Edmonton Staff

academies /

EDMONTON / STAFF

No athlete is a finished project, and no player is built in a day. At OHA Edmonton, our coaches bring an unparalleled level of expertise to their coaching duties each day. Their tremendous experience as both players and coaches at the Major Junior, College, and Professional levels allows them to build the student athlete in an incremental manner, focusing on the small details that separate elite players from the rest – both on the ice, and off.

Each athlete brings a unique skillset to the rink, and our coaches work to develop that particular player within the team concept. OHA Edmonton’s coaches also share an incredible passion not only for player development, but for personal development as well.

RANDALL WEBER

GENERAL MANAGER

Weber played professional hockey in Europe for 17 years with the Nottingham Panthers. Played on the Great Britain National team in 1998 at the IIHF World Championship. Randall has 24 years of coaching experience at various levels, including formerly being a head coach at OHA Penticton. He was named Alberta Midget Hockey League Coach of the Year in 2014.

SEAN BEISSEL

ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER, ASSISTANT COACH

Spent eight years as the academic & athletic development director of operations with the hockey program at Donnan School in Edmonton, as well as two seasons as the head coach of the Fort Saskatchewan Midget AAA team. Beissel also spent seven seasons as the director of hockey development and Midget AAA Head Coach with the Sherwood Park Kings Athletic Club, as well as four seasons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League in various capacities.

JAY HENDERSON

HEAD COACH, U18 PREP

Henderson was drafted to the NHL in 1997 by the Boston Bruins, where he played 33 games. Jay played for 8-years in the American Hockey League (AHL), during which he was a 3-time American Hockey League Calder Cup Champion. From 2005-2010 Jay played Pro Hockey in the German Elite Hockey League (DEL), the Austrian Elite Hockey League (EBEL), and the English Elite Hockey League (EIHL). From 2011-2013, Henderson held numerous Assistant and Head Coach roles for Hockey Alberta, including coaching in the Alberta Cup multiple times. From there, Henderson would become the Assistant Coach with the Western League’s Kootenay Ice until 2015. Henderson has worked for and with many great organizations, allowing him to bring a high-quality level of experience to OHA.

TRAVIS CLAYTON

HEAD COACH, U17 PREP

Clayton joins OHA Edmonton after serving as the Whitecourt Wolverines’ (AJHL) Associate Coach. Prior to his time with the Wolverines, he served as Technical Director of the Sherwood Park Kings Athletics Club, as well as the U18AAA Head Coach. Additionally, Clayton was the Head Coach of the Lloydminster Bobcats (AJHL), and coached the Lloydminster Elite Division, winning provincial titles at the AAA level in U15 and U18. Clayton’s skill set, communication style and passion for the game align with OHA’s vision, making him a great addition to the coaching staff.allowing him to bring a high-quality level of experience to OHA.

TREVOR BAKER

HEAD COACH, U16 PREP

Trevor has play minor hockey in Edmonton and Jr A in Alberta. From there, he then played in the WHL with the Prince Albert Raiders before moving on to the ECHL with many stints in the IHL, AHL UHL, and the EIHL in England. Baker played a total of 9 years professional hockey, including 2-years as team captain with the Peoria Rivermen. After retiring Trevor has worked as a skill development coach and advisor, before come to OHA. He looks forward to helping development with these young student-athletes passing on his knowledge and skill.

DERRICK MARTIN

HEAD COACH, U15 PREP

Martin spent four seasons as the Assistant Coach of the Spruce Grove Saints. During his time with the Saints, he helped coach the team to an AJHL Championship in 2018. Prior to his time at the Junior A level Martin spent 12 years at the minor hockey level, including four years at the SSAC where he later served as Director of Coach Development. Martin has also been actively involved as both an Assistant and Head Coach in variety of Hockey Alberta Programs. Martin looks forward to helping OHA student-athletes achieve their goals both in hockey and in life.

JUSTIN COX

HEAD COACH, U15

Justin Cox is a former professional athlete with a 14 year playing career. Cox played four seasons with the Prince George Cougars of the WHL and was drafted in 1999 by the Dallas Stars. Following the WHL, Cox spent six seasons in the AHL before moving on to the ECHL and the DEL. Since retiring, Justin has worked as a coach in the Edmonton Minor Hockey Area as well as starting his own hockey development business. Outside of hockey, Justin is a certified Emergency Medical Responder, having worked in Parkland County as a Firefighter for 5 years. Cox’s adaptive and progressive coaching style, partnered with his excellent communication skills helps to create positive synergy with players, parents and colleagues alike.

JAMIE CROOKS

ASSISTANT COACH

Crooks spent 5 years in the WHL with the Saskatoon Blades, Chilliwack Bruins and Victoria Royals. Following his time in the WHL, Jamie attended the University of Alberta, where he studied Physical Education and Recreation. During his time with the U of A Golden Bears, he won 3 U SPORTS National Championships. Following university, Crooks headed to Europe to play in the EHIL. Now that his playing career is over, Crooks looks forward to using his many experiences in the game to help guide OHA’s student-athletes in achieving their goals – not only as hockey players, but more importantly as people.

CLINTON SENKOW

ASSISTANT COACH

Senkow played junior hockey in the KIJHL before moving up to Junior A. His Junior A career would see him play in the MJHL, SIJHL, and the AJHL. During his time in the SIJHL, his team, the Dryden Ice Dogs would win the league championship. Following his Junior career, Senkow attended NAIT, where he obtained a BBA in Management and won an ACAC Championship in 2013. During this time, Clinton was also growing his coaching resume as an Instructor at the NAIT Hockey Camps. After NAIT, Clinton worked as a Bench Coach for the Alberta Cup for the Edmonton North Team. Senkow is excited to be a part of the OHA Edmonton and looks forward to working with the student-athletes.

PETER KASOWSKI

ASSISTANT COACH

Kasowski started his Junior Hockey career with the WHL Swift Current Broncos. In the 1989 Swift Current would win the Memorial Cup, with Kasowski also being drafted by the Hartford Whalers. After the WHL Peter would play professionally in Germany (Division III), the ECHL, and IHL before returning to Canada to attend NAIT. While with the NAIT Ooks, the team would win the Canadian National College Hockey Championship in 1996. Kasowski finished his hockey career in the BNL. Since that time, he has been building his coaching resume, holding AC and HC roles with AA and AAA teams throughout Alberta. He looks forward to sharing his experience with the OHA student-athletes.

VANESSA HETTINGER

POWER SKATING COACH

Hettinger has built an extensive career in hockey and skating development. Vanessa has worked with thousands of athletes from novice to professional and has won 3 WHL Championships and a Memorial Cup Championship as Skating Coach with 3 WHL organizations (Edmonton Oil Kings, Tri-City Americans, and Swift Current Broncos). As one of only two recognized Master Skating Coaches for Hockey Canada, Hettinger has presented on Skating Development at the National Coach Mentorship Program, the NCMP/NCCP Instructional Stream Training Seminar, and presented on Skate Fit for Performance (Saskatchewan Hockey). As a leading Facilitator and Evaluator for Skate Canada’s “CanPowerSkate” program, Vanessa has recently been accredited as Skate Canada’s National Master Coach Developer. Hettinger looks forward to working with OHA Edmonton and supporting the vision and success of their student-athletes and coaches.

MIKE DUCO

OKANAGAN HOCKEY GROUP SKILLS DEVELOPMENT COACH

Duco is also the Skill Development Coach for the Pickering Panthers Jr. A team. Previously, Duco was an assistant coach for the Peterborough Petes of the OHL during the 2017-18 season after serving as a head coach with the ECHL’s Elmira Jackals the previous season. On top of his duties with the Petes, he also was involved with the Peterborough Minor Hockey Association as a skills development coach and player evaluator.

The Toronto, Ont. product enjoyed an extensive nine-year professional playing career that saw him play 18 games in the NHL with the Florida Panthers and Vancouver Canucks, 267 games in the AHL, as well as time spent in the ECHL and Europe. Duco played parts of five seasons in the OHL with the Kitchener Rangers, where he was part of the 2008 J. Ross Robertson Cup winning team as OHL champions.

KURTIS MUCHA

GOALIE COACH

After a stellar five-year career as a student athlete at the University of Alberta, which saw him win two U SPORTS National Championships and be named the reciepient of the 2013 U SPORTS Goaltender of the Year award, Mucha has worked as a Goaltending Development Coach with the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings since 2015. He has also served as the Goaltending Consultant for the AJHL’s Spruce Grove Saints and Sherwood Park Crusaders. Mucha holds the WHL record for most career games played (245), is second in career minutes played (13,708) and third in most career saves (6,908) after spending five seasons with the Portland Winterhawks and Kamloops Blazers.

MARK FITZGERALD

HUMAN PERFORMANCE CONUSLTANT

Mark Fitzgerald has spent the last 15 years working with athletes from a variety of sports at every level. He began his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization and also became the Head of Performance and Nutrition for the Canadian Hockey League. Most recently, Fitzgerald was the Head of Performance for the Anaheim Ducks. Fitzgerald is the founder of Elite Training Systems in Ontario, which has grown to four locations servicing athletes from all major and minor sports. Fitzgerald also serves as a consultant for a number of health and performance organizations including Under Armour, CHL, Ontario Tech University, and Toronto Aeros Rugby.

PHIL DALY

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

Phil has been involved in the fitness industry since 2006. After growing up playing competitive hockey and graduating from the NAIT Personal Fitness Trainer program in the spring of 2006, Phil knew his passion was in the hockey industry. Phil has taken athletes from Bantam all the way through to the pro hockey level; working with Bantam, Midget, Junior, NCAA, CIS, or Pro levels.

Over the years Phil has developed an off-season training program for hockey players that has become his primary focus and passion. Helping facilitate young hockey players and producing some of the fittest clients in hockey has been one of the most rewarding things in Phil’s career. Phil believes in continuous learning to ensure that he provides his athletes with the most he can offer.

DWAYNE LAING

MANAGER OF ATHLETIC THERAPY

Dwayne has been an athletic therapist for nearly two decades. In that time, he has traveled the world with various teams and sports. Since growing up in Edmonton through the 80’s, hockey has always been a passion of his. Dwayne has been with OHA Edmonton since the beginning, both as an athletic therapist and strength coach. This season, he is focusing his energy into the therapy side. Throughout his career, Dwayne has also had a keen interest in training youth athletes. It is the reward of challenging their athletic development, as well as the students and citizens that keeps him coming back year after year. When he is not at the rink, Dwayne is also the athletic therapist at Harry Ainlay High School. He works with their many championship teams along with their Sports Performance, Sports Medicine and Physical Education classes. In his rare spare time, you can find him spending time enjoying the outdoors with his wife and three kids.

VICTORIA MCCRAY

ATHLETIC THERAPIST

Victoria graduated Sheridan College with a degree in Athletic Therapy where she deepened her desire to improve athlete’s quality of life and physical performance, building on her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Science Human Nutrition from ST. Frances Xavier University. Victoria has worked with a variety of different teams and sports including Jr. A Hockey, AA Women’s Hockey, Lacrosse, Rugby & Basketball. She has also worked as a fitness and sports instructor for the Canadian Forces. Victoria is excited to work with the OHA athletes to see them develop and grow with their passion for hockey.

DARRYL WEINBERGER

EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Weinberger’s extensive coaching history includes three seasons as an Assistant Coach with the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings, two seasons as an Assistant Coach with the WHL’s Edmonton Ice and six seasons as Head Coach of the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers Midget AAA team. Weinberger has been with Vimy Ridge Academy since 2010 and has been the Assistant Principal since 2013. He has also been a Teacher at McNally High School since 1996. Weinberger graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Physical Education and Recreation Sports Studies, as well as a Education Certificate from the Faculty of Education.