2024 Rep Tryouts General Announcements
U13/U15 - will commence August 24, 2024
U11/U18 - will commence after Labour Day, Sept. 3, 2024.
There will be no activities Saturday, August 31 - Monday, Sept. 2, 2024 for U13, U15, and U18.
There will be pathway skates for U11 on August 31 and September 1st.
ePact information must be updated prior to the first ice session in order to participate in the tryouts prior.
Parents interested in helping coach (U11 and U13) or be part of the team staff as team manager or HCSP (all division), don't forget to complete the Team Staff Expression of Interest form.
2024-2025 Head Coaches Announced
U18 A1 – Mike Todd
Mike Todd has been coaching with TBirds for approximately 18 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 six years coaching at TBirds at both U15 and U18. We are pleased to have Pat return for the 2024/25 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 seven 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 2024-2025 season.
U15 A2 – 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 has also been involved as an instructor with our in season and summer camps. We are pleased to have Kyle return for the 2024/25 season.
U15 A3 – Dave Mark
Dave Mark has been coaching with TBirds for approximately 12 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 –Stanislav Sibert
Stan was a former professional player in Slovakia and he is well known for his skill development of players. Sibert is currently part of the coaching staff at Vancouver Hockey School and has been the providing coach development and support to Thunderbirds coaches since 2019. Stan has over a decade of coaching experience in BC at all age groups and we are very excited to have him involved with our U13 A1 team this season.
U13 A2 – Jens Persson-Thomas
Jens, a TBird alumni, played his minor hockey with the TBirds and he has also been involved with coaching at TBirds over the past five seasons all at the U13 age group. He coached our U13 A4 team last season and prior to that with Harrison Brown led the U13 A2 to a 4th place finish at BC. Provincials in the 2022/23 season. We are pleased to have Jens leading our U13 A2 team this season.
U13 A3 – Bryson Sihota
Bryson has been involved in coaching TBirds teams for the past 5 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.
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 2024-2025.
U11 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 U11 A2 team this season.
U11 A3 – 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 five years in the U11 age group and is focused on skill development and player advancement. We are pleased to have Pius return for the season.
Thunderbirds High Performance Program
Vancouver Thunderbirds offers more than just a chance to play hockey at a higher level of play for our U11 to U18 rep divisions. We have developed a program that will allow players to focus on improving their overall athleticism as well as their skill as a hockey player.
All ages will have access to the full PCAHA league play, two team practices per week as well as additional on-ice skills. Contract coaches are secured for most teams with additional skill instructor support for any parent coached teams.
The U13 A1, and all teams in the U15 and U18 High Performance Program will provide players the opportunity to develop their athleticism through dryland training.
Players will pay the base registration fee with their registration the same as all TBird players, however the total fees collected by the association in the fall replace the rep fee and the vast majority of the previous team fee. Included in the high performance fee are a coaching fee, additional ice times, tournament allocation to cover entry fees and coach costs, apparel package (all A1 teams), dryland program (U13, U15 and U18), as well as a small amount that can be applied to additional skills or off-ice team elements.
Anticipated rep program fees are below:
A1 players: approx $4250
A2 players: approx $3500
Rep Division sponsored by
Skill Development
High Performance programs and Goalie training sessions are part of the regular curriculum. Additional opt-in programs are offered.
Parent Participation
Our parents are our most valuable resource & we want everyone to enjoy their experience-players, parents & team staff.
Other Resources
Be sure to stay up to date on programs and information available to all of our Thunderbird players and parents.
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