SIGNED

Our own Rachel Halldorson representing with Team Manitoba

Our own Rachel Halldorson representing with Team Manitoba

Our own Rachel Halldorson representing with Team Manitoba

Sam Strassburger Assistant Coach 2023/2024 BIO: Let me introduce myself, my name is Sam Strassburger and this will be my second year as Assistant Coach with the U18 Female Interlake Lightning. I am a graduate from Nipissing University with a Bachelor of Physical Health and Education where I played 5 years varsity hockey for the Nipissing Lakers in the OUA. While playing for Nipissing I was a Quest for Gold Recipient for multiple years which gave me my first look at coaching as I volunteered to coach U16 Team Ontarios for the Canada Winter Games. I am currently back in school finishing up massage therapy and hope to use that profession in the sports world. Coaching has been a way for me to give back to the hockey community and to keep my self in the arena! I have a great passion for helping educate and develop the girls for that next level in life, both as an athlete and person!

Assistant Coach - Sam Brownell BIO: Sam started playing hockey more than 20 years ago and has played every chance he’s had since. A lifelong defenseman, he uses his size and vision to drive play up the ice and put together a 200-foot game. Off the ice, Sam played both rugby and football at high levels, winning provincial championships in both. Sam’s coaching experience comes on the rugby pitch, where he led St. Paul’s High School to multiple provincial championships in his time with the team. He also helped coach the Dauphin Mavericks Rugby Club in its return to Rugby Manitoba last season. Outside of sports, Sam works in radio, currently as a reporter for 680 CJOB and Global News. He was formerly the News Director at 730 CKDM in Dauphin, and hosted a daily agriculture show called AgriView, the Noon Hour Edition. In his spare time, Sam can be found playing golf and tennis, or at his family’s cabin in Victoria Beach. “I’m excited to be a part of such an incredible program. Hockey has been a big part of my life, and can’t wait to share my love of the game with others.

Goalie Coach - Rachel Dyck

Trainer - Eryn Stewart BIO: My name is Eryn Stewart and I am in my 3rd season as the Interlake Lightning U18 female trainer. I recently graduated with my Masters in Physiotherapy in 2023. I grew up playing hockey in Stonewall, playing U15 AAA with the Interlake Ice, and then playing U18 AAA with the Central Plains Capitals where we won the league championship and went to the Esso Cup in 2015. For university I attended the State University of New York at Oswego where I played 4 years of Division III hockey and graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2020. I enjoy giving back to the hockey community that helped me when I was growing up, and I love working with talented young athletes to get them to their full potential in sport and life!