About us
About BAC Hockey
Hockey & Mental Health
Hockey, and Hockey Development should go far beyond the arena. In part of refining skills, and becoming a better player is developing strong character and being able to handle adverse situations, that is why the focus of BAC Hockey will always be the following.
Battle
an extended contest, struggle, or controversy
At BAC Hockey, we do that. We will battle in many of our small area games, whether it’s a tiny space 1 on 1 battle, or a 3 on 3 cross ice game, there will be battle every ice time.
Adversity
a state or instance of serious or continued
difficulty or misfortune
In the rink, and in life we will undoubtedly at some turn go through adversity. Being able to handle these situations at school, at home, at the arena, wherever it be will continue to further develop character, and enhance our skillset as an athlete. Players at BAC Hockey will be pushed to the edge of their comfort zone whether it’s in a challenging situational skill station, or an exhaustive battle against an opponent. Players will learn to excel when things get hard.
Creativity
to produce through imaginative skill
In order to succeed in battle, and handle adversity – we need creativity. We have to find different ways to do things, different avenues of success. Creativity is about trying new things. At BAC Hockey, whether it’s a new skill, a new deceptive move, a different look on a release, whatever it is… this will be done every time players step out onto the ice. Creativity will always be encouraged, never discouraged.
About us
Staff / Instructors
BAC HOCKEY FAMILY
As a coach, it’s important to surround yourself with good people, and build a strong staff. With that, many of our instructors will be former players of mine, or guys I’ve spent time coaching with that believe in the three things BAC is about. 1. Battle 2. Adversity 3. Creativity. Here are some of the instructors you will see around BAC Hockey!
Chris “Lanks” Langkow
Hockey Position - Center
Absolutely thrilled to announce Chris Langkow has decided to join the staff of BAC Hockey. “Lanks” has and continues to enjoy a very successful professional hockey career. From the backyards, and ponds of Vegreville, Alberta to the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers where he won Western Canadian Championships, then absolutely torching the newly minted 15AAA league at the time with 97 points in 32 games, a record I still don’t believe has been touched. He then was AMHL player of the year before departing on a four year Western Hockey League Career. Professionally, Chris has had stops in the ECHL where he won a Kelly Cup Championship in Alaska after leading his team in playoff scoring as a rookie. “Lanks” then spent a few seasons playing in both the AHL, and ECHL before having to battle back from missing just about an entire year with injury. That didn’t stop him, thanks to his unrelenting passion for the game, and ability to fight, and battle. Since his return, he’s spent time in the ECHL, AHL and now has settled overseas in Europe. Chris will skate with the older group, and help coach with the younger guys. This man has been through it all, and seen it all throughout his career, and I am thrilled to have him on board to pass along his knowledge, and experience.
Nick Symon
Staff - Head Coach
Nick is currently in his 2nd season as the Head Coach of the Bantam AAA Calgary Royals in the AMBHL. Before moving to the Royals BAAA team, spent 4 years at the Bantam AA level, all with Royals White & in total has spent 10 years coaching in minor hockey. Nick has also been a part of three Alberta Cups, most recently with Team Central last year. Nick works and has lived in Calgary all his life, growing up and playing hockey in the NE. Nick is looking forward to the opportunity with BAC this summer!
Tyler Oswald
Hockey Position - Goaltender
Often times goaltenders can be forgotten about a bit when it comes to skill development and practice with players, but not here. We are very excited to welcome Tyler Oswald to BAC Hockey. With an extensive background playing in the MJHL, WHL and suiting up for Team Canada U17, Tyler brings a wealth of knowledge to goaltenders. In addition to strengths working with goaltenders, Tyler has a great eye and mind for the game of hockey, he is very detail orientated and has a passion for hockey that is unmatched. Tyler will be an exceptional addition to any icetime for both players, and goalies.
Ryely McKinstry
Hockey Position - Defenseman
BAC Hockey is thrilled to announce the addition of Ryely to our staff. Ryely played two years for me in Bantam AAA and he just gets it. Always joked with him because he was so wise and mature beyond his years. He’s one of those players as coaches, you just feel grateful for having the opportunity to spend time and work with. So, to have Ryely join our team at BAC, I couldn’t be more excited. As he begins a new chapter in his career, as a hockey coach, there is no doubt he will begin to shape the lives of many young players for years to come.
Tyler Helfrich
Hockey Position - Right Wing
Very excited to announce the addition of “Fridge” to our team at BAC. As a very skilled, gifted player, Tyler had a very successful playing career, making stops in the BCHL, NCAA and ECHL where he put up numbers the entire way. “Fridge” has a lot of knowledge, skill and creativity to share with players, who can’t say enough good things about him. As well, he is a great advocate for his players, using many of his connections he’s created along his journey to help his players reach the next level, and achieve their goals.
Shane “Coach Shaner” Lust
Hockey Position - Forward
Very proud to announce Shane Lust to our team of instructors. Having worked with Shane within the Northstars, I couldn’t wait to get him on our team here at BAC. Players absolutely love “Coach Shaner” he brings laughter, and joy with him all the time and as players, you can’t help but have fun working with Coach Shane. With a couple championships under his belt playing, Shane is a proven winner who knows what Battle, and Adversity is all about. As a bonus… he’s also the all time leading scorer at SAIT! (just ask him) – We are very thrilled to have someone like Shane join our team. A coach I can guarantee players will learn from, and have so much fun doing so.
CoaCh Blair
Blair has long had a passion of coaching hockey, even as a player growing up he always kind of knew he wanted to coach, and work with players. In the last 12+ years, Blair has worked with various programs in Calgary from Minor Midget AAA, Bantam AAA and Midget AAA. In that time, he’s been fortunate enough to work with some excellent hockey players, and learn a bit from each and every player.
His philosophy is simply to create environments where players enjoy being on the ice, are always smiling, and having fun. When this environment is created, the sky is the limit for development. Players will learn, and they will work hard as a result of simply enjoying themselves, and being motivated. Blair’s Icetimes are often very competitive, yet very fun for players – they always will include competition, skill and decision making.
Currently, Blair is the head coach of the Calgary Midget AAA Northstars, as well he is a regional scout for the WHLs Prince Albert Raiders. When he’s not at the rink… just ask his wife, he’s usually then at home watching hockey clips, rewinding highlights continually and madly talking to himself, and writing notes, to eventually create a drill on that particular play. Creativity is not just important for players, but for coaches as well!
Coach Blair has been married to his beautiful wife Amanda, also his high school sweetheart as the two began dating in Grade 9. Despite Blair’s earlier attempt of asking her out in Grade 7, when he rejected he asked again in Grade 9, and the two have been together ever since. Together, Blair & Amanda have a beautiful home with three beautiful “furr dudes”; Pug Basset Hound named Kona, Maine Coon Manx named Kukui, and a Persian Ragdoll named Stitch
