U-15 Prep //
RHA U15 are excited to welcome 19 new faces to the RHA family. Exciting times for everyone being back on the ice and behind the bench. We feel that we have assembled a great bunch of players with a mix of skill, size, grit and determination. We can’t wait to get the season going and are excited to play some hockey again
Meet the Coaches!
Brad Purdie , Head Coach
After a 15-year playing career, including the IHL, ECHL and Europe, as well as representing Team Canada on three different occasions, Brad retired and joined the University of Manitoba Men’s Hockey coaching staff. Following this Brad joined the RINK Hockey Academy in their inaugural year and has served as Head Coach of U-15 Prep for the last 5 years. Brad has a High Performance 1 coaching certificate and has worked with Hockey Manitoba and the Program of Excellence U16 on three separate occasions, most recently as the head coach of the 2015 team that took part 2015 Western Canada Bantam Challenge, capturing the silver medal. Brad was also a part of the coaching staff that won Bronze at the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
Ian Duval, Assistant Coach
This Manitoba born and raised native comes from a deep hockey background, which includes 5 years in the WHL with NHL camp invites to Tampa Bay and Columbus. At 21 he committed to playing at the University of Manitoba with the Bison for 5 seasons. Following his university career, he played in the ECHL with the Wichita Thunder for one season where injuries cut his playing career short. This is when he transitioned into player development with our staff at The Rink Training Centre since 2016. For the inaugural year of our RHA program Ian had the opportunity to be an assistant coach with our Midget team. He is extremely excited to continue to build from last season and to provide experience and growth for our players as well as our program.
U-16 Prep //
Really exciting time for the U16 Prep as they welcome back a number of student athletes from last year U15 as well as a talented new crop of athletes! What else is new… both coaches! Welcoming a new assistant coach Jon Carlson with a fresh out of playing background, excited to be apart of the RINK Hockey Academy. Lastly, Jeff Borse is entering his first year as head coach and is thrilled with the group after the first few days.
Meet the Coaches!
Jeff Borse, Head Coach
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Jeff finished his playing career with the Winnipeg Blues before beginning his coaching career. Jeff first started coaching with his old high school team, the Oak Park Raiders, where he won his first championship as a coach. After 3 years with Oak Park, he moved onto the Bantam 2 Winnipeg Monarchs, again winning City and Provincial championships, and placing 4th in Westerns. Jeff then made the jump to Junior hockey with the Winnipeg Blues then the Charleswood Hawks. During his time coaching he pursued the skill development side of the game as well. Spending 5 plus years with Vigier Hockey and 3 years with Jets Hockey Development. Recently Jeff was accepted and is in training to become a Hockey Canada Certified Skills Coach. With his love for the game, strong belief in development and diverse hockey background, Jeff is beyond excited to help develop young hockey players reach their goals on and off the ice.
Jon Carlson, Assistant Coach
Jon is from Fort Frances, Ontario, and grew up playing his minor hockey out of the Fort Frances Minor Hockey Association before joining the Thunder Bay Kings AAA program. He later went on to play 4 years of Junior A hockey with the Fort Frances Lakers, Portage Terriers and finishing with the Winkler Flyers. Following his 20-year-old season in Winkler, Jon committed to Fredonia State where he played 4 years of NCAA DIII hockey while obtaining a bachelor's degree in Sports Management and a minor in Athletic Coaching. Following his time at Fredonia State, he furthered his education at the University of Cincinnati where he obtained a Master of Science in Sports Administration. Jon started at the Rink at the end of August and will have a split role between Assistant Coach with the RHA U16 Prep Team as well as a Player Development Coach with the Rink.
U-18 Prep //
I would like to welcome Mike Liambas to his first RHA season. I am looking forward to going through life and a hockey season alongside of him. Plain and simple – it just feels amazing to be back in a team environment where you get to come to the Rink and try and be better each day. One of our goals as a team this year is to come to the Rink with the attitude of Joy. We want to enjoy the moment and want to be thankful for the opportunity we get to work on ourselves each day.
Meet the Coaches!
Rob Smith, Head Coach
Born in Steinbach, Rob started his hockey career playing for the Steinbach Millers and Eastman Selects. At age 18 he moved to Calgary and spent three years playing Major Junior Hockey for the Calgary Hitmen and Brampton Battalion. From there, Rob played four full seasons with the University of Manitoba Bison’s while he finished a BA majoring in Psychology. His final two years with the Bison’s he was named Captain of the team. After his university career he played professional hockey in Germany and in North America. Shifting his focus from playing to coaching before Rob started behind the bench he was certified as a Strength and Conditioning Coach where he worked with athletes from many different sports. The love of being a mentor and hockey coach moved Rob to start coaching hockey in the Winnipeg AAA system. After one year he joined the Steinbach Pistons of the MJHL as an Assistant Coach and won the Turnbull Cup in 2013. Rob has also been heavily involved with the U-16 POE Manitoba program coaching in the program for 4 years both as a Head and an Assistant Coach.
Mike Liambas, Assistant Coach
Liambas began his junior hockey career in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League (OPJHL) with the St. Michael’s Buzzers He joined the major junior ranks in 2006-07with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League. Following his junior career Mike played a year with the University of British Columbia before making the jump to pro hockey where he played with the Cincinnati Cyclones. Mike most recently played with the Iowa Wild in the AHL while under contract with the Minnesota Wild organization. Mike made his NHL Debut during the 2016-17 season, with the Nashville Predators. Mike is excited to begin his coaching career while using his career experiences to help him teach his team of student athletes alongside Head Coach, Rob Smith for the upcoming 2021-22’ season.
U-18 Female Prep //
We are excited to welcome the old and new 21-22 female Prep team back to the RINK. There are a lot of new faces joining the squad this year and they have fit in well with the first few days of training camp and testing. We are all looking forward to getting to play some games in finally! RHA female will be cheering on Glory Plett and Keara Parker this coming weekend as they represent Team Manitoba against the University of Manitoba Bisons.
Meet the Coaches!
Maggie Litchfield-Medd, Head Coach
Maggie has an impressive playing and coaching career that she will bring along to RHA. She played five full seasons with the University of Manitoba Bison’s women’s hockey team and served as team captain in her final year. In 2015, Maggie represented Canada at the FISU games in Granada, Spain, and helped her country earn a silver medal. After University, Maggie moved to Sweden to play for SDE Hockey in the Swedish Women’s Hockey League (SDHL). During that time, Maggie served as an assistant captain and led the team in points. When her playing days finished, Maggie stayed in Sweden for 2 more years to serve as the head coach for the SDE Hockey team she played for, and to be the Chief Director of SDE’s minor female skill development. When she returned to Winnipeg in 2018, Maggie served as the assistant coach for University of Manitoba Bison’s women’s hockey team before accepting her role with RHA in 2019. She has completed her HP1 coaching certificate and brings a wealth of knowledge and international experience to the RINK Hockey Academy.
Tess Dusik, Assistant Coach
Born in Oak Bluff, Manitoba, Tess began her hockey career at seven years old. Her minor hockey days were spent playing with the boys and later transitioned to play female hockey in grade ten where she played for Balmoral Hall’s Prep hockey program. From there Tess was a member of Team Manitoba and was invited to Team Canada’s U18 camps. After her high school career, Tess got recruited to play university hockey for Bemidji State University Beavers (NCAA DI). The WCHA Scholar-Athlete received a full-ride scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science. Upon graduation, Tess played overseas in Gothenburg, Sweden before returning home to enroll herself into further education for massage therapy. Tess will serve as the Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) for Testify Performance as well as the assistant coach for the Female Midget RHA program.