The North Shore Hockey Academy Program Partners with The Academy at Penguin Hall to create Emperor Hockey Academy at Penguin Hall
WENHAM, MA, SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 – The North Shore Hockey Academy (NSHA) is thrilled to announce an exciting partnership with The Academy at Penguin Hall (APH), an independent, all-girls college preparatory high school. Together, they have forged a groundbreaking initiative: Emperor Hockey Academy at Penguin Hall (EHA), a full-season, national-bound girls’ hockey program. EHA will take the ice starting at the U16 and U19 level in the Fall of 2026, with recruitment at the U14 level dependent on interest.
The Emperor Hockey Academy will recruit the nation’s top female hockey talent who will compete in a full schedule of 50+ games through an independent schedule and showcases, all at the Tier 1 level. Games, tournaments and showcases will be supported by weekly practices, skills and off-ice training (Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning).
This elite Academy will provide the ultimate experience for the most aspirational female student-athletes to prepare to play at the highest collegiate levels while engaging in an empowering college preparatory program. As members of the Penguin Hall community, they will receive an unparalleled education while at the same time enjoy the advantage of training at the world-class Essex Sports Center. While such a model has long been established in elite competitive hockey for boys, it has not been a widely available practice in the realm of girls’ hockey.
Molly Martins, President of The Academy at Penguin Hall commented, “Our primary focus when NSHA approached us with the idea of establishing a hockey academy, was to ensure these young athletes also receive the same exceptional education as all other Penguin Hall students as members of our vibrant community. These student-athletes are able to train at a world-class sports facility and compete at the highest levels while being challenged in the classroom with our rigorous and engaging curriculum. This innovative approach exemplifies our commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals intellectually, socially, physically, and creatively.”
Chris Nagy, Owner of NSHA and CN Ice Management, which holds the long-term lease at Essex Sports Center, added, “Girl’s hockey is rapidly evolving, growing at a rapid pace, and becoming just as competitive and widely embraced as boy’s hockey. After the success of the boys’ academy, I was determined to offer a similar program for girls, complemented by a progressive prep school environment. By partnering with The Academy at Penguin Hall, we can now provide student-athletes with the best of both worlds, seamlessly merging sports and academics.”
Additionally, EHA is excited to announce that Abby Stafford has been named as the Program Director and U16 Head Coach. A graduate of Salem State University with a degree in Sports Movement & Science, Stafford played for the Vikings throughout her four-year tenure, serving as team captain during her junior and senior seasons. In addition to her playing career accolades, the past three years she has served as a lead skills instructor for CN Hockey and Head Coach for the North Suburban Wings youth program. “Abby is exactly what we were looking for in an Academy Director and have no doubt she will flourish in this position,” said Nagy. “She has established herself on the ice and behind the bench in her time within my programs. EHA will allow her the opportunity to mentor and educate young female athletes as they pursue their short term and long-term goals on and off the ice.”
For more information on the Emperor Hockey Academy, please visit www.EmperorHockey.com or contact us at astafford@emperorhockey.com
About North Shore Hockey Academy: Founded in 2021, NSHA combines NCAA accredited academics, and top-notch facilities, with pursued development to create a highly competitive path towards success in the future. The teams train at the Essex Sports Center in Middleton, MA, a state-of-the-art private recreational facility featuring Twin Ice sheets, Synthetic Ice surface, a 30,000SF Indoor Synthetic Turf Field House, a best-in-class Strength Training center operated by Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning, Sports Rehab Unlimited and restaurant venues.
About The Academy at Penguin Hall: Nestled on a historic estate, surrounded by fifty sprawling acres of beautiful, natural landscape in Wenham, Massachusetts, The Academy at Penguin Hall is the only independent all-girls college preparatory school North of Boston. Its mission is to educate, enlighten and empower young women to live and to lead exemplary lives. The engaging and rigorous curriculum encourages critical thinking, problem solving, experiential service-learning, effective communication and collaboration in an environment that supports and assists each student to reach their highest potential. State-of-the-art science labs and “Boardroom” prepare students for real-world workplaces. Creativity flourishes through a variety of courses offered in the humanities, arts, music, and theater. Competitive sports and extracurricular activities build leadership skills and bolster confidence beyond the classroom – where students are seen and heard. A personalized college counseling curriculum supports the exploration of right-fit colleges and universities across the globe. Extensive bus transportation routes are provided and five-day and seven-day boarding programs are available. www.PenguinHall.org