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 in 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
Jeff and Rachel Flanagan
We are thrilled to welcome Jeff and Rachel Flanagan for Weeks 3 and 4 of our Overnight Hockey + Camp Program. Jeff and Rachel’s wealth of experience and knowledge will be a fantastic addition to our Hockey Program.
Jeff Flanagan
Head Hockey Instructor
- BA History - University of Guelph, BEd - Lakehead University
- NCCP High-Performance Level II Coach Certification
- Playing Experience: University of Guelph Gryhon Hockey, Thunder Bay Bombers and Clinton Radars - Senior A
- Coaching Experience: University of Guelph Gryphon Men's/Women's Hockey Program - 2x National Champion (1997, 2019) and 3x OUA Champion (1997, 2017, 2019)- Yokohama Grits - Head Coach - Asia League, Toronto Furies - Head Coach - CWHL, Johnstown Cheifs - Head Coach - ECHL, Reading Royals - Assistant Coach - ECHL, HC Garenda - Head Coach - Italy, Basingstoke Bison - Assistant Coach - EIHL (UK), Junior Hockey - Head/Assistant Coach - OJHL & GOJHL
- Additional Experience: Coach of the Year - Cherry Cup Champion, Team Canada Select Camp Coach - FISU, Hockey Canada - Assistant Coach - Silver Medal for Team Canada East World Junior A Challenge (2016)
Rachel Flanagan
Head Hockey Instructor
- BSc Human Kinetics + MA Leadership – University of Guelph, BEd – Lakehead University
- NCCP High-Performance Level II Coach Certification
- NCCP/OHF High-Performance Level I Coach Evaluator
- Playing Experience: University of Guelph Women’s Hockey (Captain 2001-2003, OUA All-Star, 2002), Great Britain Women’s National Team
- Coaching Experience: Toronto Sceptres - Assistant Coach - PWHL, University of Guelph Program Advisor Women's Hockey, University of Guelph - Head Coach - Women's Hockey (1x National Championship, 3x OUA Championships), World University Games - Assistant and Head Coach (2013 Italy and 2017 Kazakhstan), Hockey Canada Women's National Team - Head Coach, Assistant Coach - Seniors Women's National Team, Assistant Coach - National Development Team, Current National team Summer Selection and Development Camps
-Additional Experience: 5x OUA Women's Coach of the Year, 2x OUA Female Coach of the Year, 1x BFL High-Performance Female Coach of the Year