Management & Staff

Justin Simpkins, Director

Scott King, Director of Player Dev.

Lorne Molleken, Director of Coach Dev.

Erik Robitaille, Director of Hockey Operations

Dustin Friesen, Director of Performance & U18 Prep Head Coach

Barret Kropf, General Manager & U15 Prep Head Coach

Rob Holoien, U17 Prep White Head Coach

Trey Doell, U17 Prep Blue Head Coach

Chad Davidson, Assistant Coach

Darryl Osborn, Video/Analytics Coach & Assistant Business Operations

Matt Weninger, Goaltender Development Coach

Director 📧

Founder and Director of the Prairie Hockey Academy, Justin Simpkins first developed the AAA Crusader program in Caronport in 2009.  His mission and goal was to work at developing a program that was dedicated to inspiring more than just athletes, but life champions with a heart first approach to hockey development on and off the ice. 

Justin is active in leading his team in the vision and execution of PHA.  His commitment and investment to the program is exemplified in his approach to the young athletes that each and every one of them feel connection, respected and valued on the team as an athlete and person.  

“The heart of Prairie Hockey Academy, is to create an authentic community that welcomes student athletes in and lets them know that they are loved and cared for, for who they are and not what they do.”

Justin resides in Moose Jaw with his wife, two daughters and son.

Director of player development 📧

Growing up in Saskatoon, Scott King developed his love of the game while playing minor hockey throughout many rinks all over Saskatchewan. After a year with the Calgary Royals (AJHL), he was recruited by Boston University, where he played one season in the NCAA League in 1995-1996.  He than played with the Kelowna Rockets (WHL) for the 1996-1997 season, scoring 97 points in 68 games and was named "Rookie of the Year".   The following year King signed with the Montreal Canadiens (NHL) and went on to play four seasons in the American Hockey League and East Coast Hockey League, being named an American Hockey League All-Star and both Scoring Champion and Most Valuable Player in the ECHL.

King then spent the next 14 years playing professional hockey in Germany where he was a five time All-Star and is the sixth all-time leader in scoring.  King was selected five times to play for and represent Canada at the Deutschland Cup, and was part of Canada’s Championship Teams in both 2005 and 2008.

Before returning to Canada, King spent two years as a Skills Development Instructor in Germany throughout the 2013 to 2015 seasons.  He has completed Hockey Canada’s Hockey University Coaching and Safety Modules.   King has also travelled internationally attending hockey programs in Sweden, Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Japan.

From 2015 to 2016,  King was Hockey Canada’s Head Skills Development Coach.  Following this prestigious role, he joined the Moose Jaw Warriors as the Assistant Coach as well as the Director of Player Development.  

We are very pleased and honoured to have Scott join our hockey family and program as he carries on the position of the Director of Player Development with the Prairie Hockey Academy. 

Scott resides in Moose Jaw with his wife, and their son & daughter.  

Director of COach Development and u16 prep head coach 📧

Lorne brings an incredible hockey resume to Prairie Hockey Academy’s staff. As a goaltender Lorne played in four professional leagues in his career, ultimately hanging up his glove and blocker in 1985 and picking up his whistle Lorne began his coaching career. Lorne has served his players as a head coach in the SJHL, WHL, AHL, and the NHL. Lorne agreed to come to Prairie Hockey Academy in early 2019 to coach an age group that he had never coached before. Lorne was eager for the “opportunity to work with and mentor a group of young student-athletes and coaches and foster development on and off the ice.”

“For me, Prairie Hockey Academy’s vision of creating young hockey players of integrity and character and how they go about everything they do in a professional way makes this a very unique and special place. Something that I want to continue to be a part of.” - Lorne Molleken

Lorne’s maturity and immense hockey knowledge provide value to all who have the honour of learning from him.

Director of Hockey Operations 📧

Erik has spent countless hours in the Barkman arena as a Briercrest Clipper, Spring Hockey coach, Director of Caronport’s Spring 3 on 3 leagues, Director of Spring recreational hockey in Caronport, and since its foundation in 2017, Prairie Hockey Academy’s Director of Hockey Operations. Erik was awarded top defenseman twice within three seasons while playing for the Briercrest Clippers (2012-2015). In addition, Erik has over 15 years of experience coaching young athletes from the ages of 5 to 20 in various situations on and off the ice and has coached in every male division in the CSSHL. His extensive hockey knowledge and experience are a tremendous asset to the program. 

Erik resides in Caronport with his wife and daughter.

Director of Performance & u18 prep head Coach 📧

Dustin joins Prairie Hockey Academy after a long professional playing career. His playing resume includes WHL, CIS, ECHL, AHL, DEL2, and most recently, the DEL. Throughout his career, Dustin has consistently been selected for a leadership role on almost every team he played. He has also had success on the ice, having won two National Championships at the University of New Brunswick and a Defenseman of the Year league award in Germany.

Dustin understands what it means to be a student-athlete, being a double degree graduate from UNB. He holds his Bachelors in Education as well as Recreation and Sport Studies. He has an incredible passion for young student-athletes and helps them develop in the classroom, as individuals, on the ice and off-ice. This will be evident in his character, work ethic and preparation.

On top of his head coaching role, he will take on the Director of Performance at PHA. During the summer months, Dustin has trained many Midget, Junior and Professional athletes in the gym. He has also spent time as a Skills coach and Power Skating for junior and youth programs in Germany over the last number of years.

General Manager & U15 Prep head coach 📧

Barret is originally from Estevan, SK and had previously spent time in Caronport, SK. He joins PHA with a wealth of coaching experience from around the world. For the last ten years, Barret has been the Head Coach at Trinity Western University where he took that program from a BC collegiate league into the CanadaWest Conference in U Sports. 

Kropf has a resume when it comes to coaching. One interesting fact that many may not know is that Kropf led a U18 AA Caronport Cougar team to a league championship at one time and now comes full circle back to coaching the PHA Cougars. Since then, Kropf worked with the Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL) and was the chaplain for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League for seven years and has worked with Athletes in Action for over 18 years. Barret was also the head coach of the Briercrest Clippers (ACAC) from 2003 to 2006. Following the 2005-06 season, he was named the ACAC Coach of the Year. After leaving Briercrest, he was the Assistant Coach with the Czech National World Junior Female team, winning a bronze medal at the 2006 World Championships. Kropf went on to be the Head Coach of Team Sask Female team at the 2011 Nationals Championship, and assistant coach with them in 2010 and 2012. He has more than 20 years of coaching experience, in places such as Czech Republic, Russia, Slovakia, and Kazakhstan.

“The opportunity at PHA to be at the other end of the development funnel and prepare athletes for junior hockey is an exciting project that we look forward to. The leadership and staff in Caronport have built something special on the prairies; a ‘field of dreams’ situation that provides all the tools a player needs to move to the next level. Our family is passionate about developing leaders on and off the ice, and we can’t wait to get our boots on the ground to serve alongside the staff and athletes, pushing towards the edge of excellence in every area!”

U17 Prep Blue HEad Coach 📧

Trey is born and raised in Grande Prairie, Alberta. Trey started out his young career through the Grande Prairie system but has also played in the KIJHL with the Kimberley Dynamiters and ended his final 2 years of Juniors in the SJHL playing for La Ronge Ice Wolves.

Trey is a recent graduate of the Briercrest Hockey team. Having been around the school for the last few years, Trey has had the opportunity to get to know some of our student-athletes and staff while watching our growth.

Trey brings our team a strong work ethic on the ice and in the gym. He desires to learn from our staff and develop as a young coach while investing in the young men attending PHA.

Assistant Coach 📧

Chad was born and raised in Edmonton Alberta where he would also play out his minor hockey with the Knights of Columbus and the Canadian Athletics Club. Chad went on to play his Jr. Hockey in both the KIJHL and NEAJBHL.  After completing his junior hockey career, Chad still had a desire to play hockey at a competitive level, while getting an education. He would find Briercrest College and play with the Clippers for five years where he had the opportunity to be an assistant captain for two of those years. Chad has graduated from Briercrest with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Through his journey of attaining a psychology degree, he has come to realize the importance of mental strength in athletics. 

Chad has always taken pride in being a hardworking team-first player and is excited for the opportunity to transition that ‘culture’ from player to coach.

 Chad is passionate about the game of hockey and is eager to work alongside like-minded players and coaches to help others fulfill their goals.  

Video/Analytics coach, Assistant Business Operations & Equipment Manager 📧

Darryl is a lifelong hockey fan, and multi-sport high school athlete. Darryl combines strong hockey knowledge with analytical and video experience to provide in game analysis and statistical trends to the coaching staff, and players. Darryl started working with Prairie Hockey in 2017 as an intern, and has been providing value to his colleagues and student-athletes ever since.