As of August 1st, 2024, Chad Taylor has been hired as the head coach of the U13 AAA Yaks.
Coach Taylor hails from Newdale, MB and spent the 2023-2024 season with the Neepawa Titans of the Manitoba Junior Hockey league (MJHL) as a U18 scout.
Taylor was also the head coach for the U18 AAA Yellowhead Chiefs this past season and was the head coach of Yellowhead Chiefs U15 AAA program two seasons ago.
“I believe the Yaks is an excellent fit for me as a new team and program in the community,” said Chad Taylor. “It offers an exciting opportunity to build something from the ground up and be the first coach of this program.
Coach Taylor’s chosen defining phrase is, “All gas no breaks.” A fitting philosophy for a program that is aiming for the top while fostering an elite development system to aid players in turning their dreams into goals.
“I am a driven and accomplished head hockey coach with a proven history of fostering a strong team culture and maximizing player performance,” said Taylor.
“As an accomplished player with a history of success, I understand the importance of trusting the process to achieve results.”
Associate general manager Neil Langridge noted that with this new partnership, the Pontiacs wanted to make sure that the new program hit a home run with the hiring of the New U13 AAA Yaks head coach.
“Chad will be a welcome addition to the Pontiacs and Yaks Family, as well as our community,” said Neil Langridge. “Parents will want to have their young athletes involved in this program now more then ever and the development and competition will be second to none for all those involved.”
Neil Langridge went on to state that Chad Taylor brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his coaching resume from U13 to U18 and his coaching experience will be a huge addition to the U13 programs inaugural year.
“It’s not often that our local U13 Players have the opportunity to be coached and taught by a coach of Chad’s pedigree and who led a team in the Manitoba U18 AAA league last season,” said Langridge.
To answer the natural wonder of what to expect from a new bench boss, coach Taylor noted that Bonnyville and the surrounding Lakeland community can expect someone who arrives motivated and prepared to work hard.
He is enthusiastic about development and highly dedicated to fostering a strong culture within the team & community.
“I am excited to share my passion for hockey,” said coach Taylor. “This is something I truly enjoy. I love teaching the game and passing along my knowledge. I am excited to help develop players both at and away from the rink.”
With development in focus, coach Taylor noted that the partnership with the Pontiacs gives Yaks players access to the same resources available to the Jr. A program, which will be highly beneficial as the season progresses.
The Junior A Pontiacs will support development, strength and conditioning, and much more. This offers players at the U13 AAA level a valuable glimpse into the Pontiacs Jr. A program.
Apart from Chad’s involvement in the U13 Yaks AAA program, Chad Taylor will also join the Junior A Pontiacs as an assistant coach this upcoming fall.
“We are excited to add Chad Taylor to our staff,” said Pontiacs head coach Ayrton Nikkel. “Chad has a plethora of hockey knowledge and has worked with players of all ages for a number of years.
“I believe he will bring an exceptional work ethic with an ability to teach fine details of the game while strengthening the culture of the Pontiacs.”
Tryouts for the U13AAA Yaks will be held on August 17 and 18th, 2024. You can register now here: U13 AAA Yaks Registration