Fred 'Cyclone' Taylor

Fred Cyclone Taylor was born on June 23rd, 1885. Fred was hockey's first superstar winning the Stanley Cup in 1909 with Ottawa and again in 1915 with the Vancouver Millionaires. Fred passed away in 1979 at the age of 94. Inducted into the NHL hall of fame in 1947. During a game against the Montreal Wanderers in 1908, the Governor General of Canada, Earl Grey, remarked that Fred Taylor's amazing skating speed was like a ‘cyclone’ and the nickname stayed with Fred from that day forward. Some have rated Cyclone as one of the top 5 players to have ever played the game.

Mark Taylor

Mark grew up playing hockey in Vancouver with Kerrisdale and went on to play in the BCJHL with the Langley Lords. Mark was voted the MVP of the league in 1976 at the age of 17. Mark received a 4 year scholarship the following year at the University of North Dakota and led the team to a runner up finish for the NCAA title in his third year and then won the U.S. national title in his fourth and final year. Mark was named the top college player that year ( renamed the Hoby Baker award the following year). Mark shattered most of the school scoring records by the end of his fourth season. Mark went on to play 12 years of professional hockey that included 3 years in the American hockey league, 4 years in the NHL and 5 years in Europe of which 4 were in Switzerland. Marks best year in the NHL was with Pittsburgh in 1985 where he scored 24 goals and 31 assists in 59 games. Knee injuries cut that season and ultimately his career short. While playing for UND, Mark completed his business degree.

Ryan Esselmont

Ryan Esselmont, GM and Head trainer for the Cyclone Taylor Hockey Training facility, has been training and coaching hockey for the past 7 years. He is the founder and managing trainer of HST (Hockey Specific Training), a Vancouver based sport specific training company. Ryan’s primary focus to on and off ice training is to help players improve their hockey skill set, game play and physical condition. HST’s specialized approach develops and prepares athletes on ice performance to meet the high demands of modern day hockey. Other than training, HST also develops and manufactures training equipment called StrideSlide and StrideSlide Crease. StrideSlide and its training program utilize slideboard technology to provide an effective off ice tool for players and goalies.

Training / Coaching:

Ryan’s interest and career development as a hockey trainer started 11 years ago in University playing hockey and studying Kinesiology and Business. During his 8 year pro career Ryan developed a passion for coaching and his training philosophy from his personal experiences and the coaches he played for. During the last 3 years playing professional hockey, he was also hired as the team’s strength and conditioning trainer. For the past 6 years Ryan has been teaching his unique style of powerskating which develops the fundamentals to provide technically sound skating for all ages, building quickness, power and efficiency. The last 4 years he has been a coach and trainer at the Sentinel Hockey Academy.

Personal Training / Coaching Experience

• In 2002, Ryan received his ACE certification (American Council of Exercise) personal training certification.
• In 2003, Ryan was hired from the West Van School District as coach and trainer for the Sentinel Hockey Academy.
• In 2007 Ryan achieved and is now certified in NCCP (National Coaching Certification Program).

Ryan continues to develop the latest coaching and training techniques, keeping ahead of the game.

Hockey Experience:

Ryan grew to love hockey growing up in Kamloops, skating at the age of 4. During his early years of hockey in the Kamloops Minor Hockey Association he played all AAA levels and was fortunate to have a Dad, who also coached to pass on his knowledge of the game. At 16 years old, Ryan moved to Trail, BC to play hockey for the Trail Jr. Smoke Eaters, winning the Western Canadians. The next year he moved on to the BCHL where he started with the Bellingham Ice Hawks and then finishing his last 3 years of Junior with the Kelowna Spartans. During the first year in Kelowna, the team won the Royal Bank Cup, (National Championship). The second year the team returned back to the National Championship finished second in a hard fought final game. During the third year, Ryan achieved a personal best and most successful of his Junior career, receiving a full scholarship to Northern Michigan University. Following University Ryan played eight memorable years as a professional hockey player in the US and Europe.

Hockey Schools:

Ryan, at a young age of 14 developed an interest in coaching and teaching. Ryan first work experience started with the Kamloops Blazers Hockey School. During these 4 years at this school Ryan learned hockey from some of the best coaches in the game today, Ken Hitchcock, Tom Renney, and Don Hay. Ryan has continued to work with various hockey schools in Canada and the US. For the past 4 years Ryan has been the off ice trainer and scout for the Junior Pre Hockey Camp, Western Canada’s premier development and exposure opportunity for elite Junior, Midget, Bantam and Pee Wee players and goaltenders. Within the Jr. Prep Camp he works along side NHL coaches such as Barry Smith and Mike Johnson. For the past 4 years, he is the head instructor, responsible for all the on and off ice programs at the 4th Annual Sunshine Coast Hockey School.