Current Section
U18 Head Coach - Todd Jones
Todd Jones is a Thunder Bay, Ontario native whose coaching credentials include:
- Assistant Coach – University of Nebraska-Omaha (CCHA, 2004-2009);
- Assistant Coach – University of Alaska-Fairbanks (CCHA, 2001-2004);
- Head Coach/GM - Fernie Ghostriders (AWHL, 2000-2001);
- Head Coach - Thunder Bay Flyers (USHL, 1999-2000); and
- Assistant Coach - Sioux City Musketeers (USHL, 1997-1998).
During his playing career, Coach Jones was the goalie for the:
- University of North Dakota (WCHA, 1991-1994);
- New Westminster Royals (BCJHL, 1989-1991 - Wally Forslund Memorial Trophy winner); and
- Penticton Knights (BCJHL, 1988-1989).
Coach Jones currently resides in Omaha along with his wife (Ramona) and their son (Xavier).
U16 Head Coach - David Wilkie
Coach Wilkie is a native of Ellensburg, Washington. Wilkie’s junior hockey was played with the Omaha Lancer’s in 1990-91, and from there he moved on to play Major Junior A with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League (1990-1991). In 1991-92, he joined the WHL ranks full time with the Kamloops Blazers. After a successful season with Kamloops, Wilkie was seen as one of the top upcoming defensive prospects for the 1992 NHL Entry Draft and was selected in the 1st round, 20th overall by the Montreal Canadiens.
The following season Wilkie returned to the Blazers and made his international debut representing the U.S. in the 1993 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship. The 1993–1994 season saw Wilkie split the year between the Blazers and Regina Pats while also returning to the WJC for 1994. For the 1994–1995 season Wilkie made his professional debut and played the majority of the year with the Fredericton Canadiens of the AHL while also making his NHL debut, appearing in one game with the Montreal Canadiens. The following season he split time with Fredericton and Montreal, appearing in 23 and 24 games respectively. The 1996–1997 season saw Wilkie make the Montreal Canadiens full time, appearing in 61 games. The 1997–1998 season saw Wilkie play 5 games with the Canadiens before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Injuries would hamper Wilkie in his time with the Lightning. He played in 29 games with the Lightning during the 1997–1998 season and only 46 for the 1998–1999 season. The following season Wilkie signed with the New York Rangers, but ended up playing the majority of the time in the minors. He played the majority of 2 seasons with the Houston Aeros, appearing in one game with the Hartford Wolf Pack during the 1999–2000 season and one game with the Rangers during the 2000–2001 season. For the 2001–2002 season Wilkie signed with the Augusta Lynx of the ECHL as a player-coach. After one season with the Lynx Wilkie retired from hockey in 2002.
Following his player-coach stint, Wilkie returned for the 2002–2003 season as an assistant coach for the Augusta Lynx. Midway through the season he replaced the head coach and finished the year as the head coach of the team, leading them to a 24–32–6 record. Coach Wilkie began coaching at the youth level while in Augusta, GA in 2004.
In 2005 Wilkie returned to Omaha and began coaching youth hockey. The 2006-07 season had Wilkie coaching the Omaha Gladiators Bantam AA (majors) team, which competed in the Central States Developmental Hockey League (CSDHL). Wilkie led the team to a 3rd place finish at the 2007 USAH Tier II Nationals, finishing the season with a record of 49-19-3. Following the coaching of the Gladiators, Wilkie went on to coach the O.M.A.H.A. Jr.Lancers AA U16 team that also competed in the CSDHL. Wilkie led the Jr. Lancers to the National Championship Games in the 2008 & 2010 USAH Tier II Nationals, placing 2nd in both years.
Wilkie has served as a Volunteer Assistant Coach to the University of Nebraska at Omaha Mavericks (Division I – CCHA); was a scout for the Nashville Predators; and is currently a scout for the USHL Lincoln Stars.
