Biographies

 
 

Devon Toews

Defense

Devon Toews is a 4 year YHA Alumnus and one of our key alumni with respect to overall character, skill, and citizenship.  Devon Toews came to our program back in Gr 9 as a small, but very skilled D-Man.  Going undrafted in the WHL sure did not stop his development as he continued to refine his already gifted skill-set.  He went on to play in the BCHL before receiving a full-ride NCAA Division #1 Scholarship to Quinnipiac.  From there he was selected in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders.  He continued to develop through the AHL garnering heavy interest by the Islanders before being called up to the NHL permamently.  Devon Toews is a true testament of perseverence, and demonstrating that a road to professional hockey can be a marathon as opposed to a sprint!  Congratulations "Doni"!  

Devon currently plays for the Colorodo Avalanche.  

 
 

Gage Goncalves

Forward

Gage played on our Yale U15 Prep team where he was part of our 2016 CSSHL U15 Prep Championship before returning to play for our U16 AAA team the following season.  Gage went undrafted in the WHL Bantam draft but that did not stop his development as Gage literally proved everyone wrong!  He was listed by the WHL Everett Silvertips in 2017 and went on to be a prolific goal scorer with the WHL.  So much so that we was selected in the 2nd round in the 2020 NHL Entry draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning.  An all-around gifted athlete we are proud to call Gage as a Yale Alumnus!

Gage currently plays for the Everett Silvertips.  

 
 

Harrison Blaisdell

Forward

Harrison Blaisdell played for our U15 Prep Team in 2015 / 2016 where he was part of our CSSHL U15 Prep Championship team.  Insane compete level and a drive to exceed expectations propelled him to the BCHL at 16 years old where he earned an NCAA Division #1 Scholarship to the University of North Dakota.  He was selected in the 5th round in the 2019 NHL Entry draft by the Winnipeg Jets.  "Blazer" continues to develop in the NCHC for the UND Fighting Hawks!  

 
 

Alex Cotton

Defense

Alex Cotton played 3 seasons for the Lions (U15 Prep, U18 Prep, U18 Prep) before heading onto the WHL's Lethbridge Hurricanes.  Alex is a brilliant skater with great offensive instincts and a high compete level.  After capturing the WHL's Top Defensemen award, he went on to be selected in the 2020 NHL Entry draft in the 5th round by the Detroit Red Wings.  

Alex currently plays in the WHL for the Lethbridge Hurricanes.  

 
 

Dylan Cozens

Forward

Offensively lethal, exceptionally fast, and a wicked release are some of the top offensive characteristics of Dylan Cozens.  He put up huge numbers for the Lions when he played on our U18 Prep Team which ultimately propelled him to the next level in the WHL for the Lethbridge Hurricanes.  Dylan played two years for IIHF World Junior Team Canada, before heading on to the NHL.  He was selected in the 1st round 7th overall of the NHL 2019 entry draft by the Buffalo Sabres.  The "Workhorse from Whitehorse" is an accurate description of this superstar!  

Dylan currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres. 

 
 

Bowen Byram

Defense

Bowen Byram played on our Yale U18 Prep Team and was a stalward on the back-end.  His inate ability to read plays, activate on offense, and single handedly change the game was attractive for NHL scouts as he was selected 1st round, 4th overall, by the Colorodo Avalanche in the 2019 NHL entry draft.  He played for Team Canada World Junior team capturing Gold in 2020 and Silver in 2021.  With all his tremendous skill also comes tremendous character as he has been selected to be captain for Team Canada in 2021.  

Bowen currently playes for the Colorodo Avalanche

 
 

Dennis Cholowski

Defense

"Chily" has been in our program since Gr 9.  As an undersized d-man in Bantam, Dennis continued to develop his skating and high hockey IQ at Yale while playing minor hockey in Langley.  The following year, he was a stalward on the back-end for the Yale U16AAA team, which captured the CSSHL U16AAA Championship in its innaugural year!  Following this tremendous year of growth & development, Dennis received a full-ride scholarship to St. Cloud State and went on to play in the BCHL as a 16yr old for the Chilliwack Chiefs.  From there, he became Yale's 4th NHL first round draft pick in four consecutive years when he was selected by the Detroit Red Wings.  Dennis is a true scholar of the game as well as a role model as a true student-athlete!  

 
 

Noah Juulsen

Defense

Noah Juulsen is another 5 year YHA alumni who was selected in the 1st round of the NHL.  In 2015, the Montreal Canadiens selected this Yale alumni in the 1st round.  He played in the WHL for the Everett Silvertips where he put up some pretty impressive numbers.  In addition to competiting in the CHL Top Prospects game, he was also a member of the IIHF World Junior Team for Team Canada.   We are proud to call Noah one of our alumni!

Noah currently plays with the Florida Panthers. 

 
 

Shea Theodore

Defense

Shea Theodore is a 5 year YHA alumni since he started with us in Gr 8.   He was selected in the 1st round by the Anahiem Ducks in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft after an incredible year in the WHL playing for the Seattle Thunderbirds.  Theodore joined fellow YHA Alumni Jake Virtanen in their 2014 IIHF Gold medal win for Team Canada.  This defenseman is offensive, dangerous, and can move the puck up the ice with tremendous speed!  He continues to prove himself as a future Norris Trophy candidate!  

Shea currently plays with the Vegas Golden Knights.  

 
 

Jake Virtanen

Forward

 Jake started in our academy in Gr 8 skating with the W.A. Fraser Skills academy.  He was selected 1st overall in the WHL Bantam draft by the Calgary Hitmen.   After his very successful junior career with the Hitmen, he was selected 6th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks! Jake has developed and grown as a student, athlete and person during his tenure at Yale. Jake was a key component in Team Canada's 2014 IIHF Gold medal win! He is presently playing in the WHL for the Calgary Hitmen & remains as an outspoken supporter of the Yale Hockey Academy.