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Coaching Staff

Coaching Staff

Ryan Donald Head Coach and General Manager
Ryan is the club’s first-ever head coach and general manager for the team’s inaugural season of 2020-2021. Donald spent 5 seasons at Yale University as an Assistant Coach before joining the Bucks in 2020. Donald also has had coaching stints in both Trail and Woodstock.  Ryan played 2 years of junior A hockey himself and then went on to play for Yale University for 4 years, winning an ECAC championship along the way. He then played 3 years of professional hockey including a Kelly Cup championship with the Florida Everblades in 2012. Ryan and his wife Carly, have 2 daughters Georgia and Patricia.

 

Myles Fitzgerald Assistant Coach
Myles joins the Bucks for the 2021-2022 season as a coach with ample playing experience. Myles played over 200 BCHL Games collecting over 200 points. The Port Alberni, BC native also played 4 years of NCAA Div 1 Hockey at Bemidji State University before turning pro.

 

Roman Vopat Assistant Coach
Roman joins the Bucks coaching staff with lots of experience both in coaching and as a player. Roman played over 100 NHL games and has also served as an assistant in the WHL for 5 years.

 

Mike Nelson Trainer and Equipment Manager
Mike was added to the Bucks staff in August of 2020. Mike, who was born and raised in Cranbrook, has 5 years of experience as an assistant equipment manager and played Junior “B” hockey himself. Mike attended school for Kinesiology at both College of the Rockies and the University of Lethbridge. Mike lives in Cranbrook with his 2 boys, Blake and Christopher.

 

 

 


Nathan Lieuwen Goalie Coach
Nathan played professional hockey for 5 years from 2012-2017, including playing in the NHL for the Buffalo Sabres. He also played 5 years for the Kootenay Ice of the WHL, winning the Ed Chynoweth Cup and Playoff MVP in 2010-2011. He also runs a goalie coaching company Kootenay Goaltending.

After retiring due to injuries, Nathan now lives in Cranbrook, BC with his wife Breanne and their son Wesley and daughtersOaklynn and Scottie.