships
CURRENT ALUMNI PLACEMENT
NHL
Anaheim Ducks
Devin Shore
Arizona Coyotes
Nick Ritchie
Boston Bruins
Daniel Renouf
Buffalo Sabres
Brett Murray
Calgary Flames
Brett Ritchie
Colorado Avalanche
Tyler Weiss
Dallas Stars
Thomas Harley
Detroit Red Wings
Daniel Renouf
Edmonton Oilers
Devin Shore
Tyler Tullio
Florida Panthers
Ryan Lomberg
Los Angeles Kings
Brandt Clarke
Brendan Lemieux
Montreal Canadiens
Johnny Kovacevic
Logan Mailloux
New Jersey Devils
Graeme Clark
New York Rangers
Eric Ciccolini
San Jose Sharks
Artem Guryev
Seattle Kraken
Shane Wright
St Louis Blues
Michael Buchinger
Toronto Maple Leafs
Mitch Marner
Winnipeg Jets
Cole Perfetti
PWHL
Montreal
Erin Ambrose
Laura Stacey
Ottawa
Kristin Della Rovere
NCAA
Atlantic Hockey
Rochester Institute of Technology
Robert Morris University
Big Ten
University of Michigan
Ohio State University
Penn State University
ECAC Hockey
Alaska-Fairbanks
Brown University
Clarkson University
Colgate University
Cornell University
Dartmouth College
Harvard University
Union College
Yale University
Hockey East
Boston College
Boston University
University of Connecticut
Maine University
Merrimack College
OUR PROGRAMS
Boys U18 Prep Hockey (Grades 11-PG)
Our boys U18 prep hockey program offers hockey players the opportunity to play at the best prep tournaments and showcases all while being seen by NCAA, CHL, BCHL and USHL scouts. With daily practices and a consistent game schedule against other high end prep school programs we provide the right circumstances for players to develop their abilities and reach higher levels post graduation.This program includes various skills and skating sessions with a more targeted approach on the development of the most important aspects of the game. This works hand-in-hand with our strength and conditioning programs which are sport specific and develop our athletes to their full physical potential.Placement after graduation is a defining aspect of this program as our strong education platform combined with our outside connections opens numerous doors for our hockey players.
Boys U15 AAA and U16 AAA Hockey
Our boys U15 AAA hockey program offers the continuation from the U14 AAA program. The focus remains on reaching each student-athletes next highest level of achievement. For many of our AAA hockey athletes, this comes from the continued focus on balancing academics with high performance hockey training and gaining exposure to NCAA, CHL and USHL scouts through showcase events and high profile tournaments. With daily practices and a consistent game schedule against other high end prep school programs we provide the right circumstances for players to develop their abilities and graduate to their next level whether that be with our U16 AAA or U18 prep team or the OHL/USHL.
This program includes various skills and skating sessions with a more targeted approach on the development of the most important aspects of the game, while also working with the performance team for off-ice strength and conditioning.
Senior Selects Program (Grades 9-PG) *program is co-ed
This senior development program gives our grade 9-PG student-athletes the chance to incorporate hockey development into their school days and do-away with various on-ice skills/skating sessions after school hours. Alongside these school-day incorporated on-ice sessions, our strength and conditioning team puts together extensive workout plans to develop the physical aspects of our student-athletes at the appropriate rates. This program allows for players to compete on their own individual club teams throughout the season while taking part in our yearlong development plan.
Junior Selects Program (Grades 7-8) *program is co-ed
Program specifically designed for AA, AAA calibre players to enhance hockey development the student-athlete is receiving with their home club. The Junior Selects program incorporates skills and drills sessions that are more inline with AAA development, to better prepare the student-athlete as they continue in the sport of hockey. From mid-September to mid-May this group receives on-ice training three days per week, while receiving complimentary multi-sport on off-ice days. When combined with an individualized strength and conditioning plan from Hill Pride Performance, this all around program keeps high performance athletes ready for their high performance.
Junior Development Hockey Program (Grades 5-6) *program is co-ed
The junior development program gives our grade 5-8 student-athletes the chance to incorporate hockey development into their school days and do-away with various on-ice skills/skating sessions after school hours. Alongside these school-day incorporated on-ice sessions, our strength and conditioning team puts together extensive workout plans to develop the physical aspects of our younger student athletes at the appropriate rates. This program allows for players to compete on their own individual club teams throughout the season while taking part in our yearlong development plan.
COACHING STAFF
Ryan Toomey
The 2025-26 academic year is Ryan's third season as Director of Hockey at The Hill Academy. Since stepping into the role, he has played a pivotal part in expanding the program—most notably by adding the U15 and U16 teams, which were the first of their kind in Ontario. His vision and leadership have helped set a new standard for elite hockey development in the province.
Ryan played his minor hockey in the GTHL before moving on to Junior A with the Wexford Raiders and Cornwall Colts. His strong play earned him a Division I scholarship to Mercyhurst University, where he served as team captain for two seasons and was named to the Atlantic Hockey All-Academic Team.
After college, Ryan played professionally across the U.S., Finland, and Germany, gaining valuable international experience before transitioning into player development.
Today, Ryan works with athletes at every level—from youth prospects to NHL, OHL, and NCAA players—providing both on- and off-ice training. His deep understanding of the game, combined with a commitment to mentorship, allows him to help players reach their full potential both on the ice and in life.
Director of Hockey
Head Coach U16AAA (2010)
Blaine McCauley
Head Coach U18 Prep Hockey
Blaine McCauley will join The Hill Hockey for the 2025-26 academic year as the new head coach for the U18 Prep team (2008/2009).
A former professional hockey player and experienced coach, McCauley brings a wealth of knowledge from coaching assignments with the Georgetown Raiders, Brantford 99ers, and Halton Hurricanes.
His playing career includes stints at Lake Superior State University, as well as in the ECHL (Dayton Bombers) and AHL (Cleveland Barons, Syracuse Crunch). McCauley will be a fantastic addition to our already strong coaching team.
Gianmarco Aiello
Head Coach U15AAA (2011)
Coach Aiello will take his learnings from the 2024-25 academic year as the Head Coach of the U18 Prep Hockey team to the U15AAA (2011) for the 2025-26 year.
Aiello brings over 12 years of coaching experience, spanning the GTHL, AAA OMHA and Junior A across Ontario, in addition to running the A+ Performance Hockey School to The Hill.
Aiello has coached many professional hockey players, who are currently playing in the NHL, AHL, European leagues, NCAA division 1 and OHL. A defensive-minded coach, Aiello believes in building a team from the net out.
Brett Robinson
Assistant Coach Hockey
& Skill Development Coach
Brett has an extensive and impressive hockey background. Brett received a NCAA Division 1 scholarship to Mercyhurst University. He played 4 seasons with the Lakers and graduated with a BA in Sport Business.
After graduating Brett went on to play more then 500 games professionally throughout his 10-year career across the United States and Europe. Brett has a strong desire to teach and develop future players.
The past 5 years Brett has focused on coaching and high-level on-ice skill development for athletes of all ages, including NHL, NCAA, OHL and Jr.A players.
Ryan Chiasson
Assistant Coach
Hockey has been an important aspect of Ryan’s life from a young age. He brings dedication, passion, and a strong work ethic to The Hill Academy.
Ryan Chiasson played over two hundred junior hockey games in the OJHL, NAHL, and USHL before playing NCAA hockey at the University of Plattsburgh. At Plattsburgh he was a member of the SUNYAC All Academic team, going on to be the Valedictorian of his graduating class. He understands what it takes to be a successful student athlete.
After graduating from University of Plattsburgh, Ryan realized he had a passion for working with dedicated student athletes, which led Ryan to receive his teaching and master’s degree from the University of Toronto.
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