Staff

Director of Hockey Operations & General Manager

Robert A. Doerrsam - Robert has over thirty years of hockey experience devoted to coaching, various executive positions and volunteering.  Most recently he served as the Goalie Coach and Assistant Coach for the Niagara Falls Peewee AAA - All Ontario Champions.  He also participated in four straight OMHA Championships prior to stepping aside to move into the Wheatfield Blades Organization as an Assistant Coach on their Empire Team in 2006.

His playing career took him through the Burlington, Ontario AAA system prior to becoming a member of the Burlington Cougars Junior organization.  Upon graduating high school he pursued the NCAA route playing for Hawthorne College in the NAIA/ECAC and backstopped them to a frozen four birth in 1983.  Robert graduated with an Honours Degree in Business in 1985 and furthered his education at Niagara University graduating in 1992 with a Master's Degree in Business Administration

As the Director of Operations & General Manager, Robert oversees all aspects of the teams operations and is the liaison to USA Hockey and the Ontario Hockey Association as well as managing GHL league responsibilities.  Email: rdoerrsam@cogeco.ca / Phone Number (905) 658-1587

Head Coach and Director of Player Development

Chris Johnstone - Chris has over twenty years of coaching experience that has taken him to the highest levels of Junior Hockey in Canada and the US.  Chris was the Head Coach and Assistant General Manager for the Niagara Falls Thunder, Erie Otters and Assistant Coach with the Sault St. Marie Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League (Major Jr. A).

During his tenure in the OHL he saw over 60 players under his watchful eye get drafted to the National Hockey League.

Chris also had a prestigious college career captaining the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) to two NCAA National Championships in 1983 and 1985.  He was the ECAC Rookie of the year in 1982 and earned All American status in 1983 & 1985.  He also won the coveted All American Coaches Association award in 1983/84.  Chris is still the all time leader in goals and points at RIT.  Chris graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Assistant/Goalie Coach

Thomas Amodeo - Tom is a product of the Wheatfield Blades system and was a member of the Wheatfield Junior Blades team that earned two national championship berths. Tom finished his playing career playing Junior A Sault Ste. Marie Indians in the NAHL before moving into coaching.

 Tom has worked entensively with Mitch Korn, goaltender coach of the Nashville Predators for over 11 years. He has 12 years of goaltending coach experience which includes personal training to prospect evaluations. 

Assistant Coach

Marc Braun - Marc is a Wheatfield native and grew up in the Wheatfield Blades AAA Youth organization.   After completing his bantam year Marc joined the Wheatfield Junior Blades - Empire Team and had a successful five-year playing career and captained the team for two years.  Marc made two trips to the Nationals during his playing career. 

Marc has ten years coaching experience within the Wheatfield Blades AAA Youth organization and two year coaching the Wheatfield Junior Blades Empire team.

Assistant Coach

Terry Neal - Terry is a native of Welland where he played AAA level before moving up to the Centennial (Welland) Cougars and the Port Colborne Sailors in the Golden Horseshoe Junior Hockey League.

Terry has coached for over twenty-five years most recently with the St. Catharines Falcons prior to joining the Wheatfield Junior Blade staff.  His coaching highlight was a Silver Stick Championship with the Grimsby Peach Kings.

Greg Bean - Greg is in his fourth year with the team.  He is a graduate of Canisus College where he received his degree in Athletic Training.  He has been employed as a certified athletic trainer for 8 years at the University Sports Medicine (USM). USM has supplied trainers to the Junior Blades organization the past 8 seasons.  He attends all Blades games to insure player health and safety and provides injury rehabilitation at the various facilities operated by University Sports Medicine around Erie and Niagara County.

Specialty Coaches

David Smith - Skating Coach/Team Advisor - David brings NHL experience to the Junior Blades.   Currently he is the NHL Fitness and Medical Director and On Ice Officials Skating and Conditioning Consultant. David will also conduct skill development sessions for the Junior Blades program.

Competitive EDGE Sports Performance: Fitness Consultants/Trainers - Located in the Summit Park Fitness Centre in Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, this company specializes in maximizing the athletic potential of their clients.  The Junior Blades provide this service to all players in order to increase their strength, speed and agility on the ice.  Competitive EDGE Sports Performance is made up of highly skilled, athletic specialist led by Tony Surace, M.Ed., ATC.