Bridgedale has been a huge positive for him

By: Tracy Williams, Bridgedale Mom

Gunnar skipped 5th grade and entered 6th at Bridgedale.

One of the Keys to Moving Up the Hockey Pyramid

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

A number of years ago I attended a spring AAA Minor Bantam game featuring many excellent players. 

It was, I knew, one of the very first “checking-allowed” games for both teams. 

As a longtime AAA bantam coach, I was expecting to see players who were more than anxious to “hit” - but without a clue about how to properly “check.”

But instead I was very pleasantly surprised.

Because this game featured two teams with very good checking skills.

Bridgedale has been a huge positive for him

By: Jamie Brennan, Bridgedale Dad

Finn was in a poor learning environment.

What does this have to do with young athletes?

By: Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

"An orange is not an apple."

Hmm. Seems pretty obvious.

After all, an orange is an orange, and an apple is an apple.

So “what does this have to do with the development of young student-athletes?” you might ask.

It turns out plenty.

Plenty, that is, when the student-athlete keeps trying to convince himself that some things are other than what they actually are.

A thing is what it is.

One of the most common challenges I deal with as Headmaster at Bridgedale Academy, is getting young student-athletes to deal head-on with the realities they face each day.

The capacity for youngsters to evade and contrive, and at times even to deceive themselves, never ceases to amaze me.

Bridgedale has made a huge difference

By: Ryan Ostrowski, Bridgedale Dad

Anthony needed a change.

Developing the Entire Student-Athlete

By Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Enhance your son's athletic and academic performance

How valuable is a school for athletes that understands and deals straight up with the fact that boys need physical activity, on a daily basis, and that getting that physical activity improves their academics?

What if that same school offers its student-athletes a classical education?

What if that school actually encourages the boys to be competitive? Won't that yield benefits that go above and beyond just sports and academics?

Boys learn better, boys excel, in such an environment. And the benefits can last a lifetime.

So let’s get to it. What follows are my 7 top reasons for boys to attend a school for athletes like Bridgedale Academy.

Grabko, Glynn & Thiesing Getting Recognized

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy  

Bridgedale Academy is proud to congratulate 3 of its graduates who were recently drafted in Phase 2 of the USHL Draft. Two of the three, Nicky Grabko and Jimmy Glynn, are 2000 birth year student-athletes and the third, Therien Thiesing, is from Bridgedale's 2003 birth year group.

“The 2000's and the 03's were both outstanding groups,” said Bridgedale Headmaster Mike McPartlin, "and Nicky, Jimmy and Therien embody those same qualities of being unusually focused and mature at a young age. They are now reaping the benefits from their hard work and dedication. They are not only outstanding athletes, but also fine young men of good character. We are very proud of them and what they already have and will continue to accomplish.” 

Nicky Grabko

Nicky, a goaltender, was selected in the 4th Round by the Green Bay Gamblers, the 47th pick overall. Nicky now competes for the Minot Minotauros of the NAHL. He is not yet college committed.

“Thank you so much for all you did for Nicky. It can be tough for a goalie, but Bridgedale not only gave him the opportunity to train on a regular basis with a goalie instructor, but also he was able to compete on day-to-day with so many other outstanding players.”

Rob Grabko, Nicky's Dad

Burnside, Haskins & Silich will suit up for USA

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy  

Bridgedale Academy is proud to congratulate three (3) of its graduates who were selected to represent the USA at the prestigious 2019 Five Nations Tournament.

Davis Burnside, Tyler Haskins and Jack Silich were recently named to the USA Hockey roster for the tournament, which will be held from August 13-17 in Fuessen, Germany.

“It's a tremendous tournament and obviously a tremendous honor for Davis, Tyler and Jack,” said Bridgedale Headmaster Mike McPartlin. "It's always exciting for us when our graduates are rewarded for their dedication, focus and hard work.”

Davis Burnside

Davis, a forward, recently signed as a tender with the USHL's Tri-City Storm, effectively becoming their 1st Round pick. Davis is verbally committed to the Ohio State University.

"Investing in Bridgedale helped Davis immensely. He loved the experience and misses it every day, the whole thing, the academics, the peer group mindset. No doubt - Bridgedale had a huge impact getting him to where he is today.”

Brad Burnside, Davis's Dad 

Burnside, Haskins, Rivelli, Silich & Williams Make their Mark

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy 

Bridgedale Academy is extremely proud to congratulate 5 of its graduates who were recently drafted in Phase 1 of the USHL Draft. The five, Davis Burnside, Tyler Haskins, Dominick Rivelli, Jack Silich and Gunnar Williams, are all 2003 birth year student-athletes. 

“This was an outstanding group,” said Bridgedale Headmaster Mike McPartlin. “They were sponges in the sense that they were open to input, and willing to make changes to improve. We saw it in their dedication, focus and maturity - as athletes for sure, but also academically and as young men of character. We are very proud of them and their successes.” 

Davis Burnside

Davis signed as a tender with the Tri-City Storm, effectively becoming their 1st Round pick. Davis is verbally committed to the Ohio State University.

"Investing in Bridgedale helped Davis immensely. He loved the experience and misses it every day, the whole thing, the academics, the peer group mindset. No doubt - Bridgedale had a huge impact getting him to where he is today.”

Brad Burnside, Davis's Dad 

Many Reasons to Stay Positive

by Mike McPartlin, Headmaster, Bridgedale Academy

Advice from Coaches who Get it

A while back we interviewed head coaches from each of the four Illinois Tier 1 AAA organizations. The main question we asked was: what is the best advice they can offer to parents during AAA tryout season.

They said there were the 7 primary things to keep in mind.