Nate Leslie: Director
Nate has a Masters Degree of Education from Madrid, Spain, speaks German, Swiss German, & French, and played 7 years of professional hockey in Europe. Outside of camp, Nate is the owner of Leslie Global Sports, the creator of the minor hockey online coaching course, How to Play Hockey, and Certified Executive Coach applicant running Athlete Transition and Life after Hockey leadership programs at www.nateleslie.ca. Leslie Global Sports runs all skill development and hockey programs at the Richmond Olympic Oval. Nate leads the New Zealand Hockey Exchange with brother Boe in Queenstown, New Zealand. In Vancouver, LGS instructs the Britannia Hockey Academy. After 4 years of Junior hockey Nate played 7 professional seasons in Europe and North America including the Swiss Elite League, British Super League, and the Central Hockey League. Before moving to Vancouver in 2008 Nate spent 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, and has won the Spengler Cup 3 times while coaching professionally for 20 years. Bob now runs Leslie Global Leadership training throughout Europe from his home base in Zurich, Switzerland. Nate’s passion for coaching, teaching, and leadership runs deep, most recently leading him to Mongolia. Watch Nate’s documentary about hockey in Mongolia here.
Mike Coflin: Director
Mike Coflin is the Assistant to the General Manager and Director of Player Development with the Portland Winterhawks, WHL. Previous to his current position Mike was the Vice Principal at a secondary school in North Surrey, BC. Mike’s involvement in the West Coast Hockey Prep Camp started while Head Coach and supervising teacher at the Earl Marriott 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 36 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.
Ronnie Paterson
Ronnie wears many hats, all with incredible passion and enthusiasm. He is the Owner of Rokapa Hospitality and Sports Management. He is the founder & President of the White Rock Whalers Junior B franchise, President of Kids Sport White Rock Chapter, sits on the Board of Governors of the British Columbia Hockey League, and active partner in the West Coast Hockey Prep Camp. He also finds time to own and operate multiple retail and restaurant locations in the food and beverage industry. In a previous life, Ronnie was the Director of Sales for Western Canada at Molson, from 1980 to 2004. A former goaltender, 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. Ronnie played his Minor Hockey in Richmond and 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 is clearly a key figure in the success of the West Coast Prep Camp and a conduit to the BCHL & PIJHL. 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: Director
Mark is part owner of Vancouver / Lower Mainland’s most successful chain of hockey retail stores, Cyclone Taylor Sports. Grandson of 1909 and 1915 Stanley Cup winning legend Fred Cyclone Taylor, Mark played 12 years of professional hockey: 4 years in the NHL, 3 years in the American hockey league, 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. 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 Hobey Baker award the following year). Mark shattered most of the school scoring records by the end of his fourth season. Knee injuries cut that season and ultimately his career short. While playing for UND, Mark completed his business degree. Read more about Mark’s career in the Surrey Now-Leader.
Kerry Gladson
Kerry Gladson has owned an operated one of the Lower Mainland’s premier metal roofing companies, Kerrian Metal for over 30 years. His company was recently acquired by Bothwell Accurate. In addition to his business holdings, Kerry is the BC Scout for the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League. As a lead partner in the West Coast Hockey Prep Camp, Kerry is head of infrastructure, as well as coach recruitment. Kerry grew up in Burnaby, BC where he played his minor hockey. 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. He is excited to bring his networking experience to help camp participants with their hockey careers.
