The Cowichan Capitals are excited to announce their 2021/22 Hockey Staff. Brian Passmore is back for a second consecutive season behind the bench after leading the Caps through last years Port Alberni Pod season, joining him are Assistant Coaches Sean Robertson and Kyle Evans, goaltending coach James Gaertner and Athletic Therapist Jordan Brucks.
Brian Passmore leads the Caps as Head Coach after last seasons pod season, and will be behind the bench for the 3rd time out of the past five BCHL seasons. Cowichan finished 4th in the Island Pod, but after a shortened offseason open up main camp this weekend and have recruited a number of major junior veterans, and rookies coming in with NCAA commitments already secured.
Sean Robertson joins the Capitals are wrapping up his professional playing career, spending the 2019/20 season playing in Europe with Briancon of Ligue Magnus in France, and the Glasgow Clan of the EIHL. Robertson hails from Cobble Hill, and played in parts of 6 seasons in the BCHL with the Victoria Grizzlies and Vernon Vipers before attending Merrimack College to play Division 1 Hockey.
“Sean will relate extremely well with our group of players, he has experience as a player in the BCHL, College and Pro Level. Sean is excited to share his knowledge, experiences and mentor our D corps for this season. Sean grew up in Cobble Hill, BC and has family roots in the Cowichan Valley. We are very pleased to welcome Sean to the coaching staff for this season; he will be a coach the players can really relate with and build strong lasting relationships. Sean will be able to help promote our players to NCAA and brings strong character and work ethic to our coaching staff” said Capitals Head Coach & General Manager Brian Passmore.
Kyle Evans joins the Capitals coaching staff as assistant coach, hailing from Caledonia, ON, Kyle has been involved in coaching for several years. His journey has had stops in Southern Ontario, Northwestern Ontario, Alberta, and most recently Victoria. He is currently working on his High Performance 1 certification through Hockey Canada, as well as a degree in Sport Management at Camosun College.
“Coaching in the BCHL has always been a goal of mine. I’ve enjoyed watching this team compete over the last few seasons and am excited to now be a part of it. On the ice, I’m excited to work with our players and prepare them to play at the next level. Off the ice, I’m excited to share my experiences with them and help prepare them for life. I’m grateful for the opportunity to join Brian’s staff and be a part of the Capitals organization” said Evans.
Isaac MacLeod also joins as an assistant coach, from Nelson, BC. MacLeod played parts of two seasons in the BCHL with the Penticton Vees between 2008-10. He then went on to play 4 years at Boston College, recording 27 points in 142 NCAA games on the blue line. In 2011 he was part of the Hockey East Championship team as well as a member of the All-Academic team, and in 2012 that Boston College team was NCAA Division 1 Hockey Champions. MacLeod then played one season in the East Coast Hockey League with the Kalamazoo Wings, before beginning his coaching career with the KIJHL’s Nelson Leafs in 2015/16. He has a Bachelors of Education from The University of British Columbia and is also a teacher.
James Gaertner returns to the Capitals as goaltending coach, last season Gaertner was part of the Capitals Pod Season in Port Alberni. Gaertner has spent time as a coach with the Kerry Park Islanders and Nanaimo Buccaneers of the VIJHL as well as an assistant coach with the University of Victoria Vikes of the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League.
Back for his 3rd season is Athletic Therapist Can./ Equipment Manager Jordan Brucks. Jordan received a degree in human kinetics from Okanagan College in Kelowna, and a degree in athletic and exercise therapy from Camosun College in Victoria.
