Junior Tigers registration is now LIVE for the 2023/24 season for all returning Junior Tigers players!
General registration will OPEN on May 15 for the 2023/24 season. Early bird pricing expires Jul 1 2023.
We thank you for your continued support of the Junior Tigers and we look forward to an exceptional 2023-2024 season.

Instructors

FORMER NHL PLAYER / NHL ALUMNI CAMPS & CLINICS OWNER & HEAD INSTRUCTOR - AHL HALL OF FAME

BRAD SMYTH

Owner and Head Instructor of NHL Alumni Camps and Clinics, Brad Smyth has played 20 professional seasons, six of which were in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators, N.Y. Rangers, Nashville Predators, Los Angeles Kings and Florida Panthers. A product of the Nepean Minor Hockey Association, Brad has also competed in the AHL, Division 1 Europe and worked as General Manager and Coach at the professional level with the Denver Cutthroats of the CHL.

Brad was inducted into the American Hockey League (AHL) in 2019. Ranking 12th in league history with 326 career goals, Smyth registered 667 points in 610 regular-season games over his AHL career. He is one of six AHL players ever to hit the 50-goal mark twice and one of seven players ever to lead the league in goals on two separate occasions, and is also ranked sixth all-time with 46 career postseason goals.

Coaches are critical to ice hockey at every level. An experienced, enthusiastic, well-trained coach can be a positive influence on the experience of players, parents and other coaches.

Brad as a Hockey Canada licensed skill development instructor will train and certify GBIHA hockey coaches so they have all the tools they need to help players develop. The GBIHA will work with its members and local ice hockey groups to provide effective education, coaching and certification for hockey coaches in the Greater Bay.

Head Coach

BEN MACASKILL

Ben MacAskill, has played at the highest level of Major Junior hockey in Canada with the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Ben was drafted in the 1st round and after 4 years in ‘the Q’, he completed his Bachelor and Masters Degrees at Dalhousie University while playing for the school’s hockey team for 5 years. Ben also played for Team Atlantic in the World U17 tournament, as well as attended camp for Team Canada U18 and invited to a pro camp with the Montreal Canadians East Coast League affiliate. Ben has extensive coaching background running summer and weekend camps for all age groups with both the Halifax Mooseheads and Dalhousie University, as well as coaching Elite Spring Hockey with Peewee (11-12) and Bantam age groups (13-14) in tournament play, before coming to Hong Kong and joining the Junior Tigers. Bens’ prowess on the ice and in the classroom along with his years of coaching experience are important parts of our programs.

COACHES

Experienced coaches from Canada, the United States and Hong Kong lead, manage and oversee the development of the Junior Tigers programs and its players. With over 15 years of playing experience each, our Senior Coaches bring a high level of hockey specific experience and training expertise, both on and off ice. Senior Coaches work closely with parents and players creating a fun and friendly environment where everyone is constantly learning and improving.

Whitney Olsen

Whitney Olsen played at the highest level of collegiate hockey in the United States, graduating cum laude from American International College (NCAA Division I) after a four-year playing career with a double major in Marketing & Management. American International College (AIC) plays in the Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA), competing against the likes of perennial Division I hockey powers including Air Force Academy, Army at West Point, College of the Holy Cross, Mercyhurst University. Non-conference opponents during his career at AIC included trips to Michigan University, Minnesota State at Mankato, and an annual home-and-home series with 2014 Frozen Four National Champions Union College.

Hailing from Eagan, Minnesota, Whitney was a four-year varsity letter winner in prep hockey while playing in the top division of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHL Class AA). His varsity program made an appearance at the famed Minnesota State High School Tournament at the Xcel Energy Center, and Whitney captained his squad while earning All-Conference and All-State Honorable Mention accolades as a Senior. After his prep career, Whitney played his Junior Hockey in the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL) with the New England Huskies before signing on to an NCAA division I program. Whitney brings an extensive coaching background to the Junior Tigers, with previous on-ice and off-ice dryland experience with the Minnesota Satellite Training Program (STP).

David Belluche

David Belluche joined the Junior Tigers coaching team in 2018 when he moved to Hong Kong as part of the CHG Intern Program. David played NCAA Division III hockey at Middlebury College for four years. Prior to that, the Andover, Massachusetts native played hockey at Phillips Academy Andover.

In Hong Kong, David was drafted by the Kowloon Warriors. David’s coaching experience includes coaching with Andover Youth Hockey as well with the Middlebury College Youth Hockey program and its associated High School and College Development Camps.

Jesse Lussier

Jesse Lussier is part of the 2020-2021 China Hockey Group (CHG) intern program. Jesse recently graduated from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada where he was an assistant captain for the men’s varsity hockey team for the past three years. Prior to joining the Dalhousie Tigers, Jesse played for the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

While at Dalhousie, Jesse was recognized as an Academic All-Canadian in 2019 and 2020 and from 2016-2019 was awarded the Varsity Hockey Athletic Award.

Jesse’s coaching experience includes volunteering with Nova Scotia Minor Hockey, while he has also interned in the front office of the Halifax Mooseheads.

Jesse joins Gary Lawrence and Excelsior Capital Asia as a Private Equity analyst. He will be in a research and evaluation role assisting mostly the Vietnam team to find potential investments. He will also be assisting in the raising of additional capital to the firm. Jesse will also play in the CIHL.

Connor Quinn

Connor Quinn, a native of Sudbury, Massachusetts, graduated from Bowdoin College in 2015 after a distinguished four-year NCAA playing career. Connor registered 69 total points throughout his collegiate tenure, while leading his team in goals as a senior. As a junior, he was named to the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) All-Conference Team.

Prior to attending Bowdoin, Connor attended the Pomfret School in Connecticut, where he led his team in points as a senior while playing in the United States High School – Preparatory league. Connor averaged over a point per game throughout his prep career.

Connor currently plays for the Kowloon Warriors in the CIHL, and brings his extensive playing and coaching background to the Junior Tigers organization.

Francois Esterhuizen

Francois Esterhuizen joins the Junior Tigers as a senior coach. Francois will also play a leading role in the Junior Tigers back office, working in administration, sales and marketing as the club continues its expansion.

Francois began playing hockey in his native South Africa and has represented South Africa at the U12, U15, U18 and U20 levels in numerous IIHF competitions in both Division II and Division III. His final tour was in Armenia as part of the men’s senior national team and he was awarded MVP while part of a U20 tour to Luxembourg. He is an experienced coach, having worked with teams in Durban to help grow and develop the sport.

Now based in Hong Kong, Francois plays hockey in local leagues. In addition to his hockey and coaching experience, he brings administration and management expertise to the Junior Tigers.

Devin Welsh

Senior coach Devin Welsh has been part of the Junior Tigers coaching team since the club's inaugural 2015-2016 season. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Devin moved to Hong Kong in 2012 to join the CHG Intern Program and play in the CIHL, where he continues to play with the Kowloon Warriors.

Devin played Canadian Interuniversity Sport (now USport) varsity hockey for five years at Lakehead University. He has also played Major Junior hockey in Canada, including with the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League.

Devin is the co-founder and director of Core Media, a digital marketing business.

Liam Moorfield-Yee

Liam Moorfield-Yee is the Junior Tigers’ senior goaltending coach. Liam joined the CHG Intern Program for the 2016-2017 season after graduating from Middlebury College, where he played NCAA Division III varsity hockey for four years.

Originally from Toronto, Liam has coaching experience with the Scarborough Bruins youth hockey, the Toronto Aces youth hockey and Middlebury Tigers youth hockey clubs. In the CIHL, Liam plays with the Macau Aces.

Jonathan Szychta

Jonathan Szychta, a three time CIHL Champion and 2017 Playoff MVP, joins the Jr. Tigers coaching staff as a Senior Coach. Jonathan, originally from Brantford, Ontario, grew up playing his minor hockey with the Brantford 99ers under the guidance of Walter Gretzky.

Jon started his junior career with the Brantford Jr B Golden Eagles before moving on to play with the Paris Mounties of the Niagara Jr. C League. He played his way onto the Niagara West Jr. C All Star Team, before joining the Simcoe Storm at the trade deadline in his final year, helping the team win the conference championship and finishing 4th in Ontario.

Currently, Jon is an international school teacher and commissioner of the ISSFHK Ball Hockey League.

Ophelia Kwok

Ophelia Kwok is a current member of the Hong Kong Women’s National Ice Hockey Team. Since 2013, Ophelia has represented Hong Kong in a number of IIHF tournaments, including the IIHF Women’s Challenge Cup of Asia and the IIHF Women’s World Championship Division IIB and Division III.

Ophelia is also a committee member with the Hong Kong’s Women’s Ice Hockey Organisation and has coaching experience as a skating coach and program coordinator with the Hong Kong Typhoons and has organized hockey training with the Hong Kong Amateur Hockey Club in association with the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS

JASON FORTIER

Jason Fortier is the General Manager and the Head Coach of the Odessa Jackalopes in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). He is the director at Future Pros Hockey, where he works to improve players’ daily habits on and off the ice, leading to player success.

Jason is the former Head Coach and General Manager of the Coquitlam Express, a Junior A team in the British Columbia Hockey League. His experience also includes coaching major junior ice hockey with the Kitchener Rangers (part of the Ontario Hockey League) and with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he helped guide the team to a QMJHL President Cup.

Jason was also the head coach of the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots of the Ontario Junior Hockey League leading them to back-to-back OJHL championships in 2013-14 and 2014-15. Jason began his coaching career with the Vaughan Vipers in the OJHL during the 2008-2009 season.

Originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Jason has played professional hockey in the Netherlands with Eindhoven Kemphanen, in the German Tier II league with Bad Reichenhall EHC and in the USA with the Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League in 1998-99. He also spent a year in the CIS where he suited up for Sault College.

SIMON FERGUSON

Hockey player and the current head coach for the West Kelowna Warriors in the BCHL.

Simon’s playing career includes an exhibition game with the Anaheim Ducks in the NHL and six seasons in the AHL. Simon played 13 years of professional hockey, including Major Junior hockey in Canada in the WHL, where he was part of the Memorial Cup-winning Kelowna Rockets in 2003-2004. He has also played in the ECHL and the AHL, where he was part of the Calder Cup championship winning Hershey Bears.

Simon retired from professional hockey in 2013 and began his coaching career with the Okanagan Rockets. He has also coached at Banff Academy before joining the West Kelowna Warriors.

DAVE LEGER

Dave Leger is the head coach of the Kanata Lasers Junior A CCHL1 Hockey Club. Dave has coached and led hockey programs for more than 20 years. Prior to joining the Lasers, Dave led the Polish U20 team to a silver medal and the Polish U18 team to a bronze medal in the teams’ respective IIHF competitions.

Originally from Ottawa, Ontario, Dave was part of the coaching team of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees for 11 seasons, including eight as the head coach. Dave has coached professionally overseas, including in Japan with the Tohoku Free Blades. Following a season with the Ottawa 67s in the OHL in Canadian Major Junior hockey, Dave returned to Japan where he helped coach the Nippon Paper Cranes to the Asia League championship. He has also coached the Hungary U20 team and in the ECHL.

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COACHES ANSWERS

Let your little ones discover the joy of hockey! Led by energetic and friendly coaches, this course offers a wide range of drills to aid motor development and co-ordination. This is a great foundation for future sporting success and a whole load of fun!