Feb 18, 2025 | HLankin | 1936 views
Barrie AAA ZONE 2025-26 Head Coaches
The Barrie AAA Zone Hockey Association is happy to announce our Head Coaches for the 2025-2026 season.
Congratulations to those selected, we appreciate your dedication to our program.
U10 – Brandon Cordua
U11 – David Easterbrook
U12 – Rob Crittenden
U13 – Andrew Shennan
U14 – Blair Sherrit
U15 – Chris McNamara
U16 – Andrea Rinaldi
U18 – Kevin Thompson
We would like to thank all of the applicants for their interest in coaching with Barrie AAA. We hope to work with several of you in the future.
We would also like to thank the Coach Selection Committee for their time and efforts in the selection process.
Below is a little more information about our 2025-26 coaches:
U10 – BRANDON CORDUA
Brandon, what is your hockey playing background?
• -Played hockey NCAA Southern Maine Huskies – 4 years (2 years was named assistant captain)
• -Played 3 years Jr A in the OPJHL – Asst Captain for 3rd year with the Oakville Blades
Brandon, what is your coaching background?
• -Asst Coach 2 years NCAA Southern Maine Huskies
• -Asst Coach 6 years Jr A – OPJHL – Oakville Blades / Toronto Jr Canadians and Toronto Patriots
• -Coach / Asst Coach 10 years GTHL – Toronto Nats / Toronto Titans & North York Rangers
Brandon, what are your coaching accomplishments ?
• -Jr A – OPJHL – 2014- Central Ontario Champions (Dudley Hewitt Cup Champs and Buckland Cup Champions) – Competed in Canadian Jr A National Championships Vernon BC, top 6 teams out of 167 teams across Canada
• -Jr A – OPJHL – 2010 - Central Ontario Champions (Dudley Hewitt Cup Champs and Buckland Cup Champions) – Competed in Canadian Jr A National Championships Dauphine MB, top 6 teams out of 167 teams across Canada
• -GTHL – 3 appearances OHL Cup with U-16 teams
• -Tournament wins U-16 – Peterborough Steve Richey Champs 2025
- Kingston Gulls Tournament winners 2023
- Waterloo winners 2021
Brandon, do you have any personal accomplishments?
• proud to have over 10 players playing in the OHL that I had the pleasure to work with 2006 age group – also 3 have been drafted to the NHL in the 2024 NHL draft
U11 – DAVID EASTERBROOK
David, what is your hockey playing background?
U9-U18 - MTHL/GTHL - Mississauga Senators, Mississauga Reps, Toronto Nationals and Mississauga Rebels
• OPJHL - Mississauga Chargers 3 seasons
• High School - Our Lady of Mount Carmel winning OFFSAA in my senior year - one of my biggest accomplishments
• Lindenwood University - 4 years for the D1 program
David, can you please tell me your coaching background?
• PASS Hockey School based out of Westwood Arenas from 1999 - 2003 - Finished as Lead Hockey Instructor concentrating on power skating/edges, puck handling and shooting skills - Trained all 3 Subban Brothers
• HockeyIncorporated - Head Instructor from 2007-2012 - Private and Group Lessons mainly as well as Summer Hockey Camps working with AA/AAA players
• Humber Valley Sharks 2005's Head Coach - 2015 - 2022 (U11 to U18) Non Parent Coach
• Barrie U11BB 2021/2022 Head Coach (YSHL runner up)
• Barrie U12A 2022/2023 Head Coach (Won YSHL Championships)
• Barrie U13A White 2023/2024 Head Coach (Won YSHL Championships)
• Barrie U10 AAA Colts 2024/25 Head Coach
What is your coaching philosophy?
My Main coaching philosophy is to try and get the best out of every single player on the team as well as the coaching staff and parents. Hockey is a fun Game and everyone participating regardless of the level should be excited to come to the rink for practices, games and team events. I like to focus on what we can control as individuals and as a team and bring the best effort possible to each and every team event.
Finally, what is your favourite hockey moment?
My Favorite Hockey moment is winning the OFFSAA championship with the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Crusaders in my senior year and being honored as the Captain and MVP of the team
U12 – ROB CRITTENDEN
Rob, what is your hockey playing background?
From U9 to U16 I played for Barrie AAA and then continued on to play in the OPJHL for the next 5 years with the Collingwood Blues and the Couchiching Terriers. I tallied a total of 137 points and 371 penalty minutes.
What is your coaching philosophy?
My main coaching philosophy this year was to focus on creating a positive environment and culture for my athletes to learn to play hockey. This begins with the coaching staff. Coaches are here to support, teach and guide these young athletes to the best of their ability. My main goal is to ensure that when I’m coaching and teaching that I do it in a positive way. Building confidence and never singling out a child for making a mistake. Mistakes happen and they will continue to happen. However, it is how we handle the mistakes and turn them into teachable moments. Learning from mistakes can only help continue to build confidence in my athletes as they learn and grow with the game. We want to set the team up for success by playing their best hockey.
I truly believe in what you put into your practice, is what you get out. We will be running fast-paced practices. My athletes will be a highly conditioned team so that they can continue to compete as the season continues. I set a high expectation that all my athletes come to practices and games ready to compete and give everything they have when with their teammates.
I am a coach first. I want to continue to develop the team’s skill and knowledge of the game. I am not focused on short term solutions and success in terms of wins presently. We are coaching for progress and to build the foundations of hockey in every athlete. I am building for the end of the season and the future of these athletes.
Hockey is more than just a game on the ice. Developing off-ice ambassadors is important to our association and coaching staff. We will help ensure the boys understand the importance of professionalism, commitment and attitude as it applies to a high-level team environment. The team will work towards one common goal, and they all play an important role in the team’s success. This starts with who they are off the ice. A team that is respectful and kind when out in the community and as a coaching staff we will ensure that the boys are aware of how they represent each other and the organization.
Lastly, having fun. My goal above all else is to ensure these boys enjoy coming to the rink and playing hockey. We know the boys love to play hockey, but when they love playing hockey with their friends while having fun, that is what hockey is about.
Rob, what is your best hockey memory?
One hockey memory that I still remember to this day is sitting in the dressing room in Burlington. We just lost in the final game before the U16OHL cup by a late goal. The whole team was down, and we all just sat there. After a period of time one coach says the “sun will shine tomorrow”. This memory has always stuck with me because even in the moments of defeat there will always be better days that make up for the tough ones.
U13 – ANDREW SHENNAN
Andrew, what is your playing background?
I Played in the OHL for the Barrie Colts 2001-2004. In 1997-1998, I won the AAA OMHA championship.
Andrew, what is your coaching background?
I was an assistant coach for the 2023/2024 season with the Barrie colts AA, won The Silver Stick and the OMHA Championship. Head coach of the Barrie AAA U12 and won the Hamilton Steel tournament in Jan 2025
Andrew, what is your coaching philosophy?
I believe in team play and accountability to make a team strong.
Coach Shenny, what is your favorite hockey memory?
Bing able to play 5 years at the OHL level. Winning 2 OMHA Redhats as a kid and being able to coach a team and win a OMHA Redhat in the 2023/2024 season
U14 – BLAIR SHERRIT
Coach Blair, what is your hockey playing history?
• 4 years as a player in Junior A hockey in the OPJHL
• 3 years in the OUA at Laurentian University
• OUA alll star. 1998 & 1999
• Played minor pro for Binghamton in the UHL
Blair, what is your coaching history?
• Head Coach for 10 years
• OMHA Champions - 2022,2023,2024
• Barrie AAA Challenge Cup Champions
• 2021,2022,2023,2024
• Niagara Challenge Cup Champions
• 2022
• Buffalo Cup Champions
• 2022, 2023
• 1st place OMHA regular season
• 2021,2022,2023,2024
• Team acknowledged at the Barrie sports Hall of fame.
Coach Blair, what is your coaching philosophy?
Make mistakes fast. Solutions will create development.
Blair, what is your favourite hockey memory?
Is having both my boys realize a goal by winning red hats in the same year.
The last 4 years my team has tallied the below record:
212 wins
17 losses
14 tie
U15 – CHRIS MCNAMARA
Coach Chris, what is your hockey playing experience?
• Professional Hockey Player EIHL (2004-2005), Won the Treble Title (3 Championships Within the Season), Led the League in Power Play Points
• Professional Hockey Player in the AHL & ECHL (2001-2003)
• Division 1 US College Full Athletic Scholarship Hockey Player Lake Superior State (1997 - 2001), Captain Senior Year
• Tier 2 Junior A Hockey Player Newmarket Hurricanes (1995 - 1997), Captain in Last Year
o Went to the Royal Bank Cup National Tournament my Rookie Year
Chris, what is your coaching background?
• Head Coach U14 AAA Barrie Colts
• Head Coach, U13 AAA Barrie Colts
• Assistant Coach, U11 AAA Barrie Colts
• Assistant Coach, U10 AAA Barrie Colts
• High Performance 1 Certified
• Coach Development 1 Certified
• Coach 2 Certified
• HU Online Checking
• HU Online Coach 1 Certified
• HCSO Trainer Level 1
Coach Chris, what is your Coaching Philosophy?
Be intentionally simple; earn the respect of the players through honesty and fairness and in return demand hard work, good/positive attitudes and attention to detail.
Chris, what is your favourite hockey memory?
In my last year of professional hockey our team won the EIHL Regular Season, EIHL Challenge Cup and EIHL Playoffs all in 1 Season, which had never been accomplished before.
U16 – ANDREA RINALDI
Andrea, what is your hockey playing background?
I am very lucky to have played my minor hockey with Barrie from Novice AAA to Midget AAA
Andrea, what are your coaching accomplishments?
Having coached the 2010 AAA Barrie Colts for 6 years, I have witnessed firsthand what can be achieved through teamwork, dedication, and specialized development both on and off the ice which resulted in winning 2 OMHA Championships as well as reaching the Semi-Finals at the U14 OHL Cup
Andrea, what are your thoughts on the Barrie AAA development team?
Barrie AAA has integrated an exceptional development team, including: Paul Matheson (Toronto Maple Leaf’s & Barrie Colts OHL Skating Coach), Zach McCullough (Hockey Canada Master Skills Coach Delegate, Hockey Canada U17 Development Defense Coach & OHL Barrie Colts Development Coach), Greg & Jeremy Redquest Goaltending Development and specialized off-ice training.
Andrea, what are your thoughts on being named the U 16 coach for the 2025-26 season?
I am thrilled to have been selected to coach the Barrie Colts U16 AAA team for the 2025/2026 season. The U16 year in Ontario will be filled with excitement, pressure, regular season, great tournaments, and playoffs.
U18 – KEVIN THOMPSON
TBA