Roster, Junior Panthers, 2022-2023, REP (Central York Girls Hockey Association)

Steve Dempsey will be going into his fifth season with the U22 AA team and is taking over the U18 AA program as of May 2023. Steve has a similar approach with each team as both teams are within the CYGHA Panthers High Performance program. For the past five years he has focused his energy on both recruiting and building an elite homegrown high performance program that offers players the opportunity to train and practice in a unique pre-university setting. Steve has focused his energy on both recruiting and building an elite homegrown high performance program that offers players the opportunity to train and practice in a unique pre-university setting. Focusing on family core values like accountability, selflessness, attitude, and respect he is determined to build a program that resonates with like minded character focused players.

Previous to taking on this position, he was an assistant coach for 12 years with the York University Lions women's hockey team beginning in 2009 working with Dan Church, the former Canadian Olympic Coach.

Steve was responsible for taking the lead role with the defense and the penalty kill units. Under Steve's guidance he has helped several defenders receive Ontario and Canadian First and Second Team All-star positions. The penalty kill unit was ranked as one of the top 5 penalty kill units in the country twice during his time at York.

In addition to his work with the Lions, Steve has been a Head Coach with the Ontario Women's Hockey Association High Performance U16 and U18 programs. In 2014 and 2019 his team went undefeated during the summer development camp.

Internationally, he has also worked with the New Zealand National Women's team program as a mentor coach. In 2012 he helped New Zealand to their best IIHF World ranking and their best finish at the IIHF World Championships.

Steve Dempsey is a fully certified NCCP HP1 and HP2 level coach and has been certified in Hockey Canada's High Performance Program.

He has been coaching for over 35 years in competitive, house league, and high school settings in hockey, soccer, and softball.

[email protected]
416-550-7779

Brianna grew up being a Panther and played 12 great years in our organization. Through her hard work and dedication she earned a scholarship and played in the NCAA at Oswego State where she was second on her team in points and near the top in several career categories.

Brianna finished her University career playing for Western University and was a member of their National Championship Silver Medal team in her final year.

After graduating, Brianna wanted to pursue her passion for coaching and was the first Female Assistant Coach in the Greater Metro Jr. A Hockey League for the Tottenham Steam.

Brianna is excited to continue her coaching development with the organization that she grew up in.

Taylor is excited about joining the Panthers coaching family.

After dedicating herself to gymnastics for the Canadian National Gymnastics team she turned all of her focus to hockey.

Taylor rapidly moved up the hockey ranks and eventually secured a spot with the Burlington Barracudas PWHL team. She was one of the top defenders in the PWHL and went on to play for the York University Lions. Taylor received several Ontario University Athletics (OUA) honours while at York including OUA Rookie of the Year and most points by an OUA defense in her last year. In that final year she led the York Lions to a National ranking from start to finish and won the Silver Medal in the OUA playoffs.

Once she graduated she knew that she wanted to continue to work with High Performance athletes and share her knowledge.

Taylor is so happy to be joining such an accomplished group of coaches in the CYGHA.

Taylor is part of the incoming NWHL draft and hopes to combine coaching with playing professionally this year.

Mark is entering his 18th season coaching for the Panthers organization, at every level from Novice House League to Intermediate AA.

Mark is D1 Certified and has been an assistant coach with the Jr. Panthers for the past seven seasons.

Mark has also served on the CYGHA Board of Directors and Executive for the last seven years and is currently the CYGHA President.

He strives to create a positive and fun learning environment for players and to share his passion and enthusiasm for the game.