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Darren Yopyk - Head Coach / General Manager
Darren was born and raised in St. Paul, Alberta, where he played in the AJHL before receiving a scholarship to the prestigious Princeton University. While at Princeton, Yopyk was a starter for the four years he played for the university. By the time he was a senior, he was made captain of the team, was a First Team All-Ivy League performer and was a four-year member of both the ECAC and Ivy League All-Academic Teams. He helped lead Princeton to its first ECAC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 1998. As a senior, he earned the Blackwell Trophy as the team’s MVP and the 1941 Championship Trophy, which is awarded annually to the varsity player who best reflected the winning spirit of the 1941 championship team.
Once he left Princeton, Yopyk served as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Massachusetts Amherst for two seasons, from 2000-2002. During his tenure with the Minutemen, Yopyk assisted with on-campus recruiting and co-ordinated the digital video analysis.
While he was at UMass Amherst, Yopyk earned a Master’s Degree in Psychology and received his Ph.D. in Psychology with an emphasis on student-athlete academic performance in May 2006.
Darren spent the past four years on the coaching staff at Merrimack College. He was promoted to associate head coach before the 2008-09 season, where he worked primarily with the defenseman and penalty killing unit and served as the schools' top recruiter in the northwest and Canada. He also ran the team hockey mentorship program, served as an academic advisor for the Warrior’s hockey players, and coordinated and broke down game video.
Currently there are 10 players from the AJHL and BCHL attending Merrimack with 2 players taken in the 2009 NHL entry draft. Darren has established great contacts in Western Canada and is a recruiter who can sell a program to young players and their families. Darren is regarded as a tireless and dedicated worker who is focused on teaching, hard work, commitment and effort.
Brent Gough - Assistant Coach
Brent is the Warriors Full Time Assistant Coach entering his first year with the team. Gough played for the Saint Albert Saints (AJHL) from 2000-2002 before gaining a scholarship to play NCAA hockey at Merrimack. Brent led Merrimack in scoring during his freshman and sophomore years. He was later named the team’s alternate captain and voted to the All-Decade Team. He graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Organizational Behavior from Merrimack.
Brent has spent the last four seasons playing for the Peterborough Phantoms in Great Britain and is the All-Time Points leader. He also led a program introducing young kids to skating.
Brent and his wife, Carly, reside in West Kelowna and look forward to becoming involved with the community.
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Larry Robinson - Assistant Coach
Larry has been a fixture in the Okanagan Valley for many years, providing coaching and instruction to all level of hockey, specializing in goaltenders. He joined the Warriors in their inaugural season, leaving his position with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks to work in his home town. He also provides consulting services to the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL, Okanagan Hockey School, SD 23 Hockey Canada Skills Academy and local associations in BC.
Larry is the owner and operator of Five Hole Goaltending, a full-service goaltending instructional program. Five Hole Goaltending’s mission is to provide the best programs, staff, and equipment to fully meet the various educational and fitness needs of goalies. Besides providing excellent value to the players, Five Hole Goaltending is determined to create an unmatched sporting atmosphere that will add to the enjoyment of every player.
Larry has great insights to the BCHL and has been instrumental in providing leadership and scouting to teams and players as well as being active in the recruitment of players. He is active in the teaching of the game and has a passion for moving kids on to the next level.
Larry resides in Kelowna with his wife and children.
Greg Lynott - Assistant Coach
Greg played 7 yers of pro hockey in the AHL and the IHL as well as signing as a free agent with the Montreal Canadians. During his coaching career, Greg has coached Junior A hockey in the BCHL and has over 10 years in the minor hockey system with rep teams.
MEDICAL STAFF:
Dr. Sorestad - Chief Physicians
Dr. Belke- Dentist
Pinnacle Physiotherapy - Jenn - Physiotherapists
Westbank Chiropractic - Dr. Kellerman - Chiropractors
EDUCATION ADVISOR:
Robert Shortreed - Mt. Boucherie High School
