Hockey Opportunity Camp has incredible leadership in our Hockey program. All of our Head Hockey Instructors combine playing, coaching and instructing experience with a love for summer camp and working with youth.
Josh Dixon
Head Hockey Instructor/ Program Advisor
We are thrilled to welcome Josh Dixon and his young family back for another summer with us. Josh’s passion and enthusiasm for the game and teaching/learning the game is contagious!
· Currently – Head Coach – University of Guelph Gryphons Men's Hockey Team, USports
· 8 Years – Instructor / Head instructor – Hockey Opportunity Camp
· 3 Years – Head Coach – Saint John Sea Dogs – QMJHL
· Additional Experiences - Associate Head Coach – Swift Current Broncos – WHL, Assistant Coach – Regina Pats – WHL, Assistant Coach – University of Calgary Dinosaurs – USports (CWUAA), Director of Player Development – CAA Sports, Head Coach – Team Saskatchewan – Canada Winter Games, Assistant Coach – Team Canada U17 World Challenge
· NCCP High Performance 2 Certified – Hockey Canada
· High Performance Mindset – Certified
· M.A. - Sports Psychology, University of Calgary
· M.A. – High Performance Coaching, National Coaching Institute
David Purcell
Head Hockey Instructor
David is back for his 10th summer on the ice with us, and we couldn’t be happier about that! David retired in June 2022 as an elementary school principal with the Halton District School Board. He is the elder statesman with our hockey program. His wisdom and experience are valued and appreciated. When David isn’t on the ice leading our campers and staff, he’s usually on the water.
· 10 Years – Head Hockey Instructor – Hockey Opportunity Camp
· Played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League on a line with Luc Robtaille,
· All Canadian and League Scoring Champion, USports (CIS) Hockey, St. Francis Xavier University
· Member of St. Francis Xavier University Hall of Fame
· NCCP Certified – Hockey Canada
· Respect in Sport Certified
· 35 years in education, 15 as an elementary school principal (retired)
· B.A. – St Francis Xavier, B.Ed. - Memorial
Dave Montelpare
Head Hockey Instructor
We are thrilled to have the well-respected, veteran minor hockey coach Dave Montelpare, back for another summer. Dave loves his time at HOC so much that he actually uses his holidays from his real job so he can be at HOC, on the ice, leading our hockey program each summer.
· 9 years – Head Hockey Instructor – Hockey Opportunity Camp
· 10 years – Head Coach – GTHL / NYHL
· 8 years – Professional Skating Instructor
· NCCP Certified – Hockey Canada
· Respect in Sport Certified
· Certified Trainer – Hockey Canada
· Cross Border Transportation Business Analyst
· P.Eng. - McMaster
Keenan Kennedy
Head Hockey Instructor
A big HOC “welcome back” to Keenan Kennedy. Keenan was a long time HOC camper and counsellor, and then a hockey instructor for us. He has spent 10+ summers at HOC. Keenan is a school teacher in Newfoundland, giving him the opportunity to return to HOC for the summer. Keenan is pictured below hoisting the Herder Cup (Newfoundland Senior Championship Trophy) in April of 2022. Keenan was the Herder Cup MVP that year as well.
· 6 Years – Instructor – Hockey Opportunity Camp, 2nd year as Head Hockey Instructor
· Currently playing Senior hockey with the Southern Shore Breakers in Newfoundland
· Product of the Barrie Minor Hockey Association· NCCP Certified – Hockey Canada
· Respect in Sport Certified
· B.A. – Memorial, B.Ed. - Memorial