The Grade 9 English class is deep into a lesson on Greek mythology when the door opens and the boss pops his head in.
Guy Girouard, who has been giving a tour of the campus, quickly apologizes for the interruption. But before he closes the door, he spots a student and delivers an important message.
“Your skates are sharpened. You can pick them up after class.”
Welcome to the Canadian International Hockey Academy, where “School. Hockey. Life.” is the motto — although not necessarily in that order.
Located 40 kilometres east of downtown Ottawa in the charming town of Rockland, the academy opened its doors four years ago with Gatorade and CCM as sponsors and the full blessing of Hockey Canada.