2016 Canada Coaching Staff

Team Northwest continually strives for excellence in providing our players with challenging drills, competition and overall experience. Our passion for excellence is further delivered by the outstanding coaches that have embraced our program. This year we continue to demonstrate that passion and we are excited to announce the 2016 coaches!

TNW 2002 Coaches;

Todd Collins –
Todd is a Minnesota native who is an elite hockey coach in the state of Arizona. Todd has now instructed and coached for over 28 years, with his expertise being in Power Skating, Stick handling and High Performance Skating Clinics. Todd has also coached hundreds of players that have now moved on to Division 1, Major Junior or the NHL. Since coaching in Arizona he has coached at all levels varying from Mite Novice AAA to Midget AAA and Tier 2 Juniors in the WSHL. In addition, Todd carries his Level 4 Advanced Coaching Certification and from 1999-2012 Todd was a USA Hockey Arizona State Camp Evaluator. Todd has always had an extreme passion and knowledge for the game of hockey. Playing since he was a child, he then introduced the game to both of his sons. Currently, Todd is the Executive Director/GM of Team Northwest AAA hockey in addition to being a scout for the Prince George Cougars in the (WHL), Minot Minotauros (NAHL) and Lincoln Stars (USHL). Todd is currently coaching for the Jr. Sun Devils Youth hockey program in Tempe, Arizona.

Tim Newlin –
Tim previously coached at Davenport University. He holds his Level 4 advanced coaching Certification. This is Tim’s 4th year with Team Northwest! Tim has been an instrumental coach in Arizona youth hockey with many championships behind him.

 TNW 2003 Coaches;

Bill (Billy) Doherty –
Bill has been involved with hockey his whole life and has coached for over 36 years. He played for the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL for the Concordia University Stingers from Montreal Quebec. Doherty is a strong motivator who inspires student athletes to be their best. Over 23 years ago he realized his dream and founded Banff Hockey Academy in Alberta. We have been honored to have him coach for Team Northwest in the past and again this year!

Jordan McTaggart –
Jordan is an instructor at Banff Hockey Academy

TNW 2004 Coaches;

Marcus Baxter –
Marcus will be entering his seventh season with the Missoula Maulers organization which is a Jr. team in the Western States Hockey League. During his time with the team, Marcus has compiled an overall record of 192-86-8 (.685%) and during his tenure has been awarded Coach of the Year twice. Prior to his time with the Maulers, Marcus spent two seasons coaching Tier 1 Midget hockey in Colorado. Marcus played Division 1 hockey for the University of Connecticut Huskies and in his first season with UCONN, his teammates voted him the recipient of the Seventh Player Award. Before his college career began, Marcus spent two seasons playing Tier 2 junior hockey in the AWHL for the Bozeman Icedogs. In his second season with Bozeman, Marcus and his teammates took home both the regular season and playoff championships and represented the league in the National Championship Tournament. A native of Pittsburgh, PA Marcus played his youth hockey in numerous cities across North America. Included along his path, were stops in Calgary Alberta, Chicago, Illinois, Saint John New Brunswick and Vail Colorado, where the team competed twice in the Midget Major AAA National Championship Tournament. Marcus lives in Missoula year round with his wife Bridget and their dog Bodie. This is Marcus’s 2nd year with Team Northwest!

Bruce Ericsson –
Bruce has been a long time youth hockey coach level 4, in the state of Arizona for over 16 years. His full time profession is a Dairy Veterinarian established in the early 1980’s out of Chandler, Arizona. Bruce is married to high school sweetheart Dianne and they have 8 children and 1 granddaughter. Bruce and his children have been involved with Team Northwest for many years!

TNW 2005 Coaches;

Jarred Smith –
Jarred is originally from Discovery Bay, CA. He played youth Tier hockey in California winning multiple State Championship Titles. He attend college at Arizona State University. Playing four years of hockey his senior season was capped off with a 5th place finish at Nationals. Jarred graduated in 2012 with a B.A. in Communication and a minor in Media Analysis. Jarred is a coach for the DYHA Jr. Sun Devils (Formerly Phoenix Firebirds) in Tempe, AZ. As the youngest head coach at DYHA, he has earned a USA Hockey Level 4 Coaching Certification and a reputation of developing skills and preparing players for the highest levels of hockey. Coach Jarred excels in teaching skills such as power skating, stick handling, and game situation concepts. Jarred has coached numerous teams to tournament wins and successful winning season from Squirts to Bantams. Jarred works full time for DYHA and Oceanside Ice Arena in Tempe, AZ. This is Coach Jarred’s first year with Team Northwest!

Clay Van Diest –
Freshman on the National NCAA Division III Runner-Up St. Norbert Green Nights and a 94 TNW alumni. Finished this last season playing in 29 of 31 games, including every playoff game and the National Championship. Played the previous 3 seasons in the MJHL for the Portage Terriers and the Virden Oil Capitals. Three Time Recipient of the Community Spirit Award for both the Portage Terriers and Virden Oil Capitals. Current Head Coach of the 2001 Green Bay Hornets Spring League Hockey Team and head Athletic Trainer for the Helena High School Football and Women’s Soccer Team Summer Program. Two Years Assistant Coach at Notre Dame Hounds Summer Hockey School.

TNW 2006 Coaches;

Nick Fuher –
Nick is a Team Northwest 1981 birth-year alumni, originally from Grand Forks, North Dakota. He has been with the TNW program for many years as a player and coach. We welcome Nick back to the program!
Fuher spent the 2001-2005 seasons with the Fighting Sioux of North Dakota, appearing in the 2005 NCAA National Championship game. After his AHL career with the Utah Grizzlies, Fuher began his coaching career in Lincoln (USHL, and Winkler (MJHL) before joining the Vees for the 2014-2015 season. Nick will be entering into his 3rd season with the Penticton Vees Jr. A Hockey team in the BCHL. Fuher primarily works with the Vees defense and special teams units.

Andrew Boudreau –
Andrew is an instructor at Banff Hockey Academy