Lakehead Public Schools welcomes LPS Edge Lead Instructor Dave Olenik
Jun 26, 2025
(Thunder Bay, ON) – Lakehead Public Schools is proud to welcome Dave Olenik as lead instructor for its brand new LPS Edge: Excellence in Hockey and Academics skills academy. Currently a teacher with Lakehead Public Schools, Olenik brings more than 20 years of elite coaching experience in Thunder Bay, including leadership roles with both the Thunder Bay Kings and Thunder Bay Queens. He is also a former player with the Thunder Bay Flyers and was part of the 1992 Centennial Cup national championship team. Olenik holds a High Performance 1 Coaching Certification and has a long-standing reputation for developing high-level student athletes in Northwestern Ontario.
“I’m incredibly excited to be leading the LPS Edge in its inaugural year. This program is more than just hockey—it’s about helping young athletes grow as students, teammates, and leaders,“ Olenik said.
“Our goal is to provide the kind of high-quality instruction and support that keeps our talent here in Thunder Bay and makes Lakehead Public Schools a destination for excellence.”
Announced earlier this year, LPS Edge is an innovative pilot project that will see 60 co-ed students entering Grade 9 in September build on their hockey skills while still having the ability to receive the top-shelf secondary school education Lakehead Public Schools offers. Students will receive more than 80 hours of on-ice instruction per semester along with off-ice sessions focused on fitness, nutrition, leadership, goal-setting and mental preparation. Students will also be able to take advantage of the full slate of programming, education, sports and activities offered by Lakehead Public Schools.
Families are invited to learn more about LPS Edge and meet with Olenik at Hammarskjold High School’s Grade 9 Welcome Barbeque on Aug. 27 from 5-7 P.M. or Westgate CVI’s on Aug. 28 from 5-7 P.M. For more information on the program, contact Dave Olenik at david_olenik@lakeheadschools.ca
