AN ELITE HOCKEY
ACADEMY

West Coast Academy is about helping young athletes reach the highest levels in hockey and in life. We care about helping kids become better athletes, students, and human beings. Our program was developed by coaches who know what it takes to succeed in hockey and in life. Because of that, what we provide is unrivaled.

DEAN CABAN

Dean has been coaching for over 18 years. He was a head skating instructor at Edge of Excellence for 15 years, and a head coach with Pursuit of Excellence for 12 years. Dean has worked with players from around the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Many of the players Dean has worked with have gone on to have professional careers in hockey. Dean is an expert in skating, and has spent countless hours analyzing skating technique, which has helped him quickly hone in on the specific skills players need to skate their best. He also has expertise in both offensive and defensive skills that include puck skills, shooting, deception, and more, which helps him provide effective training to hockey players regardless of their needs. An expert in the field of youth coaching, Dean is world-renowned for using his expertise to help young hockey players reach their fullest potential.

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KEVIN BIEKSA

A hockey personality with recognition all over North America, Kevin has played professional hockey for 15 years, 13 of which were in the NHL.  Kevin played for the Vancouver Canucks for 10 years before joining Orange County’s own Anaheim Ducks, where he played for 3 years. In addition, Kevin is proud to have represented Canada several times Internationally, including being selected team Captain at the 2014 IIHF World Championships in Minsk, Belarus.
 
Currently, Kevin is Director of Elite Defensemen Mentorship for KO sports, Inc., a boutique hockey agency that assists the world’s best hockey players excel in their careers. During his time in the NHL, Kevin mentored younger players in order to strengthen his teams. Additionally, he’s been a broadcaster and analyst for both Sportsnet and Hockey Night in Canada. With a passion for mentorship and seeing the next generation of talent thrive, Kevin has built a personal brand that exhibits both unequaled mastery of the game, and a dedication to helping others excel. 

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ON-ICE CONSULTANT
DEREK POPKE

Derek Popke is the founder and president of Vancouver Hockey School Ltd. As a hockey skating consultant, Popke has worked on-ice with the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs (2009-2014), ECHL Victoria Salmon Kings, BCHL Penticton Vees, MML GV Canadians, CSSHL St. Georges Saints, and numerous minor hockey associations. In 2009, a record 19 players who skate with Popke were drafted in the WHL Bantam Draft. As one of the lower mainland’s most respected skating coaches, over 50 of Popke’s skating clients have been selected in the NHL draft in the past 7 years. Popke spent 10 seasons with Seafair Minor Hockey as Director of Player Development (2007-2017). During his time with Seafair, the association grew from 375 to over 800 members. In 2018-2019 Popke joined the Vancouver Thunderbirds as a Hockey Advisor. Most recently, he was a key note speaker on hockey skating at The Coaches Site Coaching Conference featuring top coaches from around the world.

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WHERE WE TRAIN

All our training takes place at the world-class
facility at Great Park Ice

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