DAVID CLARKSON – HEAD COACH 15U
OHC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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OHC COACHING STAFF
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Throughout his hockey career, David Clarkson developed a reputation for being one of the game’s great all-around players. Clarkson’s four-year junior career started with Belleville of the Ontario Hockey League and ended with Kitchener, where he won the Memorial Cup in 2003. Clarkson spent 12 years in the NHL, playing 570 games, before making the transition into coaching. Clarkson is dedicated to providing student-athletes with a development model that will benefit from his passion for hockey and his dedication to providing student-athletes with opportunities beyond the ice.
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JOHN MITCHELL – ASSISTANT COACH 15U
With his outstanding technical knowledge, Mitchell’s detailed approach to developing skills as a player allows him to observe small details to improve an individual’s skill set. Additionally, with 20 years in elite hockey, Mitchell has a deep understanding of how the game is played from both an individual and team standpoint. At the end of the day, a great coach and great teammates will impact players’ lives well beyond the ice. John’s mission as a coach is to allow kids to maximize their experience in hockey and carry forward to whatever path they pursue.
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RICHARD MATVICHUK – HEAD COACH 14U/SENIOR CONSULTANT
Matvichuk’s hockey journey spans over three decades, starting with a successful playing career. The former NHL defenseman represented Canada on two occasions and spent fourteen seasons in the NHL. Matvichuk’s extensive experience on and off the ice has shaped him into a valued leader and mentor. As a coach, Matvichuk’s passion for the game has continued. His previous coaching positions, including Head Coach for the Prince George Cougars (WHL) have provided him with invaluable insights into the evolving dynamics of the modern hockey player. Matvichuk believes in fostering open and honest communication and creating an environment where everyone can thrive collectively.
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CAMERON CLEMENSON – ASSISTANT COACH 14U
Cameron Clemenson is a Colorado Native who has been coaching Tier 1 AAA hockey for 16 years. Clemenson’s has experience coaching at the Junior A level in the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League and has also coached several season coaching at the 15U and 16U levels. His roles at these levels have included time as an Assistant Coach, Goalie Director and 2 seasons as a Head Coach. Clemonson’s success as a coach is evident in that for 7 years, his teams were in the top 10 in the country. In addition to his Assistant Coach role with OHC, Clemenson also helps with the Colorado Grit of the NAHL. Clemenson joined OHC in 2023.
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TERRY OTT – HEAD COACH 13U
Terry Ott grew up in Naperville, IL and attended Michigan State University. A resident of Colorado since 1996, Ott began coaching in 2002 as a co-owner of Puckmasters Denver, a skill development company using synthetic ice to conduct private and small group lessons. Terry has coached hockey at the Front Range Hockey Association, the Littleton Hockey Association, and at Regis Jesuit High School. Ott has been coaching at Regis Jesuit High School for the past nineteen years, the last two years as its head hockey coach. During that time, Regis Jesuit High School has captured six Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Hockey State Championships and two USA Hockey High School National Championships. Ott holds a Level 4 USA Hockey Certification. Ott joined OHC in 2023.
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DANNY PEREZ – ASSISTANT COACH 13U
Danny Perez grew in Bloomfield, NJ, playing minor hockey there before playing Jr. A in the EHL. He would go on to play his university hockey with the NCAA D1 University of Maine Black Bears. He would finish his playing career with a year in the ECHL and SPHL. Perez has a passion for coaching and mentorship. His 8+ years of coaching experience include time as a Skills Coach for the University of Maine. In addition to his hockey coaching experience, Perez is also an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer. Perez joined OHC in 2022.
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PETER BUDAJ – GOALIE COACH
Goalie Development Coach, Peter Budaj, was born and raised in Slovakia and played 368 games in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche, Montreal Canadiens, LA Kings, and Tampa Bay Lightning. Budaj has recently made a transition back to Colorado as Goalie Development Coach for the Colorado Avalanche. In addition to his playing career and coaching role in the NHL, Budaj has been dedicated to coaching youth athletes through his youth development program, Budaj Blockers. Coach Budaj brings an incredible amount of knowledge and expertise to the Okanagan Hockey Colorado. Budaj joined OHC in 2022.
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KYLE OSTROW – SKILLS COACH
Kyle Ostrow started his hockey journey in his hometown of Calgary, Alberta. Ostrow spent his Jr. career with the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL – while with the Clippers, Ostrow would win the BCHL Championships in 2007. Ostrow would move on to play university hockey with the University of Denver Pioneers. Kyle’s time with the Pioneers saw him named to the NCAA (WCHA) All-Academic Team 3 years in a row. Professionally, Ostrow played for 5 years in the ECHL, AHL and DEL2 leagues. Since retiring, Ostrow has steadily been building his coaching resume. In addition to running his own program for 7 years, he has been an Assistant Coach with Valor High School and the Colorado Thunderbirds, and a Skills Coach with Krivo Hockey, the Colorado Thunderbirds, and Aces Academy. Ostrow joined OHC in 2023.
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DREW SHORE – SKILLS COACH
Drew Shore was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. Shore grew up playing hockey in the Denver area beforemoving on to Junior Hockey and USA National Development Program. Shore would represent the USA 3 times winning a silver medal at the U17 World Hockey Championships, a gold medal at the U18 World Junior Championships, and finally, a bronze medal at the U20 World Junior Championships. Shore was drafted in the 2nd round (44th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers. Before playing professionally, Shore played for 3 years at the University of Denver. Drew’s 10 year professional career would see him play in the NHL, AHL and various European Leagues before retiring in 2021. Shore is now giving back to the sport he loves by coaching in youth hockey. Shore joined OHC in 2023.
OHC COACHES SPOTLIGHT
No athlete is a finished project, and no player is built in a day. At Okanagan Hockey Colorado, our coaches bring an unparalleled level of expertise to their coaching duties each day. Their tremendous experience as both players and coaches at the Major Junior, College, and Professional levels allows them to build the student athlete in an incremental manner, focusing on the small details that separate elite players from the rest – both on the ice, and off.
Each athlete brings a unique skillset to the rink, and our coaches work to develop that particular player within the team concept. Okanagan Hockey Colorado’s coaches also share an incredible passion not only for player development, but for personal development as well.