MEET THE TEAM!
On behalf of the LMHA Board of Directors, we are thrilled to announce the hiring of our Development Leads for the 2024/25 Season! Please join us in welcoming both James Bettauer and Luke Kasteel to their respective roles. We are excited to see what your expertise and professionalism will add to our athletes’ experience! Both roles are unique in that not only will James and Luke lead LMHA Development, but they will each Head Coach one of our A1 teams. This announcement means that our A1 team of Head Coaches is set, and we could not be more excited to share their bios along with communicate our new Goalie Development partnership! We encourage you to review the details included in this post and should you have any questions, please contact Alex Guiney via email: operations@langleyminorhockey.ca.
U11 A1 Head Coach & Development Lead: James Bettauer
James is a highly skilled defensive coach with extensive professional experience. Recently retired from professional hockey after twelve seasons, including time in Germany’s top league (the DEL), he now joins us as a full-time development coach. James' experience playing both defense and forward has given him a comprehensive understanding of offensive and defensive tactics. He holds an MBA in management and has management experience outside the hockey world. Additionally, he brings five years of skills development training, making him an exceptional coach for developing players.
In addition to his appointment as the Head Coach for U11 A1, in his role as Development Lead James will assist in the planning of all LMHA Development initiatives and work directly with the athletes participating in our ‘C’ and ‘A’ Development programs. James will also be joining the U13 A1 team as an Assistant Coach.
U13 A1 Head Coach & Development Lead: Luke Kasteel
Known as an offensive skills coach, Luke excels at breaking down complex skills into small sequential pieces for quicker skill acquisition and specializes in forward and defensemen specific skills, tactics, and techniques. With countless hours spent reviewing video, he understands the small details that make players successful and how to effectively teach them. He founded Lightsteel Hockey in 2015 as a platform for him to offer private and small group lessons, dryland training, and off-season programs for elite players, with a mission to help them become unstoppable. His coaching background includes programs and lessons for WVMHA, NVMHA, Hollyburn, BC Spartans, NW Hawks, and NSWC; where he spent five years head coaching, notably achieving significant improvements with his U11A1’s over their rival programs each year. After moving to Langley nearly three years ago, he took a break from team coaching to focus on family, Lightsteel Hockey, and working with First Class, Pivot Hockey, BWC, and RCHD as a skills coach and/or gym trainer. Luke brings extensive knowledge in player development, team coaching, and minor hockey operations, aiming to support LMHA teams in becoming the best in the Lower Mainland.
In addition to his appointment as the Head Coach for U13 A1, in his role as Development Lead Luke will assist in the planning of all LMHA Development initiatives and work directly with the athletes participating in our ‘C’ and ‘A’ Development programs. Luke will also be joining the U11 A1 team as an Assistant Coach.
U15 A1 Head Coach: Danny Franco
Danny Franco will return as Head Coach of the U15 A1 team after a successful 2023-24 season, where the U15 A1 team finished first in the PCAHA Final Four and represented PCAHA at the BC Hockey Tier 1 Provincials. Danny has been involved with LMHA for over 35 years, including currently serving as President of our Association. He has coached all different levels of both ‘A’ and ‘C’ hockey and brings a wealth of experience to our program and the community which will benefit players in both their on-ice development, as well as their holistic development as members of our community away from the rink. LMHA is extremely excited to have Danny back behind the bench, and he is looking forward to working with our U15 athletes.
U18 A1 Head Coach: Will Pedersen
Will Pedersen started his coaching career at the age of 19 in North Delta as an assistant on the U18 A1 team. After one year in North Delta, he moved to Cloverdale where in three seasons, he helped coach two teams in back-to-back Provincial championships: first the U18 A2 to a Silver Medal in 2023 and then this past season, the U18 A1 to a 2024 Provincial berth. Additionally, in 2023, Will joined the PJHL Jr ‘A’ Langley Trappers coaching staff as an Assistant Coach and scout. Outside of Minor and Junior hockey, Will runs his own summer development program where he works with elite U18, Junior ‘A’, and US college players to prepare them for their upcoming seasons. Will's coaching philosophy emphasizes not only developing talented hockey players but also fostering their growth into well rounded individuals by instilling the values of discipline, teamwork, and resilience both on and off the ice. “I am excited to be joining Langley Minor and helping to continue their 50-year tradition of excellence.”
Goalie Development: Assertion Goaltending
LMHA has partnered with Assertion Goaltending to provide our Association’s Goalie Development this season. Goalie Development sessions will be headed up by Eric Williams and/or Boston Bilous.
Eric Williams played his minor hockey with LMHA from U11 all the way to U18 and was drafted in the 4th Round of the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft by the Prince Albert Raiders. Eric played 199 games in the WHL, and played two seasons with the University of British Columbia, after a stint in professional hockey with the Colorado Eagles. Eric has worked with Assertion since 2017 and has coached goalies in Junior ‘A’, CSSHL, and BCEHL programs. He is also a goaltending evaluator for Team BC and BC Hockey’s U15 & U16 Program of Excellence.
Boston Bilous is also an LMHA Alumni who was drafted in the 4th Round of the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft by the Edmonton Oil Kings and played 97 games over four seasons in the WHL, highlighted by winning the Memorial Cup with the Prince Albert Raiders. Boston began his coaching career in 2019 and has worked with goalies in the BCEHL, and PJHL.
LMHA is excited to partner with Eric, Boston, and the whole team at Assertion for the 2024-2025 season!
U7 and U9 Development:
Stay tuned for some exciting news regarding Under-7 and Under-9 Development programming in the next couple of weeks!