Meet our Wonderful Coaching Team!
Coaches
Kerry Egan – Head Coach
Kerry is no stranger to ice, having figured skated for 15 years and having played high school hockey. A mother of two speed skaters, Kerry has coached all different levels over the years and is now Coach Cordinator and Coach for the Senior Comp Team.
Shane Clark
With three daughters in speed skating, Shane has had the opportunity to be on the ice in several capacities with the YKSSC for the past 18 seasons. His first coaching experience was instructing Learn to Skate as a 17-year old and he loved it. Shane currently is the lead coach with the Speed Skate 2 (SS2) Group. Shane was honoured to receive Sport North’s Coach of the Year Award in 2011!
Rebecca Mahler
Rebecca Mahler’s first memory of speed skating involves hanging onto the boards of the Gerry Murphy Arena for dear life. Thanks to a great combination of hard work and fun, as well as excellent coaches, co-skaters, parents, and volunteers, Rebecca eventually managed to let go of the boards. She has since had the privilege of representing the NWT at the Arctic Winter Games in 2002 and 2006, and at the Canada Winter Games in 2003 and 2007. Rebecca currently coaches our Sunday Learn to Skate (LTS) and Speed Skate 1 (SS1) programs.
Jeanne Yurris
Jeanne grew up speed skating in Yellowknife and has had the opportunity to compete for Team NT at Arctic Winter Games and Canada Winter Games. Jeanne started coaching in high school with the legendary Mike Vaydik, and has been with Special Olympics since 2016. Jeanne’s coaching style is inspired by her mom, Kathy, whose coaching philosophy is centred around fun and friendship.
David Silke
David Silke got involved with YKSSC a number of years ago when his son was first learning to skate. He volunteered to assist with coaching our Learn to Skate (LTS) and Speed Skate 1 (SS1) programs and has stuck around since then. David currently coaches our Saturday LTS and SS1 classes.
Assistant Coaches
David Gilday
David got into speed skating as an adult, mainly because of his two kids, Michael and Jill. He is a Level 3 coach and has been coaching the competitive group for over 12 years. He started speed skating himself as an adult and has competed in speed skating at the Master’s level, skating his first race at a young 42!
Dave Taylor
Dave got on the ice to give back to the community. He has been a regular on-ice assistant with the YSSC since 2008 and lucky for us, he plans to continue! Dave primarily helps with Speed Skate 3 (SS3) and is always sad when his friends graduate to the Competitive group. As well as assisting the club on the ice, Dave’s IT skills have been invaluable in updating the registration database.
Robin Greig
Robin has been a coach and an official for over 25 years. He started out in Learn to Skate (LTS), moving up through Speed Skate I, II and III, Competitive group and has been coaching Speed Skate III for the past several years. He is a Level 2 NCCP coach and a International (Level 4) referee. In addition to his coaching activities, Robin was the Officials/Coaching Coordinator for the NWT Speed Skating Association for ten years. “What I really enjoy about coaching is watching the skaters improve throughout the year and [seeing] their self-confidence increase as well”.
Sean MacGillivray
Sean purchased a pair of speed skates and then realized he better learn how to skate in them to keep up with his son. Helping on the ice is a great way for Sean to refine his own speed skate skills on the ice, even if his son can still lap him.
Brooke Parker
Brooke has been coaching with Special Olympics for over 7 years and always brings her positive attitude to the rink. Brooke is an outstanding hockey player who has represented team NWT at the Arctic Winter Games and Canada Winter Games. Brooke is sharing her love of the rink with her two kids who are starting to learn how to skate.
Kandis Villebrun
Kandis grew up in Yellowknife and spends most of her time at the rink, coaching girls’ hockey and playing on 2 women’s teams. She is an excellent cross-country skier and loves life in the North. Kandis joined the Special Olympics speed skating coaching crew in 2021 and has enjoyed learning the sport.
Denis Alain
Denis has been involved with Special Olympics in Yellowknife for many years and also coaches the bowling program. He keeps our group laughing on the ice. Denis is very active in his retirement through pickleball, hockey and playing with his grandkids.
