U17 AAA

Trevor Sprague will oversee both the Integrated and Female U18 AAA teams in Northern B.C. Sprague has been involved in hockey in the north for over 30 years and has spent the last 15 years working with teams in the BCEHL. He is entering his eighth season as the general manager of the Cariboo Cougars and fourth as the general manager of the Northern Capitals. Sprague coached in Prince George for over 20 years before moving to the management side of the game.   

During his coaching and management career Sprague has won two provincial titles with the Cariboo Cougars’ U18 AAA team. Sprague is also a key driver behind the annual BC Hockey Winter Classic event that is held in Northern B.C. each winter.

In his first season in the BCEHL, Jason Garneau assumes head coaching duties with the U17 Cariboo Cougars. Garneau brings an extensive background to the Cougars, with over 30 years coaching at the junior hockey and minor hockey level.

 

Garneau is originally from Prince George and played his minor hockey with Prince George Minor Hockey Association.

Troy Stordy is entering his second season in the BCEHL and will take the general manager reins for the Thunderbirds' program after he split the duties last season. Stordy has served as the vice president of Mission Minor Hockey Association since 2010, while also serving as the development director and a coach in the association since joining MMHA in 2010.

Stordy, who currently lives in Mission, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Simon Fraser University. Away from the rink Stordy currently works as a correctional program officer.

After spending the 2022-23 season as assistant coach with the U17 Thunderbirds, Steven Maisey steps into the head coaching role for the 2023-24 season. Maisey has coached at the minor hockey ranks for 10 years, with time spent at North Delta MHA and Vancouver Thunderbirds MHA.

Maisey grew up in North Delta and played his minor hockey with North Delta MHA. Maisey possesses a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and a diploma in Recreation Management from Langara College. Away from hockey, Maisey works in baseball for the Vancouver Canadians.

Alain Wozney will oversee both the Greater Vancouver Canadians and the Fraser Valley Rush teams this season. Wozney is entering his 11th season working in the BCEHL and his 10th with the Fraser Valley Rush program, serving as the program’s general manager since the 2014-15 season. He will also take on the role of general manager with the Greater Vancouver Canadians program for his third season. He last oversaw the Canadians in this role during the 2013-14 season. Wozney has over 40 years of experience working and playing in the minor hockey system in B.C.  

Wozney played his minor hockey with Burnaby Winter Club before progressing to Junior A and playing with the Burnaby Bluehawks. He then attended the Memorial University of Newfoundland, studying Psychology and Humanities. He is now self-employed and works in hockey management.

Steve Smith is embarking on his second season as a general manager in the BCEHL. Smith also serves as the Executive Director of Kelowna Minor Hockey Association, a role he has held since 2017. Prior to this he was the Division Director for Kelowna Minor Hockey Association from 2010-17, and a coach in the association from 2008-17 as well.  

The Kelowna native has compiled over 17 years of experience working in minor hockey in Kelowna.

After serving as a key volunteer with the Thompson Blazers program during the 2022-23 season, Geoff Fuoco assumes the position of general manager for the program for the 2023-24 season. With over 14 years of experience in hockey, Fuoco has held coaching positions at the minor hockey level with Sicamous Minor Hockey Association and Salmon Arm Minor Hockey Association. He also coached at the junior level with the Sicamous Eagles of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL).

Originally from Revelstoke, Fuoco currently resides in Kamloops, and serves as the arena manager for the Sicamous & District Recreation Centre. Fuoco has ran skills programs in Sicamous, Vernon and Kamloops over the past 12 years, and is a huge believer in skill development.

Mark Chase is in his first season with the U17 AAA Thompson Blazers, and his 18th year coaching overall. He is currently in the final stages of completing his master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and his goal is to balance coaching with his future development of a mental health practice designed to focus on working with athletes involved in sports.

Chase was born and raised in Kamloops, B.C. He is looking forward to sharing his knowledge and experience with his team while concurrently learning other staff members and players. He believes that participating in coaching creates opportunities to network with like-minded individuals and allows them to collaborate with each other.

Jamie Fiset is entering his sixth year in the BCEHL as general manager with the Valley West Giants and brings an additional eight years of experience working in minor hockey previously. He has been involved with BC Hockey’s Program of Excellence including as the head coach of Team BC at the 2016 WHL Cup.  

Fiset was a board member with Langley Minor Hockey Association from 2010-14. Away from the rink Fiset is a teacher, he completed his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education at the University of British Columbia before earning his Master of Arts at Royal Roads University. 

Lance Vaillancourt is entering his second season as a general manager in the BCEHL. Previously, Vaillancourt was the associate coach & hockey operations manager for the South Zone Knights U18 Tier 1 team. He has also performed various coaching roles with Penticton Minor Hockey at all levels within the association. Vaillancourt brings over 35 years of experience within minor hockey to the Royals.  

In addition to his work within minor hockey in B.C., Vaillancourt was also a linesman within BC Hockey and worked as a linesman in the BCHL. Away from the rink he works as a civil servant with the Federal Government.

James Wall is set to lead the Vancouver North West Hawks as general manager in his inaugural BCEHL season. With 15 years in minor hockey, Wall's background includes a decade coaching and eight years as director of hockey with West Vancouver Minor Hockey Association, and four years as director of hockey operations for North Vancouver Minor Hockey Association

Originally from Maple Ridge, Wall played minor hockey with Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association and graduated from the University of Windsor with a BFA honours degree. Wall is a certified high-performance coach with credentials from BC Hockey and Hockey Canada.