About Us

Founder & Program Co-Ordinator

Ryan Dalziel’s hockey journey began at the age of three, growing up on skates at a small-town rink in Saskatchewan. His passion for the game quickly grew as he competed at various levels, including junior and senior AAA hockey throughout his youth and young adulthood.

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After earning an Engineering degree, Ryan transitioned into the workforce, where family and career priorities took center stage and hockey took a temporary step back. However, once his children were old enough, Ryan rekindled his love for the game through coaching. He has coached youth hockey from U7 to U11AA, sharing his experience, knowledge, and passion for the sport with the next generation.

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Ryan founded the Bisons hockey program, with the vision of creating a competitive and supportive environment where mulit-sport young athletes could grow, develop, and thrive both on and off the ice.

 

With a deep understanding of hockey and a wealth of experience, Ryan is dedicated to fostering growth, teamwork, and a love for the game. His coaching philosophy is centered on empowering athletes to build confidence, character, and a lasting passion for the sport.​

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Head Coach 2012

Cody Brown is a passionate hockey coach whose love for the game has spanned from his childhood in Calgary to the highest levels of competitive hockey. Starting his playing career in Calgary, Cody advanced through the ranks of Bantam AA and Midget AAA before joining the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL. His journey continued with the Calgary Canucks in the AJHL, where he further honed his skills and leadership on the ice. Cody capped off his playing career in the NCAA, where he competed for Lake Forest College in Illinois, earning a degree in Environmental Studies.

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After transitioning to life beyond competitive hockey, Cody settled in Strathmore, where he works alongside his father in the family-operated tree nursery. Though his playing days are behind him, hockey remains a central passion in Cody's life. As a coach, he finds immense satisfaction in sharing his experience and knowledge with young athletes, helping them chase their own dreams and develop both as players and individuals.

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Cody's dedication to the game, combined with his strong work ethic and commitment to mentorship, makes him a valuable asset to the Strathmore hockey community. He’s excited to continue fostering the next generation of hockey talent and supporting them in achieving their full potential on and off the ice.

Co-Head Coach 2013:

Reese St. Goddard is in his third year with the Bisons organization, where he coaches alongside his three children, all of whom are part of the club. He began his hockey journey in Calgary, playing AAA midget with the Calgary Royals before moving on to Junior A hockey in Alberta. Reese continued his career at the collegiate level with the SAIT Trojans (ACAC) and the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns (CIS).

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Even after his playing career, Reese remained actively involved in the hockey community. He served as a goaltending coach with Lethbridge Minor Hockey and has held several leadership roles, including President of the Horns Hockey Alumni Association. He also contributed to the planning committee for the CIS National Championships (University Cup). Currently, Reese serves as Treasurer on the board of the Strathmore Minor Hockey Association, where he continues to support the growth and development of youth hockey in his community.

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With coaching experience from Intro to U13, Reese is now the Head Coach of the SMHA U13T1 team. His approach focuses on skill development, teamwork, and leadership, creating an environment where athletes grow both on and off the ice.

 

Reese believes that the values of hockey—discipline, commitment, and resilience—are essential to developing not just skilled players, but strong, well-rounded individuals.

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Co-Head Coach 2013

Paden brings over a decade of coaching experience and a deep passion for developing youth hockey players to his role as a coach with the Strathmore Bisons. Paden’s coaching journey began in 2011 with the U15AA Wheatland Warriors, where he spent three seasons building strong, competitive teams. From there, he transitioned to the U15AAA team in Okotoks, followed by a significant leadership role as Head Coach of the Rockyview Raiders U16AAA team in Chestermere. Paden led the Raiders for three seasons, honing his skills as a mentor and strategist before moving on to serve as Assistant Coach with the CFR Bisons U18AAA team in their final season in Strathmore.

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In addition to his club-level coaching, Paden has contributed to Hockey Alberta’s elite programs, serving as Head Coach for Team South at the Alberta Winter Games and Assistant Coach twice at the prestigious Alberta Cup. His extensive experience spans a wide range of age groups, with recent involvement coaching Minor Hockey from U6 through U11, where he’s focused on building foundational skills and fostering a love for the game.

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A firm believer in continuous development, Paden completed his High Performance 1 certification in 2015, equipping him with the latest coaching techniques and strategies. Now entering his third year with the Strathmore Bisons, Paden is excited to continue working with local athletes and helping them reach their full potential in the upcoming season. His commitment to player development, leadership, and community makes him a valuable asset to the club and a respected figure in youth hockey.

Head Coach 2014​

​​Kyle Smart is entering his third season behind the bench with the Bisons hockey program, bringing a wealth of coaching experience and a deep passion for player development. Before joining the Bisons, Kyle coached minor hockey programs in Indus, Strathmore, and currently with the Wheatland AA organization, helping to shape young athletes at various levels of the game.

 

Kyle’s hockey journey began as a player in Indus, progressing through the Wheatland AA system and competing at the AAA level with the Airdrie Xtreme. A WHL draft pick of the Regina Pats, his playing career was unfortunately cut short by injury at the age of 16. However, his love for the game led him to coaching, where he quickly made an impact.

 

His early coaching resume includes a successful three-year stint with the NWCAA Flames Junior B program, where he helped guide the team to a provincial championship and a Keystone Cup bronze medal in 2005. Beyond the bench, Kyle has been dedicated to grassroots hockey development, serving as an executive board member with the Indus Minor Hockey Association for four years, with a strong focus on player growth and skill development. Kyle continues to bring his expertise, leadership, and commitment to the Bisons program, striving to develop not only skilled hockey players but strong individuals both on and off the ice.

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Head Coach 2015

Albert Snook is a dedicated hockey coach with over 10 years of experience coaching minor hockey, HSL, and spring hockey. Originally from Newfoundland, Albert now resides in Chestermere, where his passion for the game and commitment to community have made him a respected figure in local hockey circles.

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Albert served as the President of Chestermere Minor Hockey for four years, where he worked tirelessly to support the growth of the sport and create opportunities for young athletes. Now, he’s focusing on coaching within the association, currently leading the U11-1 team as Head Coach.

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This spring, Albert is thrilled to take on the exciting opportunity to coach the 2015 Bisons. With a strong emphasis on both hockey skills and personal development, his approach centers around hard work, individual and team growth, and—most importantly—ensuring the players have fun and lots of laug, build lasting memories, and enjoy every moment on and off the ice.

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Albert’s coaching philosophy is rooted in fostering a positive environment where athletes can thrive and learn, all while creating a strong sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship.

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Head Coach 2016

Evan has a rich hockey background, starting with his early years in Strathmore Minor Hockey and continuing through to Wheatland AA and the UFA Bisons Midget AAA programs. He then took his talents to the BCHL, where he played for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. His journey continued at Cornell University, where he played at the collegiate level for four years.

 

After college,  Evan made the leap to professional hockey, competing in the AHL, ECHL, and across Europe. Following his retirement in 2013, he returned to his roots, dedicating his time to coaching and mentoring young players in the local community.

 

With a wealth of experience both on and off the ice, Evan is passionate about helping the next generation of athletes reach their full potential.

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Head Coach 2017/2018

Mike Periard is a seasoned hockey coach and dedicated mentor, committed to developing the next generation of athletes. With a deep passion for leadership, Mike combines his extensive knowledge of the game with a strong focus on character-building both on and off the ice.

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A proud father of four, Mike understands the importance of balance and instills values such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance in every player he coaches. He is actively involved in his community, where he not only coaches hockey but also serves as a role model for young athletes, guiding them through the challenges of both sports and life.

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 Mike enjoys spending time outdoors, whether on the golf course or hunting, always embracing his love for nature and adventure. His commitment to coaching and mentorship reflects his belief in the power of sports to shape not only skilled players but also strong, well-rounded individuals.