Burford Minor Hockey is pleased to announce our U8MD and U9MD Coaching selections!
Congratulations to Patrick Simmonds, head coach of the U8 MD team and Andrew Maertens, head coach of the U9MD team for the 2026 - 2027 season.
Meet Patrick
Hello Coyote hockey families,
I would like to take this time and introduce myself; my name is Patrick Simmonds and I have accepted the upcoming U8 MD 2026/2027 coaching position.
Thanks to the BDMHA for the opportunity for the coaching position to help these athletes grow in the sport and show their skills at the highest level. It's an honor and a privilege. I'm excited for the new challenges this role will have to offer in the upcoming 2026/2027 season.
This will be my first full season as head coach, I'm relatively new at this position but do have some experience as an assistant coach for the past two season at the BDMHA local league level. It gives me great joy in watching the kids develop, grow and put the skills being taught to use on and off the ice. I am confident in my coaching staff and my coaching abilities to give these kids a fun learning environment.
As a player, my playing career started in Brantford at the rep level. I played competitive hockey for over 15 years, I actively play hockey still to this day. Then traded in my hockey jersey for a referee jersey. At that time, I seen the game of hockey at a different level. I worked all levels of play including the OMHA/Alliance and the OHA. Now with two young boys in the BDMHA system I have hung up my striped jersey and have started my coyotes coaching career. With my background in hockey and the positive feedback from parents and kids. In my short coaching career, I am very confident in my abilities to make this a safe and fun hockey environment for all. I look forward to helping these kids in there U8 MD development for the upcoming 2026/2027 season. See you at the rink!!
Thanks Coyote families
Coach Patrick!
Meet Andrew
I am excited to join the Burford Coyotes U9MD Hockey Team as Head Coach for the upcoming 2026/27 season. For the past 2 seasons I have been actively involved in Burford Minor Hockey as a head coach, first coaching the U7 local league hockey team and currently coaching the Burford Coyotes U8 MD hockey team. I have found it extremely rewarding to watch these young athletes develop and grow as hockey players. My personal hockey playing journey has been spent entirely within the Burford Minor Hockey system starting in local league and transitioning to the rep level in the goaltending position. I continue to play at the rec level today.
I have a deep passion for the game of hockey where I believe in the core values of hard work, dedication, and teamwork. My philosophy is to create an attentive, fun and positive environment where the kids can learn and grow their love for the game of hockey. I believe in a very structured approach focusing on both skating skills and hockey skills to help build confidence in each player.
I look forward to the exciting challenges that lie ahead as we prepare for the U9 MD program in the Burford Hockey Community for this upcoming 2026/27 hockey season. I am excited to watch players develop further, meet personal goals and build friendships. I invite all those interested in this level of hockey to keep an eye on the Burford Minor Hockey website for updated information regarding pre-skates and evaluations taking place this coming spring.
Sincerely Yours
Andrew Maertens
