Staff

U18 Head Coach: Kelvin Cech

Kelvin joined KHA in the spring of 2024 after five years spent in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, three as the General Manager and Head Coach of the expansion Niverville Nighthawks, and two as the Head Coach of the Winkler Flyers. He won coach of the year honours with Winkler in 2020, his first season in the MJHL. Prior to that Kelvin spent four years as assistant coach with the UBC Thunderbirds Men's Hockey Team, which followed four years with the Vancouver North West Giants in the BCMML. Kelvin has coached, recruited, and managed multiple routes in the minor hockey spectrum, dealing with players in the major junior path as well as the Canadian Junior A route. He believes strongly that everyone has their own development path and coaches individual humans based on their respective needs and styles. 

In 2024 Kelvin won a gold medal as an Assistant Coach with Team Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge in Truro, Nova Scotia.

Kelvin has also been a long-time contributor to The Coaches Site, an online resource for hockey coaches all over the world. Originally from Edmonton, Kelvin is excited to be closer to family in Alberta while also settling into life in the Kootenays.

"The move back to BC has been ideal. It's the perfect place to enjoy nature and being surrounded with such a strong culture really places KHA at the front of the line when it comes to up and coming programs in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest." - Kelvin Cech

U18 Assistant Coach: Carter Spring

U18 Trainer/Assistant Coach: Dawson Pelletier

Dawson joined KHA for its inaugural season in 2023. He is a proud Cranbrook native and a dedicated hockey trainer and coach who brings a wealth of experience and passion to the rink. A lifelong member of the Cranbrook community, Dawson played hockey locally, where he developed a deep love for the game and a strong connection to the sport’s rich tradition in the area.

As a coach, Dawson is committed to helping players reach their fullest potential—whether that’s through conditioning, skill development, or mental preparation. His approach is rooted in a belief that the game is about more than just physical ability; it’s about character, faith, and the relationships you build on and off the ice.

Known for his positive attitude and enthusiasm, Dawson enjoys sharing his Christian faith with his teammates and others, using his platform to inspire those around him to lead lives of integrity, respect, and compassion. Dawson has been honoured to be apart of KHA and looks forward to the growth of its culture.

Program Director: Nathan Lieuwen