Coaching Team

Shane Byrne is the Managing Partner of Apex Skating Canada. As a former elite hockey player, Shane played minor hockey in the Nepean Raiders system and reached the Ontario Hockey League by being drafted to the Kingston Frontenacs. A passionate and energetic leader, he has developed hundreds of youth level players with over twelve years of coaching experience. Coach Byrne obtained a Bachelor of Social Science degree from the University of Ottawa. Shane also consulted with the Boston Bruins organization as a Skating Analysis Consultant at the 2015 Development Camp, and during the 2015-2016 season. In 2017-2018, Shane serves as a Skating Consultant to the Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL), and the Manchester Monarchs (ECHL Development Affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings). He is currently skating and skills coach for the Hawksbury Hawks Jr. A organization of the CCHL.

Dan Bittle is the Managing Partner of Apex Skating USA. With a specialization in strength and conditioning, Dan has developed athletes at the Junior A, Major Junior, AHL, and NHL levels. From 2011-2015, he served as a Fitness Evaluation Consultant for NHL Central Scouting at the NHL Scouting Combine. Dan holds a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Exercise Science from California University of Pennsylvania. Dan is currently a Master of Science student at California University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Exercise Science and Health Promotion (Concentration in Performance Enhancement and Rehabilitation Studies). Dan has consulted with the Boston Bruins organization as a Skating Analysis Consultant at the 2015 Development Camp, and during the 2015-2016 season. In 2017-2018, Dan served as a Skating Consultant to the Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL), and the Manchester Monarchs (ECHL Development Affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings). He currently coaches with the Los Angeles Jr. Kings organization and with the UCLA Mens Hockey Team.

Michael Del Bel is the Assistant Director of Research and Development for Apex Skating. Coach Del Bel hails from Quispamsis, New Brunswick, and played elite AAA-level hockey, in addition to competitive lacrosse at the provincial level. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (Honours) in Biology from Acadia University, in addition to a Master of Science Degree in Human Kinetics from the University of Ottawa. He recently completed his PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Ottawa, specializing in Biomechanics. His research interests include the prevention and rehabilitation of ACL injuries in athletes.

Alex Hulford is the Territory Manager for Apex Skating in the Ottawa region. Originating from Stittsville, Ontario, Coach Hulford played minor hockey in the Stittsville Rams and AAA Ottawa Valley Titans systems. After youth hockey, he played at the junior level locally with the Junior B Stittsville Royals before spending time with the Junior A Kirkland Lake Gold Miners of the NOJHL. Coach Hulford finished his junior hockey career playing in Toronto for the Cambridge WinterHawks. Hulford made the move to collegiate hockey, spending four years playing for the Davenport University Panthers in the ACHA (winning multiple awards including All-State Rookie team, All-Tournament Team, and League MVP as well as finishing as all-time leading scorer). Hulford graduated from Davenport University with both a finance and business administration degree. After university, Hulford received an invitation to the Reading Royals Development Camp in the ECHL but chose to pursue a career in finance and change lanes in hockey to a coaching perspective.

Colin Doelman is a Skating Movement Specialist with Apex Skating. Coach Doelman originates from a very strong hockey family and enjoyed a successful career, beginning with the Ottawa Sting at the AA level for the majority of his youth hockey. He then joined the Ottawa Jr. 67’s AAA organization during his Major Midget year, where we captained the team. Coach Doelman played Junior B for the Ottawa Jr. Canadians, becoming assistant captain and winning a League Championship in the 2009-2010 season. His hockey career culminated with the Napanee Raiders Junior B organization, becoming the team top scorer and the League Most Valuable Player. Coach Doelman looks forward to sharing the lessons learned from his successful hockey journey with Apex Skating Clients, helping them to work closer toward their own goals and aspirations.

Coach Molinski hails from Ottawa, Ontario, and played elite junior hockey at both the Junior A and Junior B Levels, with the Ottawa Jr. Senators Junior A, and with the South Ottawa Canadians. Coach Molinski is also one of Apex Skating's senior skating treadmill development coaches at the Treadmill Performance Centres. He is extremely passionate about sharing his hockey journey with Apex Skating's youth clients, and assisting them to reach their sport and life endeavors.

Olivia Keefe is a Skating Movement Specialist with Apex Skating. Hailing from Ottawa, Ontario, Coach Keefe began her youth hockey career with the Leitrim Hawks before switching to girls hockey, finishing her minor hockey career with the Ottawa Lady Sens. With dedication and hard work, she earned a spot as a walk-on with the Carleton University Ravens Womens Hockey Team as well as receiving an academic scholarship. Following university, Coach Keefe played for the Boston Blades of the CWHL where she competed against the top women’s players in the world. Since retiring, Coach Keefe is directing her passion for the game into coaching and helping young athletes reach their goals.

Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Mark has played elite level hockey from the AAA to college level. His minor hockey career was spent with the Sun County Panthers and Windsor Jr. Spitfires AAA organizations. He then moved on to play at the Junior B level for the Chatham Maroons of the GOJHL, followed by a -year college career with the Adrian College Bulldogs. During Mark's time at Adrian, he won 3 playoff championships as well as a national championship in 2018. 

After college, Mark has turned his attention towards coaching and player development. He has spent time with the Washington Little Caps U15 AAA program in Washington, DC and is now assisting with the Ottawa Jr. Senators of the CCHL. Mark has a true passion for the game of hockey and takes pride in teaching and developing players of all ages and skill levels. 

In addition to his hockey accolades, he is currently attending medical school at the University of Ottawa, where he hopes to pursue a career in the field of Orthopedics/Sports Medicine. 

Nicholas Romanchuk is a Data Scientist with Apex Skating and has extensive experience in both competitive sports and orthopaedic health research. Nicholas completed his undergraduate in Physical and Health Education at Queen’s University, where he also competed for the Queen’s Football Team earning invitations to the 2016 East-West Bowl and the 2017 CFL regional combine.

He also holds a Master of Science in Human Kinetics from the University of Ottawa where his thesis focused on using machine learning algorithms to develop decision-rules for return-to-activity following an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. During his master’s he also competed for the University of Ottawa Rowing Team, becoming team captain, and winning the 2018 Canadian Indoor Rowing Championship.

Nicholas is currently pursuing a second undergraduate degree in Computer Science from Carleton University, majoring in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning and minoring in Statistics.

Lukash Matthews is an on-ice performance coach for Apex Skating in the Ottawa region. Coach Lukash hails from the Ottawa region and played his junior hockey in the CCHL. He finished his junior hockey playing for the Ottawa Junior Senators (CCHL) where he was named assistant captain and won the OJS top defenseman award.

After finishing his junior hockey career, he enrolled in Carleton University to study finance. He made the Carleton Ravens Men's Hockey Team as a walk-on from the open tryouts and was named a U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian (2021-22).

Coach Lukash looks forward to continuing to teach and mentor the next generation of hockey players at Apex Skating.

Coach Duhaime is an on-ice performance coach with Apex Skating in Ottawa, Ontario. Duhaime played six years with the Ottawa Valley Titans AAA organization during his minor hockey years, and was drafted in the second round to the St. Michael’s Majors of the OHL.

He began his rookie year with the Kanata Stallions Junior A (CCHL) and then played 2.5 years of major junior hockey with the St. Michael’s Majors and Mississauga Steelheads, before being traded to the Ottawa 67's. He completed his junior hockey career with the Smiths Falls Bears Junior A (CCHL).

Coach Duhaime is currently pursuing his bachelor degree in accounting at the University of Ottawa. He also continues to play competitive hockey as the captain for the Arnprior Rivermen in the EOSHL Senior A hockey league.