OHA Coaches are committed to improving communication, collaboration and professional development opportunities among coaches of all OHA leagues.
✓ PD Webinars
✓ Mentorship & Leadership
✓ Drill exchanges
✓ Technology sharing
✓ Etc.
Brian Irwin, Sarnia Legionnaires
Connor Armour, Cobourg Cougars
Russell Sutton, Lucknow Lancers
Kory Green, North Middlesex Stars
James Thomson, Aurora Tigers
Michael McIlveen, Cambridge Redhawks
Louie Blackbird, Walpole Island Wild
OHA Staff Rep: Murray Nystrom, Technical Director [email protected]
January 13, 2025 | Daniel Fitzgerald
Dan Fitzgerald is currently head coach of the Brantford Titans of the GOJHL. An experienced and progressive coach, he joined the Titans from the Ontario Hockey League’s Guelph Storm, where he was fulfilling the role of assistant coach. Prior to his time with the Storm, Fitzgerald was Head Coach of the Niagara Ice Dogs. A longtime OHA participant, he began his junior coaching with the Dundas Blues of the PJHL before moving on to stops with the St. Catharines Jr. B Falcons and Brantford 99ers of the OJHL.
January 13, 2025 | Marco Mattina
Marco Mattina is in his 4th season on the coaching staff of the Dundas Blues, fulfilling the assistant coach position his first two years. He was then promoted to Associate Coach and has helped the Blues post a record of 50-17-2 since. The Blues staff has earned League Coaching Staff of the Year Award. A former OJHL and GOJHL defenceman, Mattina has been involved in player development for over 10 years. He is likely to climb the junior coaching ranks, fostering a “player first” environment where athletes can achieve their goals, on and off the ice.
December 9th, 2024 | Brad Flynn
Brad Flynn is a highly experienced junior hockey and development coach. He has coached in all 3 major junior leagues across Canada. A second-generation coach, Brad combines a deep understanding of the game and a passion for cultivating talent at all levels. Currently an assistant coach with the Kitchener Rangers, he brings expertise in strategy, player growth and team success. He operates East Coast Development in the Hamilton/Brantford area. Brad specializes in the science of scoring and defense development, helping to elevate players’ skills.
December 9th, 2024 | Dale Mitchell
Currently the head coach of the Leamington Flyers of the OJHL. Dale has held his Head Coach position for the last four years, winning the Sutherland Cup 2023, before the franchise transitioned to the OJHL. Moved into coaching after a stellar 11-year professional career split between North America and Europe. Selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Dale played major junior for Oshawa and Windsor, winning Memorial Cups with both teams. Year after year, the rosters of Dale’s teams turn over, yet the team’s performance continues to evolve positively from training camp to playoffs. He will share some of his perspectives on how that is pursued.
November 18, 2023 | Wes Wolfe, Assistant Coach Erie Otters (OHL)
Wes Wolfe shares an engaging presentation that offers ideas and insight for developing the key skills required of players who participate in special team situations. Wes’s strong relationship with the OHA stems from time with the Niagara River Hawks, head coach and assistant GM with the St. Catharines Falcons, and as general manager and head coach of the Cobourg Cougars. Wes has developed into a premiere development coach emphasizing a positive learning culture, supportive analytics and a player management approach that is athlete centred.
November 18, 2023 | David Matsos, Head Coach St. Thomas Stars (GOJHL)
Currently the head coach of the St. Thomas Stars, David has an extensive coaching history including 11 years in the Ontario Hockey League, where he spent 4 seasons as the Head Coach of the Sudbury Wolves and Hamilton Bulldogs as well as 7 seasons as an Assistant/Associate Coach between Windsor and Hamilton. David has spent the two most recent seasons with the London Nationals in the GOJHL. He spent 5 years coaching professionally in Europe and has also represented Canada as an Assistant Coach in both the u17 tournament and the Canada-Russia series.
David was the Head Coach for the winning GOJHL u18 team at the prestigious 2023 MacPherson tournament.
