TYSON RAMSEY
Head Coach and General Manager
Tyson played four years in the MJHL with the Winkler Flyers before moving to Brandon to attend Brandon University where he played four seasons for the Brandon Bobcats of the CIS. After graduating with an education degree in 2000, he remained in Brandon to teach and played a number of seasons with the Tiger Hills Hockey League’s Souris Elks and four years with the Steinbach Northstars senior team, making an Allan Cup appearance in 2009.
Tyson has been a coach with the Brandon AAA midget Wheat Kings, the AAA bantam Wildcats female program and does some scouting for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL.
Reid Gow
Assistant Coach
While growing up and playing in Southwest MB, Reid played for the Southwest Cougars, and spent 5 years in the WHL; Four with the Spokane Chiefs and then had the privilege of playing for the Brandon Wheat Kings in his 20-year-old season to cap off his junior career. All the while, Reid played for team Manitoba U16, Canada West U17, and attended the St. Louis Blues training camp.
Brett Braybrook
Assistant Coach
The newest member of the coaching staff is assistant coach Brett Braybrook. Brett comes to the Oil Caps from the Virden Oil Kings, a local senior team, where he served as a coach there a year ago. This is Braybrook’s second stint with the Oil Capitals in a coaching role. He served as the video coach during the Oil Caps inaugural season and was an Assistant Coach the following year. Brett has also been a member of the teams scouting staff for several seasons.
DEREK LEBLANC
Assistant Coach
Derek, spent four years in the WHL (3 with the Brandon Wheat Kings, and 1 with the Calgary Hitmen), and one season with the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns before having a stellar five year pro career in the ECHL, CHL, and a stint with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. He also won a championship with the Rapid City Rush of the CHL in 2010.
Derek and his family, wife Kara and kids Brax and Braya, reside in Virden. Since moving to Westman, Derek played for the Virden Oil Kings this past season, while also coaching Brax, at the “Squirt” hockey level with Virden Minor Hockey.
MARC BERRY
Assistant General Manager
A product of Birtle, Man., Marc has appeared behind the bench in over 500 games in the MJHL. He has also taken part in the RBC Cup, the Western Canada Cup as well as two league finals.
Marc has also gained international experience with Hockey Canada, being a part of Team West in the WJAC, winning gold twice.
With over 15 years of scouting and coaching experience ranging from bantam to pro, Berry is looking forward to being a part of the Oil Capitals organization.
RYAN POTTER
Goaltending Coach
Ryan joined the Oil Capitals in the summer of 2015 from the Dauphin Kings where he was a goaltending consultant and scout.
Ryan spent three seasons with the Melville Millionaires (SJHL) and wrapped up his junior career in the AJHL with Fort McMurray.
Since his retirement he has hosted dozens of goalie clinics and schools with goalies of all ages. Ryan and his wife Kelli have been billets for the Oil Capitals since Day 1.
DANA WARRENER
Athletic Therapist
Hello my name is Dana Warrener and I am the new Certification Candidate Athletic Therapist that was recently hired on to the Virden Oil Capitals. I graduated from the University of Manitoba, with Bachelors of Athletic Therapy. I have worked with teams such as Bison Women’s Volleyball, and Bison Track & Field. I grew up on a small farm outside of Ste. Rose du Lac, MB. I am very excited to start my Athletic Therapy career with the Virden Oil Capitals. The coaching staff and players have been very welcoming. I am excited to see where the season takes us.
Blake FriarsMedia Relations and Game Day Assistant
Blake hails from Bienfait, SK, and is the newest member of the Oil Capitals staff. Blake spent the last three seasons with the Minot State University Beavers Hockey Club as the Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations role. Blake recently completed a four year program in Communication Arts.
Blake brings experience with social media, and broadcasting to the team and will look to give the fans a behind the scenes look at the team this upcoming season
Teresa Heritage
Office/Game Day Manager/Billet Coordinator
Born and raised in Virden, Teresa and Doug Heritage live in the town of Virden with their two kids, Lexi and Dillon. Teresa Heritage wears a variety of different “hats” with the organization. The club’s long-time billet coordinator is also the game day/office manager. Teresa has been associated with the team since the club’s inception.
Teresa looks after the players with regards to coordinating billets as well as ticket sales, marketing partners, and other office duties are kept up by Teresa. Teresa is integral to the team, the players, billets, corporate partners, and our fans.
BROCK DAVIES
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Born and raised in Virden, Davies is the owner of Xcel Strength and Conditioning where he focuses his business in Virden and surrounding areas. Davies is a longtime fitness enthusiast who has completed his bachelor of physical education and education A.D. from Brandon University. He’s helped train numerous athletes and people of all backgrounds over the past five years. He is a Grade 8 teacher at Virden Junior High.
PATRICIA HOLE
Power Skating Instructor
Decorated skating coach Patricia Hole is the club’s power skating instructor. With more than 30 years of coaching experience, Hole works with the Oil Capitals players during the season, helping improve the players’ skating abilities as much as possible. The owner and operator of a skating school for the past 14 years, Hole has more than 35 years of experience as a skating coach. She coached figure skaters Rudi Swiegers and Paige Lawrence at the World Championships and Winter Olympics in the past, she’s received multiple coach recognition awards and in 2011, she was inducted into the Virden Collegiate Hall of Fame.
SUPPORT STAFF
Brian Mytopher | Equipment Manager
Garry Remple | Dressing Room Attendant
Branden Crowe | Public Address Announcer
Henry Hildebrandt | Public Address Announcer
Wayne Unger | Team Chaplain
Perry Meikle | Game Day Assistant