GM & HEAD COACH - MATT MELO
Beyond the rink, Matt has extensive experience supporting individuals in long-term care and rehabilitation. His holistic approach ensures that players develop as athletes, leaders, and men of character.
ASST GM & ASSOCIATE COACH - COLTYN BATES
Coltyn joined the Flyers as Assistant GM & Assistant Coach in 2022. The Brandon, Manitoba product played 3 full seasons with the Orange and Black, scoring 47 goals and 98 assists for 145 points in 169 games played. He went on to receive a scholarship to University of Wisconsin Superior (NCAA Div III) where in four seasons he played in 88 games scoring 47 points in that time.
Coltyn is hungry to learn and grow back in Winkler, a place he has many fond memories with. He will aide in the administrative and management duties of the hockey club.
DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT & ASSISTANT COACH - ERIC FEHR
Eric joined the Flyers staff in the summer of 2022. Fresh off a 17 year professional playing career, the Calder Cup, Spengler Cup and Stanley Cup Champion brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Flyers players and prospects.
Through the various developmental opportunities like video review, skill development and performance discussion, Fehr will aid in the on ice and off ice development of Flyers players and prospects.
The Flyers are lucky to have such a talented and experienced individual that is also a Winkler native on our staff. We are excited to have him help develop the young men that wear, and will wear orange and black.
ASSISTANT COACH - RYAN WHITE
Ryan White joined the Winkler Flyers coaching staff in the summer of 2021. The Brandon, Manitoba product who played 4 seasons with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen, was a 3rd round, 66th overall draft pick to the Montreal Canadiens and went on to enjoy a 13 year professional playing career. With respective stops in the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, Arizona Coyotes and Minnesota Wild organizations, White went on to amass 313 NHL games.
“Adding someone to our staff of Ryan’s playing experience and character, to say is exciting is a massive understatement. The exact definition of heart, passion, will and leadership as a player, I look forward to seeing him utilize those characteristics as he inputs them into coaching, leading, and teaching within our group. When speaking on behalf of our organization, City of Winkler, and the Pembina Valley, we are fortunate to have him and extend a warm welcome to Ryan and his family.” said General Manager, Justin Falk.
SKILLS COACH - ANDREW CLARK
Andrew Clarke joined the Flyers staff in the summer of 2021 as a Skills coach. With an extensive hockey background, including winning a AAA U18 National Championship as a 15 year old, scoring 46 points as a 16 year old with Neepawa in the MJHL and being named to the All Rookie team. Andrew also played 4 full seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL, amassing 216 points, and hitting the 40 goal mark as a 20 year old. After the WHL he went on to play 4 seasons at Acadia University where he posted 131 points and being named Player of the Year in the CIS as well as Most Valuable Player in the Atlantic Division, first team All-Star in both the Atlantic Conference and CIS in 2011-12.
After this he went to play 9 Pro hockey seasons in the AHL, ECHL, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland and Germany. He lead the Danish League in scoring in 2014-15 and had the most assists in the EBEL(Austrian League) in 2018-19. He brings with him a wealth of experience and is extremely talented at passing that experience and knowledge on to Junior aged hockey players.
TRAINER - ASHLEY WALL
Ashley joined the flyers as the assistant trainer in the fall of 2019. In the spring of 2021 she came on board as head trainer and equipment manager. When she’s not helping the boys stay healthy, she works as an ER ICU Ward Clerk at the Boundary Trails Health Center where she’s been for the last 16 years. She is also a volunteer fire fighter in Plum Coulee, for almost 10 years.
When she’s not working, or at the rink she likes to spend time with her husband and three boys outdoors, camping and just hanging out! Ashley’s expertise in health care has come in handy more times than we can count. Not only that, but she is also the mom for our players away from mom. We appreciate everything you do for us Ashley!
TRAINER - CHRISTY COUSINS
Christy joined the flyers in the spring of 2021, prior to the flyers she spent time with the Morden high school hockey team and the Pembina Valley Hawks. She brings 17 years of nursing experience to the team. Currently she works as an ER Nurse at the Boundary Trails Health Centre.
When she’s not working, or at the arena she likes to spend time with her niece and nephew, by going camping or playing sports with them! Christy’s passion for sports and competitiveness adds an edge to the boys game. She is also top notch at helping make sure our players are healthy and feeling good when they hit the ice.
BILLET COORDINATOR - KIM THIESSEN
Bio coming soon...
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING - SHANE NEUFELD
Shane joined the Flyers staff in the summer of 2024. Prior to being named the teams Director of Marketing & Game Day Operations he spent years at Maverick Industries and Explore Morden/Winkler
In his career Shane has been able to connect with many community minded businesses and organizations and has used those relationships to build a strong brand in our community. His passion for the Flyers and hockey will carry positive energy and enthusiasm into the community of Winkler and surrounding area.
DIRECTOR OF MEDIA - RYAN SAWATZKY
Bio Coming Soon...
COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR - BRITTNEY FROESE
Brittney joined the Flyers staff in the spring of 2021, however she has been involved in billeting for the Flyers for the last 8 seasons. Her husband Andrew is a board member and their two kids Mason and Lachlan both play hockey with Winkler Minor Hockey.
When she's not spending most of her time at the rink following her boys, she works as a surgical/obstetrical nurse at the Boundary Trails Hospital and has done so for the last 11 years. She also enjoys travelling, camping and staying active. We're so happy to have someone this passionate about hockey and the community helping us coordinate our community events!
STATISTICIAN & GAME DAY OPERATIONS
TEAM PHYSIOTHERAPIST - MATT GIESBRECHT
If you have spent some time with Matt, you know that he loves all things sports. This is evident in his passion in giving back to the community whether coaching baseball and hockey or volunteering in the capacity as a physiotherapist at sporting events in our area. It should not surprise anyone that one of his most enjoyable places to visit is Target Field! As a physiotherapist, Matt values the relationships he develops with the patients in the clinic and finds reward in helping them find solutions to the physical challenges they encounter.
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH - CHRIS BRUHN
STAFF
NAME | POSITION |
---|---|
MATTHEW MELO | GM & HEAD COACH |
COLTYN BATES | ASSISTANT GM & ASSOCIATE COACH |
ERIC FEHR | DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT & ASSISTANT COACH |
RYAN WHITE | ASSISTANT COACH |
ASHLEY WALL | HEAD TRAINER |
CHRISTY COUSINS | ASSISTANT TRAINER |
SHANE NEUFELD | DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & GAME DAY OPERATIONS |
BLAKE FORSYTH | SCOUT |
TREVOR STOKES | SCOUT |
RYAN SAWATZKY | DIRECTOR OF MEDIA |
MATT GIESBRECHT - PEMBINA VALLEY PHYSIOTHERAPY | TEAM PHYSIOTHERAPIST |
CHRIS BRUHN - RISE ATHLETICS | STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH |
DR. SHERWIN GACUTAN | TEAM DOCTOR |
WINKLER DENTAL CLINIC | TEAM DENTAL OFFICE |
SARAH JOY DERKSEN - KNEADED TREATMENT | TEAM MASSAGE THERAPIST |
KIM THIESSEN | BILLET CO-ORDINATOR |
RICK CORBETT - WINKLER CHIROPRACTIC | CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NAME | POSITION |
---|---|
CALEB SUDERMAN | PRESIDENT & ALT MJHL GOVERNER |
MARLIN FROESE | VICE - PRESIDENT |
CAM WIEBE | TREASURER |
DUSTIN BROWN | SECRETARY |
MATT BESTLAND | MJHL GOVERNER & DIRECTOR |
KEVIN BRAUN | DIRECTOR |
DAVE NEUBUHR | DIRECTOR |
MIKE ST. CROIX | DIRECTOR |
STEVE DOELL | DIRECTOR |