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Hockey Operations

General Manager & Head Coach - Simon Ferguson

Simon who is originally from Langley, BC has since made the Okanagan Valley his home upon completing his junior hockey career in 2004.  Simon was named Interim Head Coach of the Warriors in 2020 with the Interim label being removed signing a two year extension moving into the 2020/21 season. Prior to accepting the Warriors Head Coach position, Simon spent time as the Head Coach of the Okanagan Rockets in the BC Major Midget League .  Simon spent fourteen years playing Junior and Professional hockey.  He was part of three Championship teams, including a WHL title with Kelowna in 2003, a Memorial Cup with Kelowna in 2004, and a Calder Cup with Hershey in 2010.

 

 

 

Assistant General Manager & Assistant Coach -  Ayrton Nikkel 

Ayrton is a Peachland, BC native and is in his fourth year with the Warriors. Prior to coaching, he spent four years in the WHL while splitting his final seasons between the ECHL, the BCHL and the CIS. During Ayrton's playing career, he won a gold medal with Team BC at the Canada Winter Games and competed with Team Pacific at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge.  Ayrton has also spent over a decade working in youth skill development and loves teaching all aspects of the game.

 

 

 

 

 

Director of Player Development - Josh Gorges

Josh continues with the Warriors after spending 13 seasons combined with the San Jose Sharks, Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres. Josh will specialize working closely with individual players both on and off the ice specializing in the mental side of the game and hockey IQ. Before his professional career Josh spent his entire Junior hockey career with the Kelowna Rockets(WHL) where he hoisted the Memorial Cup as Team Captain during the 2003-04 season. Gorges reunites with Warriors Head Coach Simon Ferguson, who was also a member of that historic Rockets team.

 

 

 

 

Director of Scouting & Hockey Development - Josh Blanchard

Josh joins the Warriors and returns to hockey following a five year career in the corporate/technology sales world. A Kelowna, BC native, Josh is familiar with the BC Hockey League and the area, having played his minor hockey in the Okanagan awhile suiting up in over 200 career games in the BCHL. Josh comes with a variety of hockey & business experience and is excited to help grow a variety of different areas of the Warriors organization.

 

 

 

 

Goaltending Coach - Chad Carder

Originally from Calgary Alberta, Chad is entering his 10th season as Warriors goalie coach.
Chad finished his Jr Career with a AJHL Championship with the Grande Prairie Storm, Goaltender of the year award, Goaltending tandem award and 3 All star Appearances.
Previous to moving to Kelowna he was goalie coach and consultant for ATC Goaltending, Camrose Kodiaks of the AJHL and surrounding minor hockey teams and academies.
Chad was also part of the 2015/2016 Warriors team which won BCHL, Western Canada Cup and Royal Bank Cup.

 

 

 

 

Video Coach - Wyatt Head

Wyatt joins the program for his 1st year of coaching following a playing career that span through the BCHL as well as into the NCAA. A Kelowna, BC native, Head has been involved in hockey all of his life while playing with the Okanagan Rockets in the BC Elite Hockey League before suiting up in 113 games for the Warriors and 146 games total in the league. Wyatt played two seasons at Mercyhurst University before returning to the Okanagan.

 

 

 

 

Athletic Therapist-  Mike Bois 

Mike obtained his Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology at Lakehead University in 2008 and continued on to complete his Advanced Certificated in Athletic Therapy at Mount Royal University in 2010. Since graduating, Mike has spent eight seasons with the West Kelowna Warriors and one season with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL. Mike was part of the 2016 West Kelowna Warriors team that went on to win the BCHL Championship, Western Canada Cup and Junior A RBC Cup National Championship. Mike has also worked with the Okanagan Hockey Academy, the Kelowna Falcons of the West Coast Baseball League, the Thunder Bay Bordercats of the Northwoods Baseball League and with Team Panama at the 2010 World Junior Baseball Championships.

 

 

 

 

Equipment Manager - Andrew Knopf

Andrew joins the Warriors after three seasons with the Kelowna Rockets in the Western Hockey League. Andrew has spent many years within hockey organizations and behind the scenes as equipment managers of both the Rockets and Kelowna Chiefs of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League in Junior 'B'.