Our Team
Our coaches are the foundation of Wheatland Hockey. Each brings a strong background in player development, with experience across a range of levels and roles within the game. Just as importantly, they share a commitment to teaching, mentoring, and supporting the whole athlete.
Grounded in education, athlete-centred coaching, and long-term development, our coaches deliver more than instruction. They create positive, supportive environments where athletes are encouraged to learn, work hard, take risks, and enjoy the process—on and off the ice.
Head Coach and Player Development
Coach Rich
Coach Rich brings a unique blend of expertise to Hockey Development, with a deep-rooted background in Education and Teaching. As a former High School Science Teacher, University Professor, and current Vice Principal, he integrates his pedagogical skills into on-ice instruction, offering a methodical and relatable approach to coaching.
Rich has a profound love for the game and is passionate about developing players both on and off the ice. With experience coaching at the highest levels of U11 and U13 Hockey, he specializes in delivering Hockey IQ in ways that resonate with youth players, fostering growth, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the game.
Athletic Development, Mobility & Injury Prevention
Coach Avi
Coach Avi brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our hockey academy, with a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science and a specialization in Athletic Therapy from the University of Manitoba. His deep understanding of biomechanics, athletic development and high-performance sports has earned him certification as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
With years of experience working with elite hockey teams such as the University of Manitoba Bisons, Port Alberni Bulldogs, Quad City Mallards, and Knoxville Ice Bears, Avi understands the demands of the game at every level.
His approach focuses on building strength, resilience, and confidence ensuring that every player is not only prepared for the game but also for life.
Teamwork, Positioning & Player Wellbeing
Coach Ryan
Growing up in Winnipeg, Ryan’s passion for hockey began early. While never the fastest or most skilled player, his consistency and reliability became the foundation of his success.
With 5 seasons of coaching experience in the APHA system, Ryan currently coaches his son’s U11 team. He is dedicated to helping young players develop a deeper understanding of the game, emphasizing positional responsibility as a cornerstone for future success.
Ryan’s goal is to inspire confidence and growth both on and off the ice.
Early Years and Fundamentals
Coach Rowan
Coach Rowan began skating at the age of four and quickly developed a passion for hockey, starting organized play at five years old. Over the course of his playing career, he competed at every level—from Squirt A through AA and AAA—before finishing his career at the high school level, where he proudly served as an assistant captain in his final season.
Hockey has given Rowan countless lessons, friendships, and memories, and he is excited to now give back to the game. His goal is to share the knowledge and experiences he’s gained over the years, helping the next generation of players develop their skills, confidence, and love for the sport.
Outside of the rink, Rowan is currently training to become a pilot. His dedication to learning, discipline, and precision in aviation mirrors the same qualities he brings to coaching—helping athletes understand the importance of preparation, focus, and perseverance both on and off the ice.
Grit and Dedicated Play
Coach Darcy
Coach Darcy is a dedicated assistant hockey coach with four years of experience coaching U7 and U9. A hardworking grain farmer by trade, Darcy brings a strong work ethic and team-first attitude to the rink. Since his son Mason began playing hockey, Darcy’s passion for the sport has grown tremendously — both as a parent and a coach.
Outside of hockey, Darcy is an avid golfer and former motocross racer, having competed for 14 years and reaching the local pro level. His diverse background in competitive sports helps him connect with young athletes and foster a fun, focused, and hardworking team environment.
Performance and Female Programming
Coach Brandon
Coach Brandon grew up playing in the local minor hockey system before progressing through high school and junior hockey. His passion for the game naturally led him into coaching, where he began at the high school level before moving on to coach in Major Junior Women’s Hockey.
With over 10 years of player development and coaching experience, Brandon brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to Wheatland Hockey. He continues to share his love of the game by coaching his two young boys at the U7 and U9 levels, helping to develop the next generation of players both on and off the ice.
Defensive Skills and Power Skating
Coach Dustin
As an undersized defenceman, Coach Dustin learned early that skating would be his greatest asset. By prioritizing mobility and edgework, he worked his way up to Junior A and earned scholarship offers by the end of his junior career. Although injuries eventually forced him to step away from competitive play, they opened the door to a new path: coaching.
From power skating development with Robby Glantz to supporting local teams at home, he’s discovered a deep passion for helping young players chase their potential. The energy and excitement that kids bring to the rink is contagious, and he’s grateful to play a small part in their growth.
Coach Dustin believes that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. He’s committed to guiding the next generation of Wheatland athletes to learn, compete, develop, and have the best hockey experience possible.
Head of Goalie Skill Development
Coach Liam
Coach Liam as been passionate about hockey since he first stepped on the ice at 5. At 10, he discovered a love for goaltending and has never looked back. His playing career includes four years of high school hockey and three years in the MMJHL, where he won two championships with the Junior Canucks. These experiences, on both successful and struggling teams, have helped shape his understanding of the mental and technical challenges goalies face - valuable lessons he now shares with the goalies he coaches.
As a coach at the Icelab Goalie Training Centre, Coach Liam has worked with goalies of all ages and skill levels, helping them develop the tools they need to thrive in the net. He also brings experience working alongside current NHL goalies which gives him unique insight into what it takes to reach the next level.
His goal is to help young goaltenders build their skills, confidence, and game awareness, setting them up for success on and off the ice.
Goalie Development and Player Confidence
Coach Tanner
Coach Tanner grew up playing minor hockey in Winnipeg, where his love for the game started early and naturally carried into coaching. He’s been behind the bench since the age of 18, gaining experience across a variety of programs and teams while continuing to grow as a coach.
Over the past seven years, Coach Tanner has coached his son’s teams in both head and assistant roles and has recently expanded into goalie development—focusing on strong fundamentals while refining existing skills. He thrives in one-on-one settings, helping players build confidence alongside skill.
Known for his passion, loud voice, and the occasional holiday-themed outfit on the ice, Coach Tanner brings energy, knowledge, and a genuine love for the game to the Wheatland coaching team.
Female Programming and Fundamentals
Coach Lauren
Lauren brings a strong foundation of playing, coaching, and instructional experience to the ice. She began playing hockey at the age of seven and spent 15 years in the game, competing primarily at the AA female level.
Lauren has coached a female U9 A1 team, officiated 3-on-3 hockey, and spent 10 years as an on-ice instructor with the Bruno Zarrillo Hockey Academy. With a background in education, she integrates effective pedagogy into her on-ice instruction, creating an inclusive environment where players feel confident taking risks, developing skills, and growing their love for the game.
Fundamentals and Defence
Coach Bryan
Coach Bryan’s devotion to hockey began the way it does for many prairie kids—long afternoons on outdoor rinks in Winnipeg, playing until the lights came on and the cold finally won. That love for the game never faded, and today he’s still at the rink playing, coaching, and watching his own kids build the same connection to hockey.
Coach Bryan began coaching at just 14 years old and has spent decades behind the bench across hockey, soccer, and volleyball. His diverse coaching background has shaped a development-first approach grounded in effort, passion, and purpose. He believes that while skill matters, it’s work ethic and love for the game that allow athletes to truly thrive.
Goalie Coaching and Spring Teams
Coach Liam W.
Coach Liam began playing hockey at age 7, but filled in for his team’s injured goalie at age 9 and fell in love with the position. Through his playing career, he started at the A3 level and played all the way up to high school and AA. Fortunate enough to win 2 city championships, Liam knows what it takes to win as a goaltender.
Liam understands the importance of quality goaltending instruction, as his coaches made a world of difference for him. Excited to give back to young goalies in his community, he brings a focus on skating fundamentals and confidence.
Off the ice, Liam is studying engineering at the University of Manitoba. He brings the same skills he was taught through hockey to the classroom: work ethic, discipline, and an obsession with getting better every day.
Operations, Community Engagement & Partnerships
Eleni W.
Eleni brings a strong mix of lived rink experience and community-focused leadership to the Wheatland team. A former ringette and hockey player—and now a proud hockey mom—she knows firsthand what families and athletes need both on and off the ice.
With a background in education, accessibility, and community engagement, Eleni plays a key role behind the scenes, supporting day-to-day operations while helping build meaningful partnerships that strengthen the Wheatland community.
Eleni’s passion for inclusion, connection, and thoughtful growth aligns deeply with Wheatland’s values, and we’re thrilled to have her as part of the team.
Registration, Recruitment and Operations
Rachel W.
Rachel is the driving force behind the scenes at Wheatland Hockey Club, ensuring everything runs smoothly off the ice.
With a background in finance and investment management, she brings a strategic, detail-oriented approach to the operations of the program.
A self-proclaimed sports fanatic, Rachel is passionate about supporting youth sports and believes in the power of community collaboration to achieve great things.
A newly minted “goalie mom” and former competitive athlete herself, she understands the commitment and dedication required to succeed and loves being part of the journey. Her enthusiasm and organizational skills keep our programs moving forward, helping players and families focus on what matters most: development and growth.