About
I grew up in Canadian military family where we moved all over Canada and a spent a brief time in Colorado. It was hard to move to a new place with no friends every 4 years. But, God used my high energy and hyper attention (and the help of my parents desperate plea to keep me busy) to practice all the things… from dribbling a soccer ball, chipping golf balls and of course stick handling and shooting pucks. I was also the middle child of three boys, we competed hard and had no mercy on one another. My parents, Lorne and Nancy demonstrated hard work, loyal dedication, sacrifice and tough love. I’m so grateful for their endless hours playing sports with us as well as prioritizing our love for sports and all the costs that came along with it.
My hockey journey has many twists and turns. Often times I didn’t make a team because of my height (I was under 5 Foot until junior year of high school.) But, in Gods true fashion he used every disappointment to create endurance. Like, having to redo 2 years of high school classes at 21 to get through the clearing house to attend and played hockey at Bemidji State University! Worth it though, there I earned a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science.
Underestimated and overlooked often, but with God’s answered prayers, provision and protection I was blessed enough to play 7 years with the Philadelphia Flyers and 1 years each with the Minnesota Wild and Toronto Maple Leafs organizations. (It still feels like that part of life was a dream!)
My wife Erin and I moved to Stillwater, Minnesota after my playing career where we are raising our 3 determined, sport driven, wonderful children.
From the Beginning
At a very young age, I realized the importance of being a strong fast skater was the difference in between good hockey players and great hockey players. I was very blessed to play professional hockey for 9 years. Through out my career I had different skating coaches, trying to master the skills of skating and being comfortable in all situations the game of hockey can throw at you.
coaching now
Since retiring I have been coaching minor hockey in the U8, U10 girls and mite boys programs. Still a student of the game and I enjoy learning and studying from coaches at various levels. I have gained a lot of knowledge from previous skating coaches and skill coaches throughout my years as a player, and my hope is I can pass that insight along to the next generation of players.