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Kimberley Dynamiters Coaching Staff
Derek played the majority of his Jr A hockey for the Dynamiters in the RMJHL from 1995-1998. From there he went on to play college hockey at Bemidji State University and Mount Royal College where he won a National Championship in 2001. Derek began coaching in 2004 in his hometown (Calgary, Alberta) where he coached all levels of Midget. This included 3 seasons as an associate coach with the Midget AAA Buffaloes of the AMHL. During this time Derek was a part of back-to-back league & regional Championships, a Mac’s Tournament Championship and a silver medal at the Telus Cup National Championship. In 2009 Derek moved on to coach Jr A in the AJHL where he spent five and half seasons as an assistant coach with the Okotoks Oilers and a season and a half as the head coach of the Calgary Mustangs. Derek is currently in his 13th season coaching junior hockey, his 7th as GM & HC of the Dynamiters. Away from the rink Derek enjoys golfing and exploring the many nature trails Kimberley has to offer with his wife Erin, daughters Blake and Rylee and son Burke
Born and raised in Kimberley, Jeff graduated from Kimberley Minor Hockey to play three seasons for the Jr A Dynamiters in the RMJHL and was team captain in 1998-99. He then went on to play college hockey at Michigan Tech University. This is Jeff’s 6th season as an assistant coach with the Dynamiters and has been a part of two KIJHL Championships in 2015 & 2018. Aside from helping the Dynamiters, Jeff is an avid woodsman, the french teacher at Selkirk High School and the head coach of the Kimberley Atom Rep team. Jeff lives in Marysville with his wife Anna and sons Linden & Georges.
Byron Garrels – Assistant Coach Byron began playing organized hockey in the Kimberley/Cranbrook minor hockey system before playing 2 seasons for the Dynamiters in the KIJHL. After Jr B Byron moved on to play 2 seasons of Jr A in the AJHL with Crowsnest Pass & Brooks before attending SAIT in Calgary. Byron is entering his 4th season as an assistant coach with the Dynamiters and can often be seen in his famous ‘K’ hoodie. Byron is also a Player/Coach for the Rocky Mountain Rouges Rugby Club and is employed at the Skookumchuck pulp mill where he is an Instrumentation Mechanic. Byron lives in Kimberley with his wife Megan and daughters Raphaella and Gia.
Jason grew up playing in the Kimberley Minor Hockey program, winning two provincial AA championships before moving on to play 4 years in the Western Hockey League. Jason played 11 seasons of professional hockey after being selected by the Hartford Whalers in the 1992 NHL draft. He played over 700 games professionally in the AHL, IHL, and Europe as well as 9 games in the NHL. This will be Jason’s first year coaching with the Dynamiters. Away from the rink, Jason is a professional engineer and is currently serving in his second term as a city councillor for the City Kimberley. Jason is a graduate of Portland State University with a Bachelor of Science in Geology and a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering. He lives in Kimberley with his wife, Wendy, and three of their children. He enjoys home improvement, language learning, and walking throughout Kimberley and along the nature trails.
Todd White – Assistant Coach Todd grew up in Kimberley where he played all of his minor hockey. He then graduated to play for the Dynamiters in the KIJHL before moving onto Jr A in Melville of the SJHL. Known amongst the players for his relentless stick, Todd is the longest serving coach on the Nitros staff. He also spent 10 years coaching in the Kimberley Minor Hockey system. Away from the rink Todd is employed as a Locomotive Engineer at Canadian Pacific Railway and resides in Kimberley with his wife Shannon and sons Tyler & Ryan.
Carson Loftsgard – Assistant Coach As a player, Carson played his minor and Jr A hockey in Saskatchewan. Highlites include a provincial championship in bantam, a Team Saskatchewan Canada Games gold medal in 1995 and a Royal Bank Cup silver medal with the Melfort Mustangs of the SJHL in 1996. In addition to his assistant coaching role with the Dynamiters, Carson spends a lot of time working on his putting. He also coaches Kimberley minor sports in all seasons and operates the Selkirk High School Sports program which offers elite hockey skill development and character education to athletes in grades 7-12. Carson lives in Marysville with his wife Kari and sons Ben & Eddie.
Tyson started his career with the Kimberley Dynamiters in 2013 winning a championship in 2015 after his overage year he attended the University of Jamestown where he started over 170 games holding both national and school records. Tyson signed his first professional contract in Sweden after graduation which led to 3 years of professional hockey with stops in Hockeyettan (SWE3) the SPHL and the ECHL. Tyson is in his first season as the goalie coach for the Dynamiters, he also works for Assertion Goaltending Consultants as a lead instructor in Alberta, and the EK Avalanche programs.
Neil Rye – Dressing Room Attendant Neil has been with the team since early 1990’s. Most recently he was acknowledged for your dedication with the 2021/2022 season Volunteer of the Year Award from the KIJHL.
Scotty McLellan Scotty helps out in the dressing room and gives speeches to motivate the team. |
Derek Stuart – Head Coach & General Manager
Jeff Keiver – Assistant Coach
Jason McBain – Assistant Coach
Tyson Brouwer – Goalie Coach
