Follmer is happy to return to home to take the Stars to the next level as hockey program continues to grow
VADNAIS HEIGHTS, Minn., Aug. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gentry Academy, an accredited school for students in grades 5-12, announced today, it has hired Kyle Follmer as the school's new boys' hockey coach. Follmer, who played high school hockey at St. Paul Como Park, before playing junior and college hockey, is excited to hit the ice with a squad poised to take the next step.
In addition to his coaching duties, Follmer will also teach physical education at the school.
"I am very excited to join Gentry and bring my experience as a player and coach to this growing program," said Follmer. "I see a lot of myself in our current team. We have so many guys who love the game and want to play it at the highest level, all while getting a top-notch education."
Follmer played college hockey at Northern Michigan University and then played five seasons of minor league hockey in Indiana, Iowa and Texas. After he retired from playing, Follmer headed to the southwest where he served as an assistant coach of the New Mexico Ice Wolves junior team for two seasons.
"Coach Follmer will be a great fit to both our school community as a teacher and on the ice leading our boys' hockey team," said Jennifer Kurth, Gentry's Director of Education. "He has a passion for teaching and a desire to make this team one of the best in the state."
With 17 returning players to the varsity squad, Follmer is optimistic the Stars can compete for section and state titles immediately.
"There's no denying we have a tough section with the likes of Hill Murray, White Bear Lake and Stillwater, but I am confident our team will be up for the challenge," he said. "We lost a few really good players, but we have younger guys ready to step up."
New Gentry Academy Athletic Director Morgan Underwood said she believes Follmer was the best possible fit for the school based on his experience and familiarity with hockey in the area.
"Kyle will be an amazing addition to Gentry Academy and our boys' hockey team. His passion for not only the game but the development of student athletes is hard to come by," said Underwood. "His experience and connections will prove to be strong assets to his position as our new coach. I am very excited for Coach Follmer to be part of the Stars Family."
Follmer embraces the challenges of coaching high school hockey in a changing landscape.
"A lot of the city programs are gone and many of the first-tier suburban schools are struggling to be competitive," said Follmer. "I believe at Gentry we provide a place for good hockey players to advance their skills on and off the ice. We are a great option for players who want a solid education and the experience of playing high level hockey."
About Gentry Academy
Gentry Academy is an accredited school for students in grades 5-12 located in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota. Students are presented with a dynamic learning environment that integrates the core curriculum and required electives with a flexible W.I. N. (What I Need) time schedule and hallmark leadership and life skills program. Students garner real-world skills through focus on academics, arts, physical education, and internships as part of our W.I.N. time learning model. Students are afforded 90 minutes daily to direct their learning, tailoring their school day to fit their individual goals for skill acquisition and enrichment. For more information http://www.gentryacademy.org
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SOURCE Gentry Academy
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