AJ “Ace” joins the Summerland Jets as Assistant Coach for the team’s inaugural season, bringing a lifetime of hockey experience, strong leadership skills and a deep belief in the value of team culture.
A proud member of the Bonaparte First Nation community northwest of Kamloops, Ace grew up with hockey and rodeo at the centre of family life. He began skating at five or six years old and continued playing competitively through senior men’s hockey, travelling throughout northern British Columbia and Alberta for Indigenous hockey tournaments. His family’s hockey team continues today, with a new generation of nieces, nephews and young relatives carrying on the tradition.
The lessons Ace learned through hockey, including discipline, resilience, teamwork and shared responsibility, later helped guide his 29-year career with the RCMP. He spent much of that career as a police dog handler, working in an environment where communication, trust and composure were essential.
Ace first became involved with the Summerland Jets after Board Chair Terry Rolston invited him to join the Summerland Junior Jets Hockey Society. He went on to support the organization as a board member and scout, helping promote the team, identify prospective players and build the foundation for its inaugural season.
He also played an early role in assembling the Jets’ coaching staff. During the search for the team’s first head coach, Ace reached out to Robert Dirk and helped begin the conversation that ultimately brought the former NHL defenceman and longtime development coach to Summerland. When Dirk later invited Ace to join him behind the bench, Ace accepted the opportunity to learn from an experienced mentor while contributing his own leadership and perspective.
As a coach, Ace places a strong emphasis on communication and recognizes that every player responds differently. He aims to understand each athlete as an individual, help them establish meaningful goals and provide the balance of support and accountability needed to reach them.
His approach is shaped by the principle of esprit de corps, meaning pride, fellowship, loyalty and shared purpose. Ace wants the Jets to become known as a difficult team to play against, a strong place for athletes to spend their junior hockey years and a family both on and off the ice.
Away from the rink, Ace enjoys working on classic cars. His favourite NHL team is the Calgary Flames, and his favourite player is Lanny McDonald.
The Summerland Jets are a community-owned junior hockey team being built to create opportunities for young athletes and become a lasting source of local pride. The team will begin play in the BC Hockey Conference during the 2026/27 season.
