Tom Zajac
Toms ultimate goal at his camps is to give each player the opportunity to develop their skills, being able to compete to get to the next level and fulfilling their dreams
Tom’s passion for the game started at a young age playing for numerous minor hockey teams in the North End of Winnipeg. From there, he earned himself a 4-year hockey scholarship to the University of Denver, where he went on winning various awards.
Tom returned to Winnipeg to play with numerous Senior and Intermediate hockey teams, representing Manitoba on various levels, winning the Canadian Intermediate Hockey Championship.
That would lead Tom to start his coaching career. Tom has coached various levels from Tots to AA and AAA Hockey, which has involved more than 25 years of experience, as well as Founding the Zajac Hockey Development Camps.
His dedication and passion for the sport has helped countless players go on to play Junior, University and Professional hockey, such as Jonathon Toews ( Chicago Blackhawks ) , Nigel Dawes (KHL), Quintin Howden ( Winnipeg Jets), Travis Zajac ( New Jersey Devils), Darren Helm ( Detroit Redwings ) to mention a few, as well helping his each of his 4 sons earn NCAA Scholarships and play various levels of professional hockey around the world.
Tom’s philosophy and instruction is simple, “Help every player develop the tools (skills) so they have the chance to succeed”
Darcy Zajac
Darcy Zajac a NCAA Scholarship recipient and graduate in 2006-2010 from The University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux, played alongside some of the NHL's most talented players today.
He grew up playing his minor hockey in Winnipeg and joined the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL from 2004-2006, where he received the most Dedicated Player Award for both years. Zajac's pro career started in 2010 with the Albany Devils (the affiliate of the New Jersey Devils). After two years of hard work, he earned himself his first NHL contract. In 2015 he left to play in Europe and has continued to play in various leagues overseas.
Has spent over 15 years working with young hockey players, helping them grow and reach their full potential, on and off the ice.
He Lives in Vancouver, BC and coaches in the new Elite Junior pacific Hockey League.
Darcy has spent the last two years coaching academy hockey with the Burnaby Winter Club. Prior to that, he coached the West Van Academy U15 team, where they won the CSSHL League and Playoff Championships
During the summer he runs a summer development programs working with athletes in their pursuit of junior and college hockey
Has worked with
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Glenn Carnegie - Vancouver Canucks, Skill/Player Development Coach
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Diane Ness - Minnesota Wild Skating Coach
Skating Coach for the U.S. Olympic Women’s 2010 Team
Former Skating Coach for the Minnesota Gophers Men’s and Women’s Teams
Former Skating Instructor for the New Jersey Devils
“Hockey is a simple game but the dedication is what separates the players. Patience and commitment to details will help each individual achieve their dreams."
Nolan Zajac
Nolan Zajac, an NCAA hockey scholarship recipient and graduate, from the University of Denver, 2012-2016.
Nolan grew up playing his minor hockey in Winnipeg. Playing with the Winnipeg Thrashers of AAA midget league, representing Manitoba twice in the National Telus Cup, where he was awarded the most valuable player in 2008.
The following year he played for Cedar Rapids of the United States Hockey League ( USHL ), where he led the team in scoring by a defenseman and was selected to represent the team in the All-Star game.
He played 4 years at the University of Denver where he made the all-rookie team and was awarded "Rookie of the year". He went on to win various awards, finishing in the top 10 in scoring by a defencemen in Denver history as well as helping his team to become league champions and advance to the prestigious Final Four Hockey Final.
Nolan ’s pro career started with Toledo of the East Coast Hockey League ( ECHL ) in 2016, where he was selected to play in the league’s Allstar game and was selected for the league's rookie team. In 2017 he signed with Leigh Valley of the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate team of the Philadelphia Flyers. Nolan continues to play in Various Elite leagues in Europe.
Nolan has spent a number of years training and learning with many specialized instructors from skating to shooting and stickhandling techniques. This knowledge he chooses to pass down to Zajac hockey clientele. He places a strong emphasis on helping young players grow in all skills while specializing in defensemen development.
Kyle Hampton
Kyle brings a great background from playing the game to his background in coaching and teaching hockey skills. Kyle has worked with zajac camps for 7 plus years, as well as instructing at several camps around the city. He has also worked as a skill provider for Evolution Hockey, Hockey Manitoba, and the Winkler Flyers
Kyle brings a wealth of knowledge, with great strength in the teaching of power skating skills and stickhandling.
Travis Zajac
Travis brings an expertise that is invaluable from playing early hockey in north Winnipeg to playing in the British Columbia junior league to a 4-year hockey scholarship to the University of North Dakota to 15 years in the NHL and over 1000 games. He brings that skillset learned that can help develop players at our camps
He has instructed for a number of years at the camps, and along with coaching minor hockey in New Jersey
Kelly Zajac
Kelly played all his hockey in North Winnipeg as a youngster before moving outside of Winnipeg to play. He played in the British Columbia Junior league for 2 years, then earned a 4-year hockey scholarship to Union College in The ECAC, from there played a number of years in the American Hockey League with the Manitoba Moose and Albany Devils and then finished off his career in the East Coast hockey league with South Carolina
He has worked with the Zajac Camps in Winnipeg and in Charleston South Carolina where he ran a summer skills development program for 5 years.
Ed Barlett
Ed has instructed for several years at Zajac Camps. This coupled with his intensive background instructing for ten plus years at a Hockey Canada Skills academy in eastern Canada. As well as coaching at various minor hockey levels, leads to great knowledge to pass on to the participants
Ed currently is a teacher/vice principal in the Winnipeg Schools system