The North Central
Predators are proud to introduce the Head Coaches for the 2025-2026 season.
Matt Best – Head Coach U10
Matt lives in Huntsville where he has been a part of minor hockey there for the past 8 years coaching its’ youngest teams through their formative hockey years. His playing days included time with the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL, 4 years in the OJHL and a season in USport with the University of Windsor where he earned Academic All Canadian status.
Matt’s coaching experience spans 15 years having served as an assistant coach with the Dudley Hewitt Cup Finalist Huntsville Otters Junior A club in 2011 through to these past 5 years as head coach with various Huntsville Otters minor teams.
In taking on the role of head coach with the North Central Predators Matt expressed enthusiasm for the season ahead, “I want to instill in our young athletes the love of the game of hockey while establishing habits in them that will have our kids play the game the right way…..no shortcuts, nothing given and every inch of the ice competed for. My goal is to have our players love hockey more at the end of the season then they did at the beginning….lots of fun while developing good young people and hockey players. I can’t wait for tryouts in April to see the incredible talent that will form our NCP U10 club!”
Welcome to NCP Matt!
Chad Thompson - Head Coach U11
North Central Predators U-11 head coach, Chad Thompson was inducted into the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame in 2024, recognizing his accomplishments in both hockey and lacrosse.
“We would like to congratulate Chad on his induction into the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame. Our U-11 team is in good hands next year, with Chad as head coach. We look forward to working with him,” said NCP vice president, Rich Foshay.
A former North Central Predator himself, Thompson saw success in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), playing for the London Knights, Barrie Colts and Oshawa Generals over four seasons from 2001-2005. He then took his defensive talents to the National Lacrosse League (NLL), playing five seasons from 2006-2010 – suiting up for the Philadelphia Wings, San Jose Stealth, Toronto Rock and Orlando Titans.
“Being drafted to play in the OHL and then drafted to play in the NLL were days that I will remember forever but to be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in the town that I grew up in, playing sports that I loved to play, that is something that holds a special place in my heart. It is a huge honour,” said Thompson.
Today, his experience and passion for sport continues to benefit young athletes in his community. He has been an incredible asset on the bench as a head coach for NCP.
“It has been a pleasure working with the U10 group this past season. We had tremendous growth as a team as we built foundational habits that will pay off in the years to come", stated Thompson.
The NCP organization is excited to have a talent like Thompson take on the head coach role for next season's U11 team. “Chad Thompson brings to our North Central Predator organization an understanding of what it takes to excel at the highest levels. As a player he was willing to commit himself to doing what it takes to compete against the best. It is our hope that he is able to instil his passion and work ethic into our youngest athletes,” said Foshay.
The NCP organization welcomes back Chad Thompson as head coach of our U11 team!
Joe Franzin – Head Coach U12
Joe is a passionate educator and hockey coach dedicated to developing both students and athletes. He recently completed teacher’s college at Lakehead University in Orillia and is eager to bring his enthusiasm for teaching and mentorship to the ice.
For the past two seasons, he has served as an assistant coach with the U16 North Central Predators, helping to shape young athletes both on and off the ice. Before that, he was an assistant coach with the Cambridge RedHawks in the GOJHL Jr. B league, gaining valuable coaching experience at the junior level.
During his playing career, Joe developed a deep understanding of the game while competing at the highest levels of minor and junior hockey. He played for the Whitby Minor Hockey Association from U10 to U18 AAA before being drafted to the OHL by the North Bay Battalion in 2015. His junior career included three seasons in the OJHL Junior A with the Pickering Panthers and one season in the GOJHL with the Cambridge RedHawks, where he was honored to serve as captain for both teams
As a coach, Joe’s philosophy is centered on fostering a hardworking and dedicated team culture, ensuring that every player is challenged to reach their full potential. Witnessing the growth and development of players is the most rewarding aspect of coaching, and he takes great pride in helping them progress both as athletes and individuals. His focus is on developing athletes’ individual skills and integrating them into effective tactical team play.
We are excited to welcome Joe Franzin to the role of Head Coach with NCP!
Daryl Bat – Head Coach U13
Daryl was raised in Orillia, ON and brings a wealth of hockey knowledge to NCP. Over the past two decades he has held the Head Coach title for many hockey teams (U13+) in Canada and Denmark and has owned/operated numerous hockey schools in Canada, Denmark and Sweden. His coaching experience includes his role as the Sports Manager for the KSF Osterbro Hockey Club in Copenhagen, Denmark (2014-2016), overseeing hockey operations for all teams (U7 to U18) as well as his time as an Assistant Coach for the Orillia Junior C Terriers in 2019.
He received a NCAA D1 scholarship to Bemidji State University in 1999 and played two seasons in USport for the York University Varsity Men’s hockey team. He then went on to play 11 seasons of professional hockey in Europe in both Sweden and the Netherlands.
NCP’s long history of providing coaches, players and families with a very professional atmosphere is what Bat said drew him to the organization. “Right from the board members to all the coaches that are selected to guide their teams, the support and resources you receive really benefits you as a coach which translates onto the ice throughout the season,” he said.
Daryl has worked hard with this cohort over the past 3 seasons. His clubs have steadily improved over this time and he is excited about next year and the potential his club has shown on the ice. In looking forward, Bat states, “I see so much potential with this group. Each year we have made steady strides to improve both individually and as a team. I see big things ahead for our team!”
Daryl's enthusiasm and commitment to coaching is unparalleled. He works tirelessly to place his athletes in positive positions to succeed. We are excited to welcome Daryl back to NCP and to witness the continued growth of this age group!
Tobias Whelan - Head Coach U14
A graduate of the North Central Predators AAA program himself, Whelan has been a part of our coaching staff since 2012. Additionally, he was the NCP Skill Development Instructor from 2013-2019. Tobias is entering his 4th season as head coach. His coaching experience also includes his time as an Assistant Coach for the Orillia Junior C Terriers during the 2014-15 season and as the Orillia Minor Hockey Tyke Program Lead Development Instructor from 2017-2020.
His on-ice credentials include playing for the OHL’s Oshawa Generals from 2000-2004 and in USport for the Lakehead University Varsity Men’s Hockey team from 2004-2009. This was followed by his professional hockey experience with the CHL’s Allen Americans in Texas and the Rodovre Mighty Bulls in the Danish Elite League. Whelan was named the Team Captain of both the Generals and Americans and an Alternate Captain during his time at Lakehead and Rodovre.
“I always knew I wanted to stay involved with hockey and wanted to give back. When I quit playing hockey and moved back to town (his hometown of Orillia, ON), I was approached by past NCP President Pat Morris to help out with the NCP team he was coaching at the time. I started going to practices and got more and more involved and I have been coaching ever since,” he said.
Over the past 3 seasons, Whelan’s clubs have been a top 5 team in the OMHA East and has qualified for the OMHA Championship weekend. Tobias expects big things for his club next season!
Tobias Whelan is an elite coach. He understands his athlete's development path and establishes positive habits as evidenced by his players' hockey IQ, work ethic and commitment. Our NCP executive is excited to see what is next with our U14 club!
U15 - To Be Determined
Mark Watson – Head Coach U16
Mark Watson joins our organization to coach our draft eligible U16 club. Mark brings with him to the head coaching role literally 45 years of hockey experience. Mark has worked at Central Scouting in the OHL, has been a junior head coach and general manager, coached Senior hockey along with several years coaching minor hockey at all levels and ages. Most recently Mark has coached in the OMHA East AAA league with Richmond Hill, YSE and COW. Along with his coaching, scouting and administrative experiences, Mark has also run an extremely successful 4 on 4 league in the Stouffville area for the past two decades….having begun with approximately 100 kids ballooning the league to over 600 kids of all levels and abilities. Coach Watson has literally spent his adult life in the game bringing diverse perspectives and experiences that will benefit all our athletes. We are ecstatic to have Mark aboard and working with our flagship club!
In looking forward to the season ahead Mark states, “I am thrilled to join the NCP organization with the U16 cohort for this extremely exciting draft year. Kids have been working hard at their game for 12+ years in hopes of getting drafted. My job is to get our club prepared to play outstanding hockey where every young man on our team has an important role so that he can showcase his abilities while contributing to our team’s winning hockey. I believe that I can help kids succeed both in terms of team goals and individual success. I can’t wait to get started!”
We welcome Mark to our organization!
U18 - To Be Determined