ID and SKILLS CAMP

Dean Caban:

 Dean brings over two decades of elite hockey coaching experience, starting his journey as a skating and skills instructor at the young age of 15. Dean played two seasons in the KIJHL with the Osoyoos Heat before transitioning to his true passion—coaching. For 18 years, he was a prominent figure at Edge of Excellence, where he spent 15 of those years as the Head Skating Instructor, honing the skills of players from across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Dean’s coaching career includes over 12 years as Head Coach at the renowned Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy (now Rink Hockey Academy), where he specialized in the development of top-tier Bantam AAA players. Under his guidance, over 100 athletes have advanced to higher levels of the sport, including the WHL, Jr. A, Jr. B, NCAA, and even professional leagues. Dean also works closely with NHL players from teams such as the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, and Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, and Buffalo Sabres.

Known for his ability to push players beyond their limits, Dean is relentless in his pursuit of hockey excellence. He holds every player accountable, emphasizing the importance of respect, hard work, and determination. With a coaching style that combines tough love and unwavering support, Dean consistently extracts the best from his players, helping them realize their full potential.

Jenna Caban:

 Hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Jenna's hockey journey has taken her from the Manitoba U18 team to the international stage. She honed her skills at the prestigious Warner Hockey School before earning a full scholarship to play for the University of Maine, where she was a standout for the Maine Black Bears. Jenna graduated with honors in Kinesiology and Education in 2010 and was named International Student Athlete of the Year.

After college, se went on to play professionally in Switzerland with DHC Langenthal, where she also shared her expertise by teaching power skating to young athletes in the region’s minor hockey leagues. Her passion for developing young talent has been a constant throughout her career, and she specializes in guiding youth players both on and off the ice to help them achieve their next level of performance.

Armed with her Kinesiology degree and invaluable experience from working with top strength and skills coaches—some of whom are now with NHL organizations—Jenna brings a wealth of knowledge to coaching. Her approach is rooted in positivity and motivation, and she has an undeniable knack for inspiring young athletes to pursue their dreams. Jenna’s passion for continuous learning ensures that she remains at the cutting edge of player development, always seeking new ways to help players improve their skating and overall game.

Hugh Dunlop:

With over a decade of coaching experience, Hugh is a crucial figure in player development at West Coast Academy. His expertise in video analysis and deep understanding of player performance make him an invaluable asset in the hockey world. Hugh’s ability to break down skating techniques and game strategies is second to none, helping players make significant, tangible improvements on the ice.

Prior to joining West Coast Academy, Hugh served as the Video Coach for the West Kelowna Warriors in the BCHL, where his keen eye for detail played a vital role in the team’s success. His video expertise was further honed during his four years at the Ontario Hockey Academy, a prestigious private prep school in Cornwall, Ontario. There, he managed video operations and broadcasting for all eight teams, providing critical insights that helped players elevate their performance on the ice.

Hugh’s experience extends beyond hockey, with stints in football and lacrosse, though his heart remains firmly in hockey. His contributions have benefitted teams across the BCHL, AJHL, WHL, NCAA, and even the NHL. Known for his analytical approach and ability to translate video insights into actionable coaching, Hugh is a trusted mentor for players aiming to refine their skills and take their game to the next level.

Breanne Berdensen

Breanna is a dedicated coach who brings over two decades of experience in hockey and skating instruction to her role. A graduate with honors from the University of Toronto in 2020, Breanna's passion for the game has led her through a remarkable journey.

With more than twenty years of hands-on experience as a hockey player and skating instructor, Breanna's knowledge and insights are deeply rooted in the sport. Her extensive journey includes playing at the collegiate, professional, and international levels.

Breanna's career highlights include thriving at the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy, making a significant impact during two years of Division I hockey at the University of North Dakota, and achieving recognition as an Academic All-Canadian while completing her degree at the University of Toronto. Notably, her leadership contributed to her team's back-to-back appearances at the 2019 and 2020 National Championships, which included winning the OUA McCaw Cup in 2020.

Going beyond her home, Breanna ventured overseas to play professional hockey for Aisulu Almaty in the European Women’s Hockey League and proudly representing the Kazakhstan women's national team. Her international journey included participation in the Olympic Qualifications in Italy and World Championships in Poland.

Today, Breanna's focus is on translating her extensive experience into guiding athletes as they strive for excellence. She aims to empower athletes to reach their full potential by blending her deep understanding of the game with her passion for mentoring and development.

This session is part of the Western Selects Development Camp Series, a commitment to delivering top-tier training opportunities throughout the year. It also serves as an identification camp for players interested in joining Western Selects.

Whether you're a rising talent or an advanced player looking to refine your game, this is a unique opportunity to train under a coach who has developed athletes from youth to the professional level.

Spots are limited—register now to secure your place!