Coach & Assistant GM- Brian Passmore
Brian Passmore was hired in May of 2023 under a 3 year contract with the Merritt Centennials BCHL.
Passmore has BCHL experience as head coach and GM of the Cowichan Valley Capitals for two-and-a-half seasons from 2020-23, going 27-55-8-1 in 91 games. He led Cowichan to a playoff spot in 2022. Prior to this stint with the Caps, he spent two seasons as head coach of the South Island Royals U18 team in the BC Elite Hockey League.
He was also head coach in Cowichan Valley in 2017-18 after spending two seasons at Shawnigan Lake School in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League. He was head coach of the U15 team from 2015-17 at Shawnigan Lake School.
The Mississauga, Ont. product was a head coach and GM in the VIJHL from 2013-15, first with the Peninsula Panthers and then the Westshore Wolves; winning Coach of the year in 2014 in the VIJHL as well. Passmore got his start as a junior hockey coach as an assistant for the Panthers during the 2012-13 season.
Brian began his own hockey development business in 2013 till present, the business focuses on training youth hockey players aged 6 to 20 years old. 'Passmore Hockey' has helped move players on from U18AAA, Jr. B, Jr. A, WHL, NCAA and AHL. Brian enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge of the game with kids of all ages. "Hockey is a fun and enjoyable game; the best part is the friendships, teammates and coaches that you connect with and build relationships with along the way. As a coach, I am determined to teach, encourage and motivate each player that comes through the Merritt Centennials organization. I was coached by some great coaches in my playing career including Peter DeBoer, Steve Spott, John Goodwin, Jeff Jackson, Shawn Camp, Robert Dirk, Bob Ferguson and Doug Sauter. They helped me mold myself into a coach that can relate well with players today."
As a player, Passmore was selected by the Minnesota Wild in the seventh round, 199th overall, at the 2000 NHL Draft. He had a six-year pro career that saw him spend parts of four seasons in the ECHL and one-and-a-half seasons in Europe. Passmore’s final pro season was 2008-09 when he posted 17 goals and 44 points in 58 games with the Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League.
Passmore played his junior career with the Plymouth Whalers, Oshawa Generals, and Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League, finishing with 171 points in 243 games over the course of four seasons. The Whalers chose him in the fifth round, 84th overall, in the 1997 in the OHL Priority Selection. He played junior A hockey in 1996-97 with the North York Rangers of the Metro Junior A Hockey League in Ontario.
Brian resides in the off season with his family in Victoria, BC with his wife Alicia, son Colton (8) and daughter Marley (5).
Assistant Coach - Connor Logan
With an impressive background in the sport, Connor Logan brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the team. During his playing career, which spanned from 2012 to 2020, Connor gained five years of valuable junior playing experience in the BCHL with Prince George and the SJHL Battleford North Stars, where he helped win a championship. Connor concluded his playing journey in 2020 by playing for the University of Windsor.
In recent years, Connor has transitioned his focus to player development, honing his skills as a dedicated instructor of skill development and strength and conditioning. He established his own private training business, 'Con's Elite Performance,' where he provided personalized guidance to athletes seeking to enhance their abilities. During the 2022-23 BCHL season, Connor had the privilege of working alongside the Cowichan Valley Capitals staff, further enriching his coaching acumen.
"My goal is to take my knowledge and experience and use it to help this team progress and win. Also, to help players move onto the NCAA ranks. This is an exciting opportunity, and I can't wait to get started."
- Connor Logan
Assistant Coach - Paul Barnes
Goaltending Coach - Tyler Steel
Tyler Steel came to Merritt 12 years ago to play for the Centennials, starting over 100 career games in three seasons with the team. In his third season with the Centennials, Steel was awarded team MVP and was named the goalie for the Interior All-Star Team.
Team Kinesiologist - Alyssa Theodore
Alyssa Theodore is a registered Kinesiologist with the BCAK (British Columbia Association of Kinesiologists) and a certified Fascial Stretch Therapy Practitioner. Alyssa has a Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology and has been working as a Kinesiologist since 2018. She has vast experience with sport-specific athletes, adults within the general and older populations, injury rehabilitation, pre and post-surgery preparation, as well as ICBC clients. Along with her knowledge, she has played hockey since she was young and is active in the ice hockey and roller hockey communities. Alyssa comes from a hockey family, with her brother playing professional hockey for the Vegas Golden Knights. She has personally witnessed the dedication and training process an athlete takes to get to the professional level on and off the ice. Alyssa is proud to combine her two passions of work and sport to assist the Merritt Centennials in their off-ice training and rehabilitation this season.
