Matt Liggett, Wood Buffalo Sports Academy, Facebook post
FORT McMURRAY — Fort McMurray’s new Sports Academy is beginning to come together with the appointment of a veteran local hockey coach to lead its hockey program.
The Wood Buffalo Athletic Academy has named Matt Liggett as its lead hockey instructor ahead of the academy’s inaugural 2026-27 school year at MacDonald Island Park.
Liggett will oversee the development and delivery of the academy’s hockey curriculum, including practice planning, player development and off-ice programming.
The academy said Liggett most recently spent two seasons with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons, where he specialized in developing defencemen and helped the club’s penalty kill become the top-ranked unit in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
Before arriving in Fort McMurray, Liggett coached with the Vancouver NE Chiefs organization, contributing to a Pacific Region championship and a Telus Cup appearance. He also played junior hockey in Canada before continuing his career at Waldorf University, where he earned a business degree in accounting and finance.
Beyond his work with the Oil Barons, Liggett has been active in the local hockey community through PEAK Hockey Academy, volunteer coaching with the Junior Oil Barons U13 AAA program and organizing skill development sessions for young athletes.
The appointment marks the latest addition to the Wood Buffalo Athletic Academy’s leadership team as the school prepares to welcome its first students this fall.
The academy, operating in partnership with the Fort McMurray Public School Division, is designed for students in Grades 4 through 8, combining Alberta curriculum requirements with daily athletic development.
Up to 180 students will attend the academy during its inaugural year, operating from the Diamond Ballroom Suites at Legacy Dodge Field at SMS Equipment Place. Programming will include hockey and multi-sport streams focused on long-term athletic development, physical literacy, wellness and academic achievement.
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