Our Executive
President – Ian Gallagher
Vice-President – Owen Pighin
Director of Finance – Austin Vetterl
Director of Recruitment – Tim Preston
Director of Business Operations – Kate Wheeler
Marketing & Business Coordinator – Paris Eliopoulos
Meet Our Team
Ian Gallagher
President
Ian has lead the Delta Hockey Academy since its inception in 2004. He designed and implemented the South Delta Secondary Hockey Academy Skills Program and has grown the academy to include 8 competitive teams which play in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL). Ian is the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Delta Hockey Academy with over 25 years experience working with professional and amateur players, including 12 years with the Vancouver Giants (WHL) from 2004 to 2016. Ian earned his Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta and taught for 15 years in the Edmonton School District.
Owen Pighin
Vice-President
Owen has been coaching competitive male and female hockey since 1983 and in that time has won 18 championships. He earned the Top Coach Award at the Coca-Cola Classic in Vernon in 2012. Owen was the Vice-President of Female Hockey at North Shore Winter Club and the head skills instructor for female hockey. He earned the NSWC Coach of the Year award in 2001 and again in 2002, and attended the Quebec International Tournament in both years. In 2004 Owen was the Head Coach of Team BC at ESSO Women's Nationals and later that year was selected to coach the all-star team for South Coast Female Amateur Hockey League. Owen is the Head Coach and Operator of West Coast All Stars Skills Training. He has coached with the female program at the Delta Hockey Academy since its inaugural year in 2016. Owen has coached 9 NHL players, over 30 WHL players, over 50 Jr A/Jr B players, over 40 NCAA players and over 15 CIS/U-Sports players. Owen is a Certified Hockey Canada High Performance Coach.
Kate Wheeler
Director of Business Operations
Kate graduated from Quinnipiac University with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Marketing in 2012. She earned a NCAA Division 1 full-athletic scholarship for the women's hockey team and served as an assistant captain from 2010 to 2012. After graduation, Kate played professionally in Austria for the Neuberg Highlanders in the DEC League from 2012-2013. After her hockey career, Kate began her business career in the pharmaceutical sector where she was the marketing rep for a pharmacy chain. She then moved onto doing sales and business development in the pharmaceutical and pharmacy tech industries. Kate is a Certified Hockey Canada Development 1 Coach and coached the DHA U18 Female Green team from 2017-2020 seasons. She now is the Director of Business Operations at the Delta Hockey Academy as well as the Delta Health & Performance Clinic.
Tim Preston
Director of Recruiting & Lead Skills Coach
Tim has worked for the Delta Hockey Academy since 2014. He led the Bantam Varsity team to a CSSHL League Championship and Playoff Championship in 2014. Tim's coaching experience started in 2002 and his specialization spans from teaching and developing young players to the NHL level. Tim was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 1999. He played in the WHL for the Seattle Thunderbirds for 5 years. Tim is the head on-ice instructor at Impact Hockey Development (IHD) and is also the Owner and Operator of the Lightning Spring Hockey Program.
Regan Elmer
Operations Coordinator
Regan was a student athlete with the Delta Hockey Academy for 4 seasons. In her second year with the Wild Regan helped her team battle for their playoff championship title. The following season Regan received an ‘A’ for her leadership qualities, and then moved on to Captain for her final year. Once graduated Regan began her professional journey here at Delta.
Rick Lanz
U18 Prep Head Coach
Rick's extensive professional career started when he was drafted by the Oshawa Generals in the OHL and played in the World Junior Hockey Championships. He was selected in the 1st round (7th overall) in the 1980 NHL entry draft by the Vancouver Canucks. He played in the NHL for 12 years with the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Black Hawks, and Tampa Bay Lightning. He played in the World Championships and won a bronze medal in 1984/85. Rick also played in the Swiss Elite League Division 1. Rick has over 15 years of experience as head coach/GM in the IHL, WHL and BCHL and received Coach of the Year Honors in the BCHL. He coached teams to the RBC Cup twice and won it in 2006. He has coached numerous NHL players such as Scott Gomez, Kyle Turris, Milan Lucic, Patrick Weircoich, Mike and Mark Santorelli, Ryan Hollweg, and Brad Hunt. Rick is the Co-owner of Gateway and Hockey.com Amateur Scout for 10 years with the Colorado Avalanche. He is currently an amateur scout for the St. Louis Blues. Rick is a Certified Hockey Canada High Performance Coach.
Mike Aviani
U18 Prep Assistant Coach
Mike played four seasons in the WHL with the Spokane Chiefs tallying 235 points over 315 games played. He was an assistant captain in his final two seasons with the Chiefs and in 2023/2014 he was named to the WHL Western Conference Second All-Star Team. In addition to Mike’s contributions on the ice, he also participated in several charity events in Spokane, helping raise funds for cancer research for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and volunteering at a local homeless shelter – actions that contributed to Mike earning the Humanitarian of the Year Award for two seasons. After his time in the WHL, Mike moved on the play in the ECHL for the Florida Everblades and in the AHL for the Charlotte Checkers, San Jose Barracuda, Iowa Wild and Rochester Americans from 2014-2017. Mike then moved to Europe where he played pro in the EBEL from 2017-2020. He returned to Canada in 2020 to start his coaching career. Mike is a Certified Hockey Canada Development 1 Coach.
Mark Taylor
U18 Female Prep Green Head Coach
Mark has a long history of coaching female hockey, most recently with the Greater Vancouver Comets Major Midget female program, where he led the team to 5 straight league titles. In 1976, Mark was named MVP in the BCHL at the age of 17 with 49 goals and 79 assists. He won a national championship with the University of North Dakota in 1980; that season Mark was named to the NCAA all-American team and won MVP (now called the Hobey Baker award). Mark is the second all-time leading scorer in UND history. Following his university career, Mark went on to play 12 years of professional hockey with the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals. In his 1983-84 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mark scored 24 goals and 31 assists in 59 games. Following his career in the NHL, Mark dedicated himself to coaching and to building the business once owned by his grandfather – Hockey Hall of Famer Cyclone Taylor. Mark is a Certified Hockey Canada High Performance Coach.
Megan Taylor
U18 Female Prep Green Assistant Coach
Megan has 4+ years of experience coaching high-performance female athletes. Before her coaching career, she studied at Western University's Richard Ivey School of Business and played for Western’s USPORT hockey team, where she was as assistant captain for two seasons and won two division championships as well as the program’s first national championship. After retiring from university hockey, Megan began her coaching career with the BCEHL’s U18AAA Greater Vancouver Comets, serving as an assistant coach for four seasons and helping the team win the BCEHL championship in 2019. Megan is a certified Hockey Canada Development 1 Coach.
Jordan Mackenzie
U18 Female Prep Black Head Coach
Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach
Jordan has over 10 years of experience as a strength and conditioning coach with elite athletes. He spent 6 years as an intern and assistant strength and conditioning coach with the Vancouver Canucks. He also worked with the Coquitlam Express (BCHL) for one season. Jordan has a Bachelor of Physical Education and Coaching degree with a specialization in Kinesiology. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), NCCP trained level 1, holds a high five certificate, BCRPA fitness theory weight training and personal training, and is certified in CPR and First Aid. Jordan is the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Delta High Performance Clinic. Jordan is a Certified Hockey Canada High Performance Coach.
Paris Eliopoulos
U18 Female Prep Black Assistant CoachMarketing & Business Coordinator
Paris is an alumni of the inaugural Delta Female team that won the CSSHL championship their first year in the league. After 3 seasons at Delta, she graduated and went on to study sports management in university. Paris is now back at DHA working as the Marketing & Business coordinator, as well as coaching the Female Black team. Paris is a certified Hockey Canada Development 1 coach.
Steven Hodges
U17 Prep Head Coach
Steve moved from Yellowknife to Delta to train at the Delta Hockey Academy at 14 years old. After that season with the Wild, Steve was drafted 1st Round, 9th Overall by the Chilliwack Bruins in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft. He scored the 1st franchise goal in Victoria Royals history after the original Chilliwack Bruins Team was sold and relocated to Victoria in his second year with the organization. Steve was then drafted 3rd round, 84th overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He was selected to represent Team WHL in the Canada-Russia Subway Super Series and soon after signed a 3-year Entry Level Contract with the Florida Panthers. Steve played his first of 3-years Professional Hockey at the American Hockey League (AHL) level from the age of 19 to 22 before transitioning into his coaching career. He has been a coach with the Delta Hockey Academy since 2019 and has coached our U18 Prep, U17 Prep and U15 Prep teams. He also works with North Delta Minor Hockey. Steven is a Certified Hockey Canada High Performance Coach.
Spencer Bennett
U17 Prep Assistant Coach
Spencer has coached at Delta for over 10 seasons. He has coached E15, U17, and U18, winning a CSSHL Championship in both U17 and U18 Prep divisions. In his playing career, Spencer was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 5th round, 141st overall in 2009. He played in the BCHL, WHL, ECHL, and AHL. Spencer is a certified Hockey Canada Development 1 and High Performance Coach.
Milan Dragicevic
U17 Head Coach
Milan joined the academy as the Head Coach of Bantam Prep White in 2018/2019. He has an extensive coaching career which includes serving as the head coach of the UBC Men's Hockey Team from 2002 to 2014. He is also the former head coach of Drayton Valley in the AJHL and the Vancouver Giants in the WHL. Milan has strong ties to the Richmond minor hockey community. He is the Director of Development for Richmond Ravens Female Hockey and the Director of Hockey for Richmond Minor. Milan is also the Owner and Operator of Dragicevic Hockey Development. Milan is a Certified Hockey Canada High Performance Coach.
Harry Dion
U17 Assistant Coach
Harry has coached male and female hockey for over 30 years. He is a Certified Hockey Canada High Performance Coach with NCCP Level 3 Hockey Theory. Harry has coached at the Delta Hockey Academy for many years including E15, Bantam Varsity and Bantam Prep White. Harry was the assistant coach for the Team BC female program at the Canada Winter Games and was a two-time assistant coach for the BC Best Ever male program. He has 4 years coaching experience for the BC High Performance Program and over 7 years of experience coaching with Semiahmoo Minor Hockey. Harry was also a three-time head coach for Team BC Female at the ESSO Nationals.
Austin Vetterl
U15 Prep Head Coach
Director of Finance
Austin graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2020 where he competed with the Thunderbirds for 5 seasons earning a total of 107 points in his USports career. Prior to university, Austin played in the WHL for both the Vancouver Giants and the Kootenay Ice. Austin started his coaching career in September 2020 with the Delta Hockey Academy. He is a certified strength and conditioning coach and a Certified Hockey Canada High Performance Coach.
Cam Trott
U15 Prep Assistant Coach
Cam is an alumni of the Delta Hockey Academy playing from 2012-2014. He went on to play 3 seasons in the BCHL with Salmon Arm and Vernon. Cam played 5 years of university hockey for the University of Alaska-Anchorage, University of Lethbridge, and Grant Macewan. He graduated from Macewan in 2023 with a degree in commerce and started coaching at DHA that same year. Cam is a certified Hockey Canada Development 1 coach.
Nolan Gallagher
U15 Prep Assistant Coach & Strength Coach
Nolan has coached at the Delta Hockey Academy since 2015. Nolan travelled to China in 2018 as the assistant coach of the Bantam Varsity team as they competed against local Chinese hockey teams. Nolan is an alumnus of the Delta Hockey Academy where he played for 3 years before playing in the SJHL for the Estevan Bruins and the BCHL for the Coquitlam Express. Nolan graduated from the Vermillion Fire School in 2016 as a certified fire fighter and first responder. Nolan is a Certified Hockey Canada High Performance Coach.
Brittany Kirby
Director of Marketing & Business Operations
U15 Female Prep Head Coach
Brittany graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree with a double-major in english and history. She played for the UofT women's hockey team, served as an assistant captain for 2 seasons, and was a scholarship recipient of the Larry and Judy Tanenbaum Award of Merit. Prior to university, Brittany played junior hockey for the Connecticut Polar Bears and Taft Prep School in Connecticut in 2007-2008, and for the Pacific Steelers from 2004-2007 where she served as captain in her final season. She coached Team Winnipeg Gold at the 2018 Manitoba Winter Games and continues to volunteer coach at Team BC regional and provincial camps. She is the lead skills coach for the Delta Stars female minor hockey program. Brittany coached our U18 Female Varsity team to a CSSHL Championship victory alongside head coach Owen Pighin in 2018-2019. In 2022 Brittany was named Hockey Canada BFL Female Coach of the Year in BC. Brittany is a Certified Hockey Canada Development 1 and High Performance Coach.
Reese Hiddleston
U15 Female Prep Assistant Coach
Reese is an alumna of the inaugural Delta Female team that captured the CSHL championship in its first season. After three years with DHA, she continued her hockey career at the University of British Columbia, where she played five seasons with the UBC Thunderbirds and won three Canada West Championships while earning a degree in Kinesiology. Following her time at UBC, Reese pursued a second bachelor's degree in Education to become a teacher and transitioned into coaching. She has served as an assistant coach for female minor hockey teams across the Lower Mainland and has worked as a goalie development coach. Reese is a certified Hockey Canada Development 1 coach.
Shawn McBride
U15 Black Head Coach
Shawn was the head coach of the Delta Hockey Academy Midget Varsity team from 2016 to 2018 and the assistant coach of Bantam Prep Green in 2018/2019. He coached Bantam A1 and Midget A1 and went to the provincial finals with both groups. Shawn is also the head coach of the BC Lightning spring program. He is the on- and off-ice instructor with Impact Hockey. Shawn's coaching experience includes working with current NHL players such as Brendan Dillon, Ryan Johansen and Shea Theodore, as well as numerous semi-pro, major junior, and junior hockey players. Shawn is a Certified Hockey Canada High Performance Coach.
Brent Thurston
U15 Black Assistant Coach & School Liaison
Brent has been playing and coaching hockey for over 30 years. He is active in the Delta hockey community as a coach and on-ice skills instructor. Brent has coached the Bantam Prep, Bantam Varsity and E15 teams at the Delta Hockey Academy. He has also worked as a skills coach at Burnsview and South Delta Secondary. Brent's career highlights include winning the Memorial Cup with the Spokane Chiefs, earning a spot on the First All-Star Team and later being drafted by the Vancouver Canucks. Brent played professional hockey in Sweden. He was the first player in the Canadian National Team program to play for Canada in both Ice Hockey and Inline Hockey, winning two gold and two silver medals. Brent helped design the National Standards Skills Testing program with Hockey Canada and has traveled throughout Canada to assist Hockey Canada and other organizations with on-ice skill evaluations and development. Brent is a Certified Hockey Canada Development 1 Coach.
Zefan Pighin
U15 Black Assistant Coach
Pro Shop & Equipment Manager
Zefan is an alumnus of the Delta Hockey Academy having spent 5 seasons with the Wild. His first two years were with the skills academy before he joined the inaugural E15 team in grade 10. In 2016 Zefan was a contributing member of the U18 Prep Championship team and he moved on to Captain the U18 Prep team in his second year with the squad. After graduation, Zefan played for the Victoria Cougars (VIJHL) and then finished his playing career with the Richmond Sockeyes (PJHL). Zefan is a Certified Hockey Canada Development 1 Coach. He is also a skills coach with the BC Bears program.
Richard Mueller
U15 White Head Coach
Richard played 5 years in the Western Hockey League for the Brandon Wheat Kings and the Calgary Hitmen. He went on to play 18 successful years in Europe, including Germany and Sweden. Richard won a total of 5 Championships while playing in Europe. Richard had the honour of being placed on the 2010 Olympic Roster with Team Germany. In 2016, Richard was awarded Frankfurt, Germany “Athlete Of The Year” where he was nominated along side Olympians and World Champions. In 2022, Richard retired from playing his professional career and stepped into coaching. He is the founder/owner of Mueller International Hockey Development. Richard is going into his first year coaching at Delta Hockey Academy.
Mike Aviani
U15 White Assistant Coach
Mike played four seasons in the WHL with the Spokane Chiefs tallying 235 points over 315 games played. He was an assistant captain in his final two seasons with the Chiefs and in 2023/2014 he was named to the WHL Western Conference Second All-Star Team. In addition to Mike’s contributions on the ice, he also participated in several charity events in Spokane, helping raise funds for cancer research for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and volunteering at a local homeless shelter – actions that contributed to Mike earning the Humanitarian of the Year Award for two seasons. After his time in the WHL, Mike moved on the play in the ECHL for the Florida Everblades and in the AHL for the Charlotte Checkers, San Jose Barracuda, Iowa Wild and Rochester Americans from 2014-2017. Mike then moved to Europe where he played pro in the EBEL from 2017-2020. He returned to Canada in 2020 to start his coaching career. Mike is a Certified Hockey Canada Development 1 Coach.
Karen Kos
Skills Coach
For the past 30 years Karen has owned and operated her own Technical Skating business, overseeing program development working with players from the minor, junior, collegiate, and professional hockey ranks. Her approach to technical power skating is unlike any other skating programs in that she applies her extensive educational background and expertise in the field of Biomechanics to develop strong skating technique in her students. Throughout her sessions, players will gain understanding as to how to move their body efficiently and effortlessly through implementing key concepts which maxime overall body movement, footspeed and power. Specific emphasis is placed on breaking down, rebuilding, and fine tuning players' skating techniques,, utilizing core principles of biomechanics. With this scientific approach to skating, these hockey specific sessions ensure players develop superior skills on a much higher level and at a faster pace. Karens unique style, quality of instruction and passion for improving players sketing brings out the best in all her students in a fun and energetic learning environment.
Tyler Chambers
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Pavel Dhah
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Pavel is a highly experienced Strength and Conditioning Coach at Delta Hockey Academy and serves as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Delta Ice Hawks. As a Sports Performance Specialist, Pavel has worked with elite athletes across multiple sports, including hockey players from the NHL, WHL, BCHL, and PJHL, as well as athletes from basketball, football, soccer, baseball, and MMA. His expertise in developing tailored training programs for individual athletes and teams has helped athletes reach peak performance in their respective sports.
Lynden Sammartino
Lead Goalie Coach
For the past 20+ years, Lynden has been involved with goaltending either as a player, coach or mentor. Lynden started his playing career in Surrey, eventually moving on to play a year of Junior B with the Ridge Meadow Flames of the PIJHL. The following year, he played Junior A for the Yorkton Terriers and went on to win a league championship, break the SJHL shutout record, play for the All-Star Team and be named to the top 35 Terriers of all time. After finishing his last season of Junior, and considering many offers, he committed to attend SAIT in Calgary. As the season approached, he decided to reconsider his decision to pursue his new passion of teaching goaltenders under the tutelage of GDI’s Ian Clark – now the highly acclaimed goaltending coach for the Vancouver Canucks. For the past 6 years he has worked closely with Brady Robinson (Philadelphia Flyers Goaltending Development Coach) teaching goaltenders at all-levels throughout British Columbia, as well as internationally. He is currently the lead goaltending coach with the Victoria Royals (WHL), UBC men’s goaltending coach and owner/founder of The Goalie Group.
Kai McDonald
Goalie Coach
Kai began playing his minor hockey in Coquitlam, finding success in the BC High Performance Programs alongside the provinces top goaltenders. He went on to be recruited by the Penticton Vees, eventually playing his rookie season in the KIJHL and spending time with the Trail Smoke Eaters. In the following season he was recruited to play on the east coast with the Amherst Ramblers and Summerside Capitals. At 19, Kai shifted his athletic pursuits to lacrosse, winning a Junior A National Championship with the Coquitlam Adanacs before attending McGill University where he competed as a student-athlete. Through his experiences as a dual-sport athlete, it helped him understand what it takes to navigate the world of competitive sports. Kai currently works with Lynden as a goaltending consultant with the WHL’s Victoria Royals goaltending development team, and is the head goaltending coach for the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL.
Sonia Sahota
Principal, North Delta Secondary School
Vlad Nikic
Vice-Principal, North Delta Secondary School
Christine Niemar
Education Advisor, French & New Media Teacher
Jeanette Ostrom
Math & Science Teacher
Bill Richards
Vice-Principal, North Delta Secondary School
Elizabeth Yee
Physiotherapist
Elizabeth graduated from the University of the Fraser Valley with a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree in Exercise Science. She then worked in a rehabilitation setting before returning to school and completing her Master of Physical Therapy degree at the University of British Columbia. Elizabeth is passionate about continuing education, and has completed courses in the Mulligan concept, Kinetic Link Training and specialized courses on working with runners. She has completed the Dry Needling Program certificate through Acupuncture Canada. She also holds her Level 1 and Level 2 Lower Orthopaedic Manual Therapy certification, with plans to pursue further training in this area. Elizabeth utilizes exercise, manual therapy, and education to help patients reach their therapeutic goals. She has experience with athletic injuries, motor vehicle accidents, workplace injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, and neurological injuries. Elizabeth has experience as an athletic trainer, volunteering with the UFV varsity sports teams in the athletic clinic and on-field for a variety of different events. Elizabeth is focused on staying active herself, by running, spin and working out at the gym. She has run a number of half-marathons, and completed the BMO Vancouver Marathon in 2017.
Jasmine Mander
Physiotherapist
Alex Leroux
Physiotherapist
Alex completed his Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics from Saint Francis Xavier University, then flew halfway around the world to Australia pursuing his Doctor of Physiotherapy with High Distinction from Bond University. Growing up Alex was actively involved in a variety of sports eventually becoming a NCCP trained in competitive swimming. Prior to pursuing his physiotherapy degree, he worked as a Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Richmond Rapids. In the growing field of sports injuries, his curiosity was drawn to the management of concussions, in which he has experience working in neurorehabilitation. He has completed further education surrounding concussion management which he applies to treatment with each individual athlete. Alex has worked as a therapist with high performance athletes where he had the opportunity to complete an internship at Stanford University. There he was able to work alongside other NCAA medical staff with the Stanford football and rowing teams. This experience drove him towards continuing to work with athletes, engaging with them and assisting them to return to compete. Alex utilizes a client-centred approach, incorporating education, exercise prescription and sport-specific training with his treatments, pushing every athlete to reach their full potential.
Jeanelle Thomas
Kinesiologist
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Jeanelle received her Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from the University of British Columbia in 2024 and is currently in the Master of Kinesiology program at UBC, specializing in coaching sciences. As a former competitive swimmer and swim coach, Jeanelle has a passion for working with athletic populations and people who like to move! She has worked with various populations in both a rehabilitation and performance setting at the youth, varsity, and senior levels. Additionally, she is completing an internship with UBC's Varsity Sports performance program working with teams such as Basketball, Field Hockey, and Rugby. Jeanelle loves goal setting and helping individuals find their purpose to fuel their performance!
Sukhjit (SJ) Sanghera
Athletic Therapist
SJ graduated from Camosun College in 2020 with a Bachelor of Athletic & Exercise Therapy and brings over four years of hands-on experience working with athletes at various levels, from junior to elite and Olympic. She has had the privilege of working with teams such as BC Hockey’s U18 Women’s team, the Richmond Sockeyes, Field Hockey Canada, and the New Westminster Salmonbellies. Focusing on hockey, lacrosse, and field hockey athletes, SJ has a particular interest in treating hip, shoulder, and ankle injuries. She takes a personalized, evidence-based approach to rehabilitation and injury prevention, helping athletes recover and perform at their best. Whether guiding post-injury recovery or optimizing preventative care strategies, SJ is passionate about supporting athletes in returning to their sport stronger and more resilient.
Bree Gallagher
Tutor
Bree is a 3rd year UBC Student studying Bachelor of science in Food, Nutrition and Health. She has a strong understanding in Math & Science, specifically Human Anatomy and Physiology, Math, Biology, Chemistry, and English.