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Staff

GM & HEAD COACH - JUSTIN FALK

Justin joined the Flyers as GM & Assistant Coach in 2021 after an eleven year professional hockey career. A former MJHL alumni, the Snowflake, MB product spent one season for the Swan Valley Stampeders before moving on to the Western Hockey League and capturing the WHL “Ed Chynoweth” Cup and Memorial Cup with the Spokane Chiefs in 2008, while being named to the Tournament All-Star Team.

Drafted in the 4th Round, 110th Overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft to the Minnesota Wild, Justin went on to accumulate 279 career NHL games over spans of 10 seasons. A Stanley Cup finalist in 2014 with the New York Rangers, Falk also went on to win the Calder Cup of the American Hockey League with the Lake Erie Monsters in 2016, under current Colorado Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar. Justin resides in Winkler where he, his wife and 3 kids call home.

ASST GM & ASST 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.

 

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.

DIRECTOR OF PLAYER PERSONNEL - JOE FTOMA

Joe  joined the Flyers as a scout in 2021, and was named Director of Player Personnel in 2023. The Winnipeg, Manitoba product graduated from Morrisville State and went on to play a season in Sweden(Div 2) as well as played FHL and SPHL. After Morrisville he continued with the game to build his knowledge and contacts.

Joe has been a scout for the Flyers since 2021, and has been the Director of Player Personal for Evolution Hockey for the last two years. With Evolution he focused on their mentorship program where they manage elite hockey players, primarily focusing on development and pathways. He is also a scout for the Chicago Steel of the USHL.

Joe is excited to be able to work in junior hockey helping develop young talented hockey players.

DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT - 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.

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 - APRIL MICKELSON

April joined the Flyers’ Staff in Spring of 2021 as Billet Coordinator.  April and her spouse, Dave Neubuhr -a Director on the Flyers board; have been billeting Winkler Flyers players since 2016 and volunteering during game days since 2014.   April looks forward to the excitement of each new season and works diligently to pair and place players with Pembina Valley families that will provide a safe and supportive environment for our players far from home.

April’s interests are continuously evolving but include music, yoga, any activity that involves water (swimming, paddle boarding, aquacize…) and using laughter as medicine.  April has resided in Winkler MB since 2010 and has been dedicated to her career as an Occupational Therapist since 2008.

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING - TYLER HILDEBRAND

Tyler joined the Flyers staff in the spring of 2021. Prior to being named the teams Director of Marketing & Game Day Operations he spent the better part of 15 years working at Golden West in Winkler as an on air host, sales consultant, morning show host and most recently Program Director.

In his career at Golden West Tyler 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 community has helped create a renewed sense of excitement around the Winkler Flyers.

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 - BRODY GIESBRECHT

Brody joined the Flyers staff in 2020 as a game day staff and has been around the team much longer than that! Brody spends a large portion of his time at the rink, as he is a referee and a minor hockey coach. Brody also coaches minor baseball in the summer months.

In his many roles, Brody has made an impact on youth in our community, as well as the sports of hockey and baseball, where he dedicates his time and effort to giving back with his knowledge. The Flyers are happy to have Brody as a statistician, for game day operations and an all around great guy.

TEAM PHOTOGRAPHER - RYAN SAWATZKY

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
JUSTIN FALK GM & HEAD COACH
RYAN WHITE ASSISTANT COACH
JOE FTOMA DIRECTOR OF PLAYER PERSONNEL
ASHLEY WALL HEAD TRAINER
CHRISTY COUSINS ASSISTANT TRAINER
TYLER HILDEBRAND DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
BLAKE FORSYTH SCOUT
CEDRIC CHENIER SCOUT
TREVOR STOKES SCOUT
KYLE HAMPTON SCOUT
RYAN SAWATZKY TEAM PHOTOGRAPHER
MATT GIESBRECHT - PEMBINA VALLEY PHYSIOTHERAPY TEAM PHYSIOTHERAPIST
CHRIS BRUHN - RISE ATHLETICS STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH
DR. SHERWIN GACUTAN TEAM DOCTOR
DR. ERIN GORDEY TEAM PHYSICIAN
WINKLER DENTAL CLINIC TEAM DENTAL OFFICE
DR. RICK CORBETT TEAM CHIROPRACTOR
DR. ANDREW AIKEN CLARITY VISION CENTRE - TEAM OPTOMETRIST
SARAH JOY DERKSEN - KNEADED TREATMENT TEAM MASSAGE THERAPIST
APRIL MICKELSON BILLET CO-ORDINATOR

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
ANDREW FROESE DIRECTOR
STEVE DOELL DIRECTOR
RYAN KEHLER DIRECTOR