The Okanagan Hockey Academy continues to fill out its coaching staff.
Former national team player Delaney Collins has been named assistant coach for the OHA Female program.
“It is an honour to be joining the staff at the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton,” said Collins in a press release.
Collins joins OHA after serving as an assistant coach at Mercyhurst University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association from 2011-2016, helping guide the team to two Frozen Four tournament appearances and two CHA League Playoff Championships. The Pilot Mound, MB product has also coached at the international level, as an assistant for the Canadian National Women’s Under-18 team and the Canadian National Women’s Development team.
Collins will work as an assistant to both the Female Prep team and newly-formed Varsity team.
“This is an elite organization with highly accomplished staff members and it is a great opportunity for me to further develop as a coach and professional,” she said. “I look forward to working with the athletes and contributing to their development as both hockey players and people. (Female Prep head coach) Jim Fetter and (Female Varsity head coach) Christina Sharun are both great people and excellent coaches. I look forward to working with them and learning from them on a daily basis.”
Prior to coaching, Collins played for Canada’s National Women’s team from 1999-2011, capturing three gold medals (2000, 2004, 2007) and a pair of silver medals (2005, 2008) at the IIHF World Women’s Championship. She suited up at the University of Alberta from 2004-2006, where she was named All-Canadian twice, while also winning the Canadian Interuniversity Sport National Championship in 2005.
“We are excited to be adding Delaney to our coaching staff,” said Fetter. “She brings NCAA and National team coaching experience along with her extensive playing experience. She will be working with both teams and will be helping with our skill development.”
Delaney has an undergraduate degree from the University of Alberta and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Mercyhurst University.
