Stratford, ON - The ALLIANCE Hockey U16 Policy Committee is pleased to announce
the 2017 U16 Team ALLIANCE Staff:
Director of Operations: David Schlitt (Stratford)
Head Coach: Dean DeSilva (Kitchener)
Assistant Coach: Kyle Makaric (LaSalle)
Assistant Coach: Alex McFadden (Bright’s Grove)
Trainer: Eric Corda (Sarnia)
Trainer: Mark Elgersma
(London)
Goaltender Coach: Marc McCallum (Kitchener)
"The process was very challenging as we set out to select the 2017 Team ALLIANCE Staff. We had a very qualified group of applicants and appreciate everyone who applied and showed an interest in the program. We feel very confident that the selected Staff will do a great job of bringing a group of our best 2001-born players together and create a first-class team to represent ALLIANCE Hockey at the OHL Gold Cup," stated David Schlitt, Team ALLIANCE Director of Operations.
There will be events throughout the season, along with the regular season games to assist in identifying potential Team ALLIANCE players who will compete at the 2017 OHL Gold Cup including:
- 2016 ALLIANCE Hockey Minor Midget AAA Face Off: September 23-25, 2016, St. Mary's, ON
- 2016 ALLIANCE Hockey Minor Midget AAA All-Star Weekend: December 3-4, 2016, Waterloo, ON
- 2017 OHL Cup: March 14-20, 2017, Toronto, ON
- 2017 OHL Gold Cup: May 3-7, 2017, Kitchener, ON
Congratulations and welcome to the 2017 U16 Team ALLIANCE Staff!
Director of Operations: David Schlitt (Stratford)
Schlitt is High Performance 1 certified and brings a wealth of hockey experience to the position of Director of Operations. He has a history of scouting, including his current position of Recruiting Coordinator for the University of Waterloo. Schlitt's coaching background extends over 20 years and includes work at the minor level and at the U15, U16 and U17 POE's. Schlitt has national experience as well; his latest role was Assistant Coach for Team Ontario at the 2015 Canada Winter Games(gold medal). Schlitt is a current NCCP Facilitator, HP1 Group Leader and Field Evaluator.
Head Coach: Dean DeSilva (Kitchener)
DeSilva is high Performance 1 certified and is currently the Head Coach of the Kitchener Jr Rangers Minor Midget AAA team. He brings with him a wealth of national and international experience. In 2016, DeSilva was an Assistant Coach with Team Canada at the Youth Olympics (silver medal), in 2015 he was part of the Hockey Canada U17 National Program, as well as in 2011 when he was an Assistant Coach participating at the 3 Nations Cup. DeSilva was Head Coach with Team ALLIANCE in 2015 (silver medal) and an Assistant Coach in 2014 (bronze medal).
Assistant Coach: Kyle Makaric (LaSalle)
Makaric is High Performance 1 certified and the current Head Coach of the Windsor Jr Spitfires Midget AAA team. He brings a high level of both coaching and playing experience to the team, having played CIS hockey for the University of Windsor and Jr. B in Chatham.
Assistant Coach: Alex McFadden (Bright’s Grove)
McFadden is High Performance 1 certified and the current Head Coach of the Lambton Jr Sting Bantam AAA team. He brings a high level of both coaching and playing experience to the team. McFadden has previous experience with the U15 POE.
Trainer: Eric Corda (Sarnia)
Corda is a Registered Massage Therapist with a decorated resume that includes both national and international experience in the training field. Corda has been with Team ALLIANCE U16 since its inception and is a constant fixture throughout the U15, U16 and U17 POE's. Corda is currently the OHL Sarnia Sting Team Massage Therapist. Corda has specialized training/certification in a variety of injury management procedures, including sports medicine acupuncture.
Assistant Trainer: Mark Elgersma (London)
Elgersma is a Level 3 Trainer and a veteran member of Team ALLIANCE U16 Staff who is entering his third consecutive year with the team. Elgersma has a lengthy history of involvement with the U15, U16 and U17 Programs of Excellence and in the OHL. Elgersma's experience with the London Police Service and his years of service in hockey make him an asset to the team.
Goaltender Coach: Marc McCallum (Kitchener)
McCallum is currently an Assistant Coach of the Kitchener Jr Rangers Minor Midget AAA team and will join Team ALLIANCE for a third consecutive year. McCallum is a Master Hockey Canada Goaltending Facilitator and has a wealth of experience in both junior and minor hockey. McCallum also has experience with the U15, U16, U17, U18 and U20 Programs of Excellence
About the OHL Gold Cup:
The 2017 OHL Gold Cup will feature the best 2001-born players in Ontario competing in a 8-team tournament with representation from each of the following organizations: ALLIANCE Hockey, GTHL(2 teams), HNO, NOHA, HEO and OMHA(2 teams). The tournament is being held to identify potential players for Hockey Canada's 3 teams who will compete for a gold medal at the 2017 World Under 17 Hockey Challenge. The OHL Gold Cup is a key component of the Hockey Canada Program of Excellence.