Jr Prep Camp Directors:

 

 

Ryan Esselmont

Ryan Esselmont is part owner, GM, Head Coach and Trainer of the Cyclone Taylor Hockey Training Facility.  Ryan's primary on and off ice training focus is helping players improve their hockey skill set, game play and physical condition.  Ryan's Junior career started at age 16 in Trail, BC where he won the Western Canadian National Championship (Cyclone Taylor Cup). The next year he moved on to the BCHL with the Bellingham Ice Hawks, followed by three years with the Kelowna Spartans. During his three years with Kelowna, the team won the Royal Bank Cup, (National Championship). The following year they placed second at the Royal Bank Cup(National Championship) losing out in the final game . In his final year with Kelowna, Ryan achieved a personal best and most successful of his Junior career, receiving a full scholarship to Northern Michigan University .Following university Ryan spent eight memorable years as a professional hockey player in the US and Europe.  During his pro career Ryan developed a passion for coaching and developed his training philosophy from his personal experiences and the coaches for whom he played. Ryan spent 4 years as coach and trainer at the Sentinel Hockey Academy.  In 2002, Ryan received his ACE certification (American Council of Exercise) personal training certification. In 2007 Ryan achieved his certification in NCCP (National Coaching Certification Program). In 2009 Ryan co-founded the Cyclone Taylor Advanced Hockey Academy where he is currently the Head Coach.

Mike Coflin

Mike Coflin is currently the Head Coach and Supervisor, and teacher at the Earl Marriott Cyclone Taylor Hockey Academy in White Rock, BC.  A product of the British Columbia Hockey League and a University of British Columbia Hockey Alumni, Mike has a very extensive coaching background.  He has over 26 years of hockey school experience, a B.Ed degree and M.Ed degree, and Hockey Canada level 4 coaching certification.  After 12 years as the Head Coach of the University of British Columbia, Mike continued coaching with stints in the British Columbia Hockey League and one season in the Italian Elite League.  Mike received Coach of the Year accolades in 1996 and 2003.  Mike was a guest coach at the Vancouver Canucks Training Camp in 2000, a member of the Canadian National Team coaching staff at the Nagano Cup in 1996, and a Guest Coach with the Canadian National Team in 1994.  He has both coached and mentored at the BC Best Ever program. He has also contributed as a writer of the Hockey Canada Nike Coaching Manuals.  Mike’s dedication to the game elevates the level of coaches around him.  He commands a respect from his players that push them to new heights that creates an atmosphere of self-reflection and accountability.  Coach Coflin is responsible for Prep Camp’s on-ice curriculum and coaching staff.

Nate Leslie

After 2 seasons in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League with the Portage Terriers, and 2 seasons in the BCHL with the Victoria Salsa, Nate played 7 professional seasons including the Swiss Elite League, British Super League, and the Central Hockey League.  Since retiring in 2004 Nate has graduated with a Masters Degree in International Education from Endicott College in Madrid, Spain, and currently operates the family hockey development business, Leslie Global Sports.  Nate works in Partnership with Ryan Esselmont and Cyclone Taylor Hockey.  He spent the last 4 years in New York City building a hockey program in West Harlem and was the Athletic Director in the prestigious Manhattan boarding school, the Saint Thomas Choir School.  Nate’s father Bob coached Team Canada to Deutschland Cup and Spengler Cup gold medals in Switzerland, has coached professionally for 20 years, and most recently held the post as the General Manager of the Hamburg Freezers of the German Elite League (DEL) in 2008-09.  His mother Barbara has been a teacher for 35 years and currently teaches middle school at the Zurich International School in Switzerland. Nate’s passion for coaching and teaching runs deep.  Nate will assist Coach Coflin in the delivery of on-ice curriculum and camp philosophy.

Ronnie Patterson

A former goaltender, Ronnie played his Minor Hockey in Richmond and went on to play 4 seasons of Junior A Hockey for Richmond Sockeyes in the BCHL – 1972 -1976.  A UBC Alumni member, Ronnie played Varsity hockey at the University of British Columbia in the CIS from 1977-79 and again from 1981-83.  Ronnie had the honour of playing for the Canadian Olympic Team from 1979-81 and played in the World Collegiate Games in 1982.  He was named to the CIS 1st All Star Team in 1977, ‘78 and ’82.  He was named an “All Canadian CIS Goaltender” in 1982 and won the British Columbia Premier Award 1982.  Since 2004 Ronnie has held the post of co-owner of the Surrey Eagles of the prestigious BCHL and sits on the BCHL Executives board.  Ronnie is clearly a key figure in the success of Prep Camp and a conduit to the BCHL.  Players hoping to play Junior Hockey are fortunate to have Ronnie on the Prep Camp Board of Directors.  Ronnie plays and integral role in coach recruitment, player recruitment, and marketing of Prep Camp.

Mark Taylor

Grandson of 1909 and 1915 Stanley Cup winning legend Fred Cyclone Taylor, Mark grew up playing hockey in Vancouver with Kerrisdale and went on to play in the BCJHL with the Langley Lords. Mark was voted the MVP of the league in 1976 at the age of 17. Mark received a 4 year scholarship the following year at the University of North Dakota and led the team to a runner up finish for the NCAA title in his third year and then won the U.S. national title in his fourth and final year. Mark was named the top college player that year (renamed the Hoby Baker award the following year). Mark shattered most of the school scoring records by the end of his fourth season. Mark went on to play 12 years of professional hockey that included 3 years in the American hockey league, 4 years in the NHL and 5 years in Europe of which 4 were in Switzerland. Marks best year in the NHL was with Pittsburgh in 1985 where he scored 24 goals and 31 assists in 59 games. Knee injuries cut that season and ultimately his career short. While playing for UND, Mark completed his business degree.  Mark now runs the lower mainland’s most successful chain of hockey stores, Cyclone Taylor Sports, and is a principal owner of the Cyclone Taylor Hockey Training Center in Delta, BC.

Jim Knight – General Manger

Jim Knight is in his first year as the General Manager of the Jr. Prep Camp. He has been a part of the Jr Prep Camp organization for the last six years and brings a wealth of hockey experience to the camp. At the prepcamp Jim has worked as a Coach, Evaluator and Recruiter. Jim brings with him 13 years of experience as General Manager, Assistant Coach and Head Scout of Junior A teams in the BCHL and AJHL. He was also a Director/Manager for the Major Midget program in Leduc, AB (AMHL). He is currently the General Manager of the Kerry Park Islanders Jr B Hockey Club in the VIJHL. Jim is looking forward to working with each and every one of you at getting you ready to make the next step in your hockey career.

Kerry Gladson

Kerry grew up in Burnaby, BC where he played his minor hockey, highlighted by leading the Pee Wee AAA team to the first Pee Wee Provincial finals. Kerry's senior career spanned 5 seasons and included the Langley Lords of the BCHL where he played alongside Prep Camp director and former NHL player Mark Taylor. With the Vancouver Junior Canucks, Kerry was scouted and received a scholarship to the University of Illinois in Chicago. In his first year he helped the team to a 3rd place finish in the NCAA Division II finals. Kerry scored the winning goal in the longest game in tournament history. After university Kerry played Senior Hockey winning the BC provincial Coy Cup and Savage Cup titles. Kerry has coached in the BCHL in 1982-83 with the Burnaby Bluehawks and has coached minor hockey for the past 10 years. He is excited to bring his networking experience to help camp participants with their hockey careers.