BRANDON SWITZER

GENERAL MANAGER
HEAD COACH

Switzer spent last season with the Thunder Cats as an assistant GM and Associate Coach before being promoted. Prior to that, he spent two seasons as a co-coach for the Brandon AAA U17 Prep program, and an additional season as a co-coach for the Bantam AAA Wheat Kings program.

Switzer had an impressive junior hockey playing career split between the Wolverines and in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) with the Flin Flon Bombers. In his final year of junior hockey in 2015/16, Switzer amassed an impressive 75 regular-season points, and an additional 19 in the playoffs, capping it off with playoff MVP for the Bombers. After sitting out the next season to rehabilitate his ACL, he continued his career playing NCAA Division I for the University of Alaska-Anchorage.

While playing, Switzer’s leadership ability was evident with a myriad of personal awards and accomplishments including winning SJHL Playoff MVP, a Fan Favorite Award, a Humanitarian Award, an SJHL Leadership Scholarship, and was an alternate captain throughout his career. Prior to junior hockey, he was also a two-time league all-star at the Midget AAA level and has gone deep in the playoffs most of his playing years.

 

DEREK GREEN

ASSISTANT COACH

Green enters his third season with the Thunder Cats, and second as a member of the coaching staff. Green finished his junior career in Creston during the 2019-20 season.  Before joining the Thunder Cats, Green spent 4 seasons with the Fernie Ghostriders.  The KIJHL veteran finished with 169 games played, compiling 10 goals, 30 assists, and 213 penalty minutes.  The Trail, BC native is currently attending Selkirk College and has tremendous knowledge, presence, and leadership for the ‘Cats.

 

 

Hockey Operations – Specialized Skills Coaches

MATTHEW ARMITAGE – GOALTENDING COACH

Matthew enters his second season with the Creston Valley Thunder Cats and has been an instructor with the renowned David Marcoux School of Goaltending in Calgary, AB.  Matthew moved to Creston the last off-season and is excited to continue his coaching career after his junior hockey career.  After initially being drafted 80th overall by the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL, Matthew enjoyed a successful junior hockey career playing for the Calgary Hitmen (WHL), Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL), and the Okotoks Oilers (AJHL).