2025 Rep Tryouts General Announcements
U13/U15/U18 - will begin August 23, 2025
U11 - will begin Sept. 6, 2025.
There will be no activities Saturday, August 30 - Monday, Sept. 1, 2025 for U13, U15, and U18.
There will be pathway skates for U11 on August 30 and 31st.
ePact information must be updated prior to the first ice session in order to participate in the tryouts prior.
2025-2026 Head Coaches Announced
U18 A1 – Mike Todd
Mike Todd has been coaching with TBirds for approximately 19 years. Mike is also the director of player and coach development for our recreational stream. We are pleased to have Mike lead our U18 A1 team this season.
U18 A2 – Pat Sihota
Pat has coached for over a decade within minor hockey associations. Pat has spent the last seven years coaching at TBirds at both U15 and U18. We are pleased to have Pat return for the 2025/26 season.
U15 A1 – Danny Hildebrand
Danny has been coaching for over 20 years at both the minor hockey and junior levels and has been involved for many years at TBirds. For the past eight years, Danny has been coaching at TBirds in the U15 age group and led our U15 A1 team to a silver medal at BC Tier 1 Provincials in the 2022/23 season. We are pleased to have him return for the 2025-2026 season.
U15 A2 – Mischa Polzin
Mischa has been coaching for over 20 years. Mischa has coached at all age groups within minor hockey, been involved with junior, and he also has experience as a minor hockey director. We are pleased to welcome Mischa to TBirds for the 2025-2026 season.
U15 A3 – Dave Mark
Dave Mark has been coaching with TBirds for approximately 13 years and he was recognized with the Brad Addison Coach of the Year Award in the 2018-2019 season. We are pleased to have Dave lead our U15 A3 team this season.
U13 A1 –Kyle Star
Kyle is a former Junior player that has been coaching with TBirds for the past five years at the U15 and U18 age groups. Kyle most recently coached our U15 A2 team and he has also been involved as an instructor with our in season and summer camps. We are pleased to have Kyle return for the 2025/26 season.
U13 A2 – Jim Seto
Jim has been involved in coaching minor hockey for almost 20 years. He has experience at most age groups but most recently the U13 and U11 levels. We are pleased to have him coaching our U13 A2 team this season.
U13 A3 – Bryson Sihota
Bryson has been involved in coaching TBirds teams for the past six seasons at both the U15 and U13 age groups. Last season, Bryson coached our U13 A3 team. We are pleased to have Bryson leading our U13 A3 team again this season.
U13 A4 - TBC
U11 A1 – Shawn McQuistin
Shawn has been coaching for over 10 years and has been involved as a skills provider with both Vancouver Hockey School and TBirds. Shawn coached our U11 A1 team last season and we are pleased to have Shawn return and lead our U11 A1 team in 2025-2026.
U11 A2 – Pius Ho
Pius has coached in China for many years and is focused on the skill development of his players. He has coached within TBirds for the last six years in the U11 age group and is focused on skill development and player advancement. We are pleased to have Pius return for the 2025-2026 season.
U11 A3 and U11 A4 - TBC
Thunderbirds Rep Program
Thunderbirds Rep Program goal is for players to develop their hockey skills and improve their overall athleticism.
All age groups will have two team practices per week as well as additional on-ice skills.
Contracted/non parent coaches are secured for most teams with additional skill instructor support provided for any parent coached teams.
Dryland training is included for U15 and U18 rep teams.
The Rep Program Fee includes but is not limited to: coaching honorarium, additional skills programs, additional ice times, tournament allocation, apparel package, dryland program (U15 and U18), etc.
There will be additional team fees as determined by the team. For example a bus rental, off ice team building activities, etc.
Skill Development
High Performance programs and Goalie training sessions are part of the regular curriculum. Additional opt-in programs are offered.