Global Sport Academy and STIX Hockey are excited to announce the finalization of their coaching staff for the 2019-2020 hockey season.

The majority of the full-time coaching staff, including familiar names such as Dustin Taylor, Kath Surbey, and David Addison, will return in various capacities with Global Sport Academy. For a full list of Global Sport Academy coaches, please head to the Global Sport Academy Staff page linked here.

New faces to the Global Sport Academy/STIX Hockey brand include Dana Tyrell, Micki DuPont, and Tyler Wagner, who will be involved in working with the School Academy Programs, and Spring Hockey in a regular capacity.

Micki DuPont, 39, is a native of Calgary with nearly 2 decades of professional hockey experience. Drafted in the 9^th round, 270^th overall of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by his hometown Calgary Flames, Micki spent 5 years playing North American professional hockey with the Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues. The former defenseman spent the remainder of his active career within the European hockey system, playing in the top divisions of Switzerland and Germany’s hockey leagues. In addition to his playing experience, Micki has worked as a coach with Eisbären Berlin’s U18 development team while still active with the club’s top-league roster.

 “Each organization is only as good as the people leading it, and the Global leadership and entire staff have shown me that they are serious about providing great hockey instruction, combined with building important life skills to student athletes,” responds DuPont when asked about his reasons for joining Global Sport Academy. “Global staff are knowledgeable and genuine people who are there for the right reasons. I witnessed this first hand at their academies.”

Tyler Wagner, 26, is also a native of Calgary and grew up in the Calgary Northstars Minor Hockey Association. He played 2 seasons in the KIJHL with the Grand Forks Border Bruins and Penticton Lakers before returning to Calgary to pursue postsecondary education. Tyler has spent the past 5 years back with the Northstars in a coaching capacity, most recently spending the past 2 seasons as Head Coach of the Bantam Northstar Sabres of the AMBHL. Wagner was also involved with the STIX Hockey program over the past 2 springs and brings a level of familiarity with him to his new job.

 “For me it came together over two years. I expressed interest in wanting to be part of this program two years ago and from there we just gradually built a relationship to the point it’s at today,” replies Wagner when asked about how the opportunity came along. “I also worked for STIX for the past two years so being part of the program everyday during the spring really pushed me towards wanting to be part of Global.”

When asked to expand on his personal coaching philosophy and style, Tyler answers: “I think my main philosophy would be teaching players skills on and off the ice that translate to the next level or real world. For me it’s about teaching a young adult or teenage kid about what will help them achieve long term success.”

“One of the greatest factors in helping develop young student athletes is to show them that you believe in them. I know firsthand that if you don’t feel the support and confidence from your coaches, teachers and teammates you will not be able to flourish,” expresses fellow fresh face Micki DuPont when given the same question about personal coaching philosophy and style. “It is my goal to help build confidence in the student athletes I work with through improving their skill set on and off the ice.

“Global is very excited to add both Micki DuPont and Tyler Wagner as full time staff. During our hiring process we look for candidates who live our core values in their everyday life,” elaborates Jeff Ovens, Vice-President of Business Development for Global Sport Academy, on his organization’s newest hires. “Micki is coming off a 19-year professional career in both the NHL and Europe and is very excited to begin the next phase of his life by giving back to the game through coaching. Tyler, on the other hand, is well known in the hockey circles around Calgary as he's been a coach who's impacted many young lives by inspiring the players he works with to be better everyday.”

“We strongly believe that Micki, Dana and Tyler will make our staff even better this year as we continue to lead the global shift of high-performance youth development.”

For a detailed list of programs offered and administered by Global Sport Academy, please click here.