Share 2014-2015 Bantam Coaches!
2014-07-20
Please read the following announcement introducing the Bantam coaches of our GSHL teams for the 2014-2015 SBAAHL Season!GSHL NAMES 2014/15 BANTAM COACHES
The GSHL takes great pride in offering a positive, developmental hockey experience for our players. In doing so, we go to great lengths in securing coaches who represent that philosophy. The past number of months, GSHL volunteers spoke to over 40 candidates in seeking coaches for our 5 Bantam AA teams. Subsequent to this process, we are proud to announce our coaches for the upcoming 2014/15 season.
They are as follows:
Saskatoon Generals –Associate Head Coach Scott Owens
Scott Owens needs no introduction to the GSHL or SMHA. Twice being nominated by the GSHL as Bantam Coach of the year, we are fortunate and appreciative to have Scott back for another season. Scott’s background in coaching is outstanding as he has served as SHA coach conductor and has coached for many years for both the Notre Dame Midget AAA Hounds and in the GSHL. His tenure with the Hounds included a Telus cup victory.
One of the great strengths Scott brings to the GSHL is his understanding of the game and that minor hockey is about fun and development. Scott has been a high school teacher for many years in Saskatoon and is a true asset to our hockey program.
We look forward to having Scott back for 2014/15.
Saskatoon Stallions – Head Coach, Jim Greenbank
Jim has been involved in Minor Hockey at all levels as a player, official and a coach. His hockey background includes 3 years of College Hockey in Quebec for the Champlain College Cougars and one year of Senior Hockey. Jim then played 3 years of senior hockey in Alberta before becoming an official with Alberta Minor Hockey.
Jim’s coaching career began in 1987 in the Edmonton Minor hockey system beginning with Bantam tiered hockey and advancing to the Bantam AAA Brickmen in early 90’s. In 1992 Jim was transferred to Saskatoon where he was involved in coaching for many years in the Saskatoon Flyer zone. Last season Jim served as an assistant coach with the Saskatoon Stallions. Jim has been coaching minor hockey for over 18 years and continues to do so as he loves the challenge of building a team and to teach. Jim clearly understands that the game has changed from his playing days and recognizes the importance of learning different ways of teaching the game, to motivate players and to help to build confidence in player’s abilities.
Welcome to the GSHL Head Coaching ranks Jim!!
Saskatoon Maniacs – Head Coach, Juan Maldonado
Juan was born in Saskatoon, however, comes to us from British Columbia where he grew up in East Vancouver and played most of his minor hockey in that area. As a talented player, Juan went on to play Bantam AAA at the Burnaby Winter Club, Junior A and played NCAA Division III hockey at Marian College in Wisconsin where he completed his education. Most recently, Juan coached with Port Moody in the highly regarded PJHL. He returned to Saskatoon in 2013 where he is employed as a Management Consultant.
Juan’s coaching philosophy is to get the best out of all players, regardless their skill level. Much of what he teaches relates to not just hockey, but real life (i.e.: their future professional lives, whether it is through hockey or a different career path, school, part-time jobs, etc.). Juan relates that hockey has had a great positive impact on who he is today and strives to pass on the same to his players. On the hockey side, Juan has acquired a solid foundation of technical expertise from his time in junior and college and is looking forward to working with all his players.
As a new addition to the GSHL coaching ranks, we welcome Juan and look forward to his contributions to our program.
Saskatoon Maniacs – Associate Head Coach, Mark Peterson
Mark is another young non-parent addition to our coaching ranks. A high school teacher at Evan Hardy, Mark has been involved directly in coaching hockey for the last four years, with the last year being the Head Coach of the Saskatoon Midget AAA Stars.
His playing career began in Wynyard and at fifteen he moved to Moose Jaw to play with the Moose Jaw Midget AAA Warriors for three seasons. Mark was also captain for two of those seasons. During these years Mark attended a variety of WHL, SJHL, and BCHL camps with the hope of playing at the next level. Unfortunately, his skill set didn’t match his knowledge and analytical view of the game.
Upon completion of his midget career, he attended post-secondary right out of high-school. This led to his first coaching opportunity as an assistant coach for the Moose Jaw Midget AAA Warriors at the prestigious Macs’ midget tournament. From this experience, Mark knew that he aspired to coach hockey at the highest level.
Mark very much welcomes the opportunity to coach in the GSHL and looks forward to working with Juan in 2014/15.
We too look forward to your involvement in the GSHL.
Saskatoon Bandits – Head Coach, Trent Coghill
Trent originally comes to us from the Melfort area where he played much of his minor hockey. As a talented minor hockey player, Trent played for Team Western under the Hockey Canada umbrella at the U16 Hockey Challenge. He later became a member of the Tisdale Trojan AAA Midget hockey team. After one season of AAA Midget, Trent made the jump to the Saskatoon Blades where he finished his playing career. After junior hockey, Trent headed to the University of Saskatchewan and Queens University for post-secondary education.
Trent has been an Assistant Coach in Saskatoon through all levels of minor hockey - initiation, novice, pee-wee, and bantam. In addition he also served as an Assistant Coach in the Sask-Can and Huskie spring hockey programs. Trent further worked for three years as Director of Business Operations for the Saskatoon Blades.
Trent’s coaching philosophy coincides very well with that of the GSHL. Trent believes the job of a minor hockey coach is to ensure our players continue to love the game of hockey and continue to develop their skills and knowledge of the game so that they are prepared to successfully compete at their current and the next levels. Trent believes this is accomplished through the coach’s passion and dedication to teaching.
We look forward to Trent’s contributions as a Head Coach in the GSHL.
Saskatoon Outlaws – Head Coach, Justin Brawn
Justin is a native of New Brunswick and a welcome new addition to Saskatoon. As a player, Justin played his entire minor hockey in New Brunswick and advanced to play Junior A hockey in the MJHL. Justin has been a coach at the Junior B level and most recently Midget AAA with the Fredericton Canadiens in the New Brunswick Midget AAA league. He is very focused on development of each player readying them for the next level of hockey. His coaching philosophy very much centers around skill development of the player and teaching the players well rounded team concepts. As part of this direction, Justin coaches to maximize full effort out both of the individual and the team.
Justin coaches a balanced style of hockey and challenges his players to improve each time on the ice. By balanced, he wants all his players to be equally committed to play in all zones. We anticipate the Justin/Casey coaching tandem will provide outstanding development opportunities for our players.
Welcome to Saskatoon and the GSHL Justin!
Saskatoon Outlaws - Associate Head Coach, Casey Bartzen
Casey was born in Saskatoon and played all his minor hockey and AAA midget in the city. In 1995 he began a hockey adventure that spanned across the globe. His playing and coaching background is primarily overseas, however, he did play junior in the BCHL, NCAA Division I college hockey in the US and professionally in the ECHL. Casey played 10 professional seasons, 2 of which he was player coach in Holland and Germany. For the past decade Casey has been mentored by Peter Twist and models many of his coaching strategies after the education he received at UBC and Twist Conditioning INC. Hockey is Casey’s life. He holds a degree from UBC and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the NSCA as well as a Twist Master Instructor. Casey has been a hockey skills coach for over a decade as well as a strength, conditioning and bio-mechanics specialist away from the rink. He has been privileged to work with dozens of NHL players and coaches during his time at TWIST and now at NLT in Saskatoon.
Casey’s coaching philosophy is simple…………………… Players need a “no fear” environment to develop. Short term failure is the key to long term success and improvement. It is the coach’s responsibility to create an environment where players are challenged outside their comfort zone and are not afraid to fail. The GSHL welcomes Casey to the coaching ranks.
We look forward to the young, dynamic coaching tandem of Casey and Justin.