Biographies

 
 

Dennis Cholowski

Defensemen

"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 Elite 15 team, which captured the CSSHL Elite 15 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!

 
 

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!

 
 

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.