When it comes to taking over as a head coach at Prairie Hockey Academy, few will be as familiar with Caronport and everything surrounding the athletics and education system that makes up such a big part of the community as their newest hire.
Because, quite simply, Barret Kropf has been there and done that.
Kropf was announced as the Canadian Sport School Hockey League organization’s general manager as well as their Under-15 Prep head coach in a press release Friday afternoon, marking a full-circle return for the newest PHA bench boss.
“I am extremely excited to add Barret Kropf to our team at the Academy,” said PHA president Justin Simpkins. “He is a strong leader who possesses excellent communication skills and aligns with our vision and purpose at PHA. His life’s work will show you that he is very driven to develop young athletes on and off the ice, putting a high emphasis on their character and their identity in life. I believe that adding Barret to our team, not only as a coach, but as our general manager, is a big step forward for all of us at PHA.”
Long before the PHA came into existence, Kropf coached the Cougars’ 18U AA squad to a South Sask Hockey League championship and prior to the 2003 season signed on as the head coach of the Briercrest College Clippers men’s hockey team.
Kropf worked with the Clippers for three seasons and was named the ACAC coach of the year in 2005-06 after guiding Briercrest to a 6-16-2 record that saw them just miss the playoffs.
After a series of hockey stops that included a bronze medal with Czechia at the 2006 Women’s World Junior Championships, Kropf landed at Trinity Western University for the 2012-13 season and embarked on an enviable run of winning.
Kropf guided TWU to the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League championship series five times over the next decade, winning in 2018 and 2019. He leaves TWU with a record of 129-53-0-11 and as a three-time coach of the year.
“Bridget and I are thrilled to be coming back to the Beautiful Province, and eager to serve alongside the staff and athletes at Prairie Hockey Academy,” Kropf said in the press release. “Our family is humbled and blessed to have been able to travel around the world and gain some incredible hockey experiences; bringing those experiences and wisdom back to PHA is an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.
“The last decade in Vancouver was an honor and privilege; helping build young men at Trinity Western University where we guided them in their journey after junior hockey. We will deeply miss the players and staff there, but also know they are well on their way to accomplishing great things.”
Kropf also served as the chaplain for the Saskatchewan Roughriders for seven years and has worked with the Athletes in Action organization for the past 18 years, bringing a level of compassion to the PHA that’s as valuable as his hockey knowledge.
“Even more important to me [than coaching records] are the relationships he has built and the success he has had by doing everything with excellence,” Simpkins said. “Whether you speak to one of his old hockey players or an old Roughrider, they will tell you of the man that Barret is and the relationships that he built with them.”
Barret and wife Bridget currently live in Langley, B.C. and will be relocating back to Caronport over the summer.
“The leadership and staff in Caronport have built something special on the prairies; a ‘field of dreams’ situation that provides all the tools a player needs to move to the next level,” Kropf said. “Our family is passionate about developing leaders on and off the ice, and we can’t wait to get our boots on the ground to serve alongside the staff and athletes, pushing towards the edge of excellence in every area!”
