GRANDE PRAIRIE MINOR HOCKEY 6 Knowledge Way, Grande Prairie, AB T8W 2V9 780-539-6177, ext 1 [email protected] www.gphockey.com Press Release April 27, 2020 Brett Stephenson named Technical Director for Grande Prairie Minor Hockey GPMHA is pleased to announce the hiring of Brett Stephenson as their new Technical Director. Brett brings a wealth of hockey knowledge and experience and will be a huge asset for our players and organization. The position will start May 15, 2020. Brett Stephenson Bio: I was born and raised in Edmonton, AB. My minor hockey was played in Edmonton. I played in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) with the Fort Saskatchewan Traders for two years, then one year in the SJHL with the Minot Americans. Then off to play for the Red Deer College Kings of the ACAC for three years taking Education. I moved to Grande Prairie to take a position as an Assistant Coach and Director of Scouting for the Grande Prairie Junior A Storm in 1997. There were many opportunities for me to network and be involved with several organizations throughout the Peace Country. In 2000 I moved to Bonnyville, AB for the exciting opportunity to be the Head Coach and General Manager of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL. My roles and responsibilities included management of office staff, operating within a budget, networking with many scouts, and day to day operations of the hockey team. I became entrenched in the community. We moved back to Grande Prairie for family reasons in 2006 as I returned to my passion as an Assistant Coach for the Grande Peace Ernie’s Sports Experts Major Midget AAA Storm for one season with Peter MacLellan. I also volunteered to scout for the Junior A Grande Prairie Storm at that time. I moved into a volunteer position as a Coach Mentor for all teams in the Grande Peace Athletic Club (GPAC). In my spare time I assisted with the Grande Prairie Minor Hockey Pee Wee Division as their Coach Mentor. In both these titles, I was asked to observe and support coaches with practices and facilitate communication between parent, players and coaching staff. I aligned with Tina Caron (Tanya Chomyc is now the owner), and her company, Power Plus Hockey Skating Inc, to provide hockey skills to the summer programs and skill development camps offered in the Peace Country. Throughout my life I have been continually placed in leadership positions: Captain of Junior A hockey teams, Coach and General Manager of the Bonnyville Pontiacs, an active member of the Grande Prairie Storm organization on many levels and as a Coach Mentor for the Grande Peace Athletic Club (GPAC). In 2010, I helped establish the Edge School Skill Academy with Grande Prairie Public School Division and developed the curriculum and programming for the Sports Academy. I have worked with several professional coaches: Mike Babcock, Cory Clouston, Bill Peters and Ian Gordon to name a few. I am very happily married to Shannon for 20 years and have two children, Grace and Trey. Both of my children have played within Grande Prairie Minor Hockey. I very much look forward to this great opportunity to provide guidance to the coaches and players of Grande Prairie Minor Hockey. .