Introducing our Head Coaches for 2022-2023, News (North Central Predators AAA)

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Feb 13, 2022 | KCipolla | 2852 views
Introducing our Head Coaches for 2022-2023
NCP Vice President Rich Foshay, chair of our Association's Coach Selection Committee is excited to introduce our head coaches for the 2022-2023 season.

 Foshay remarked,  "we had tremendous interest from several outstanding candidates in each age group and we thank those people who showed an interest in our Association. We have chosen not only talented and experienced hockey coaches, but most importantly, we have selected outstanding people to lead our athletes." NCP President Roger Crandell notes, "we have a great combination of returning coaches for continuity and new people with fresh ideas and approaches that will serve the Association and our athletes well. Our coaching fraternity supports one another tremendously well. They pull for one another's team....we have a very supportive coaching culture at NCP. This mix of veterans and newly appointed coaches to our program will lead to great learning, skills development and fun for our kids. We're thrilled to have assembled these coaches." 
The following people will lead our teams in 2022-2023:

Tom Pethick U-16 (Minor Midget) - Our NCP organization is exceptionally pleased to welcome Tom back to NCP as head coach of our "Flagship" U-16 club. Tom is a veteran Toronto City Police Officer working in the GTA for over two decades. He brings a strong presence to our oldest athletes and a sense of calm in the midst of high level competition. After spending this season as HC of our U-15 team, Tom is very optimistic that the continuity and style he has instilled in his players this year will lead to continued success next year.Tom played several levels of hockey in the Ottawa area with the Gloucester Rangers. Tom continues to play today with the Toronto Police Blue Team, partnering with ex-NHLersand travelling all over Ontario to raise awareness and money for various causes. Tom also spends a tremendous amount of time working with "Junior Blues Cops for Kids" in the Jane and Finch corridor as a means to support underprivileged kids there. Tom is a man of high character and a great role model for young men.Tom has literally coached "everything" from Tyke,  Novice AAA to Major Midget AAA and everything in between. He also has been associated with a number of junior clubs in player development, coach and general management duties - this experience will serve our athletes well in their draft eligible year. Tom's love for the game is unparalleled as  evidenced by his commitment to working with kids in the game over these past 20 years. Our Association's U-16 club is in great hands for the upcoming 2022-2023 season....welcome back Tom!

Fiona McLeod U-15 (Major Bantam) - Our Association is extremely excited to introduce Fiona as head coach for our U-15 club. Fiona lives in Penetang and joins us as HC after spending this season as an assistant coach with our U-14 team. She had a great opportunity to experience the competition in the ETA league as part of Todd Larmon's staff. Fiona's comment when hearing the news that she will become head coach next year - "I am extremely grateful and excited for the opportunity to get to work with this awesome group of boys!"Fiona has literally spent her life in the game. Her playing career began in the North York and Scarborough minor hockey associations. She then took her incredible talent to the NCAA where she played on full scholarship for the University of Wisconsin Superior and then 3 years at St. Cloud State where she was named a second team "All American" for two seasons in Division 1 Women's hockey. A remarkable accomplishment. Fiona then began a lengthy professional career in Minnesota in the NWHL and then 8 years in the highly competitive Swiss League where she was a member of 4 championship teams with Lugano.Fiona owns and operates the "North of 6ix Hockey" school and personal instruction hockey company. She has also coached extensively in recent years in the Penetang Minor Hockey Association with their boy's rep teams. Fiona has also instructed in several hockey schools. Our NCP organization can't wait to see Fiona's extensive hockey background shared with our athletes along with her uncanny ability to instill confidence in her athletes. Welcome to NCP Fiona!

Mark McGrath U-14 (Minor Bantam) – We're pleased Mark will guide this age group into a second season. His enthusiasm, great communication and teaching skills has this group on the rise. Along with improved standing in the ETA, a season highlight was winning 5 consecutive tourney games reaching the finals of the “Big Nickel” tournament in Sudbury. His kids play with passion and in Mark's view, "just a phenomenal group of boys off the ice."Mark is a high school guidance counsellor from Bracebridge. His playing resume includes having ‘starred’ in the MetJHL with the Muskoka Bears before moving on to play for the NCAA “Division 1” powerhouse St. Lawrence University. Mark then turned his talent into a pro career in Europe before it ended prematurely with a leg injury. Mark’s coaching career is extensive having coached at several levels over the past decade and has also been South Muskoka’s skills development director. Under his leadership, his teams are consistently motivated to ‘play the right’ way, skilled and play with the same enthusiasm and passion Mark exhibits for the game. Along with Mark’s leadership in hockey, he has also emphasized with his athletes the importance of giving back to their community and being a person of high character. After a full season coaching in the tough ETA, we’re excited to see Mark place his full stamp on this program in year two. Welcome back Mark!

 Chris Sharland U-13 (Major Peewee) – We are extremely excited to announce that Chris will enter his fourth season with the Preds!  This group has shown excellent progression in both tournament and league play with a highlight being making the finals of “The Big Nickel” in Sudbury this past fall. Under his guidance, this cohort is on the move. Chris is married with two children and is a police officer living in Orillia who enjoyed an extremely successful playeing career in both university and junior hockey as a goalie - giving him a unique vantage point on the game. His University of Windsor team captured its school's first OUA title in Usport with Chris in nets….that team was recently inducted into their school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Chris is an excellent communicator and motivator with his players emphasizing team play, skill development and fun for this group. This season Chris coordinated an “NHL style Outdoor Classic Game” hosting the Brampton 45’s in Port McNichol as one of the many innovative ways he keeps the kids having fun. Chris’ clubs consistently give back in the community taking on charitable causes each Christmas season. Chris understands that hockey is a means to develop the whole person...not just hockey players. Chris knows that our zone has a lot of AAA talent in it and will work hard to recruit those players to join NCP this coming season in order to move this group to the next level. Chris is super excited to see this program continue to grow and make its way up the ETA standings....our Association is looking forward to the upcoming season under Chris’ leadership and seeing this team continue to rise in the league. Welcome back to NCP Chris!

Josh Faulkner U-12 (Minor Peewee) - our Association is pleased to introduce Josh Faulkner. Josh hails from Bracebridge and begins his tenure in our organization as head coach after spending a season as an assistant with our U-11 club and multiple seasons as head coach in the South Muskoka Minor Hockey Association with their U-9 and U-10 rep teams. It was clear to our selection committee that Josh's approach to the game lines up with our organization's philosophy - strong work ethic, play a team game and be an outstanding young person/teammate.Josh's coaching path began after a stellar playing career. Josh played his minor hockey in Bracebridge graduating to the Muskoka Bears in the old MTHL Jr. A loop and then two years with the Stratford Cullitons in the now GOJHL serving as an Assistant Captain there. Josh was drafted to the Peterborough Petes from the OHL but opted to continue his career in the NCAA with Providence College Friars and the Rochester Tigers valuing the education route in hockey. Josh is the successful owner of The Frosty Pint Pub in Gravenhurst with his wife Ciara. Josh is extremely excited to build on the good work of current bench boss Tobias Whelan as he looks forward to next season with this group. Our association is looking forward to seeing Josh at work! Welcome to NCP Josh! 

Tobias Whelan  U-11 (Major Atom) – We are very excited to announce that Tobias will enter his second season coaching our U-11 club. With a year of experience working in this age group and seeing first hand what the always tough ETA league is all about, we are very excited to see Tobias continue to work with one of our younger age groups. His first season highlight was winning the Oshawa Generals AAA tourney…a first for our U-11 Preds’ entry.Tobias is from Orillia, married with three kids and works in the Financial Advising industry. Tobias is well known to people in Orillia as one of its most successful hockey players of the past two decades. Tobias had stellar careers with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL and Lakehead University (Thunder Bay) in University Sport having served as team captain for both. He continued his playing career professionally before returning to Orillia to begin his career and raise a family. Tobias has been involved in our Predator's organization for a number of years as our Skills Director and many people locally will have experienced Tobias’ hockey talent for coaching in Orillia Minor Hockey and with a number of skills camps he has run in recent years. Tobias’ focus on skill development, team play and commitment to the game will serve our young athletes well. Our organization is ecstatic to have Tobias back and working with our youngest players....what an incredible opportunity for them. Welcome back to NCP Tobias!

Daryl Bat U-10 (Minor Atom) - We are extremely excited to welcome Daryl to our organization as head coach of our youngest entry. Daryl is from Orillia, is married with two children and is part owner of a car parts manufacturing company in Barrie. He is "jacked" to be working with our young athletes as head coach for their first year in "AAA" hockey.Daryl brings a long and successful playing career to his experience as coach. He played his minor hockey in Orillia and moved into the junior ranks playing Jr. A for Collingwood and the Couchiching Terriers. He received a scholarship to D-1 Bemidji State in Minnesota. He concluded his education at York University where he led his team to an OUA championship and two appearances at Nationals (USport). Daryl played professionally in Sweden and Holland for 12 seasons. During and following his playing days, Daryl ran numerous skating and skill development programs in Sweden, Denmark and Holland along with being co-owner of "Young Guns" hockey school here in Ontario. From 2014-2016 Daryl was "Head of Sports and Development KSF Hockey" in Copenhagen, Denmark. He has also been an assistant coach in the PJHL Jr. C loop with Orillia and is currently the head coach of Orillia's U-9 Rep team.Daryl's hockey experience is exceptional. We are looking forward to him imparting this experience and love for the game to our youngest athletes. Welcome to NCP Daryl! 
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