The Westlake Staff
The Westlake Hockey Development on-ice staff is made up of players from across numerous elite leagues.
Participants will benefit from our staff's firsthand experience of playing at the highest levels of the game,
whether this concern skill development, stategy, training or mental preparation. Alternately, if you're
interested in the off-ice aspects of WHD, jump to our professional staff page to
learn more the pros we recruit in other fields.
Matthew Lombardi, WHD Founder
Over the course of his young career Matthew Lombardi has played the role of overachiever. At an early age it was evident that Matt possessed above average hockey skills, which had him competing at the highest possible level at every age. Combined with his positive attitude and a passion for the game he has co-founded Westlake Hockey Development Inc. (WHD) where he will offer his knowledge, experience and expertise in instructing young players.
Matt started out playing hockey with teams in the Lac St.-Louis region, often with players older than him. He then went on to become a star on the Midget AAA Gatineau Intrepides team. At the age of 16, after one season in Gatineau, Matt was drafted into the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) by the Victoriaville Tigres. It was at this point where scouts began to take notice. The Edmonton Oilers were impressed enough to take the speedy forward in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. In his final season with Victoriaville he finished second in QMJHL scoring and led his team to the Memorial Cup finals where he was selected to the tournament all-star team.
After being unable to come to terms with the Oilers, Matt re-entered the draft and was quickly snapped up by the Calgary Flames in the 3rd round in 2002. As a rookie on the Flames farm team the following year, the flashy center pumped in 25 goals. At the 2003-2004 Flames training camp Matt impressed enough to earn a spot on the opening day roster. He did not disappoint in his rookie NHL season scoring 16 goals and 29 points, as well as being selected to play in the Young Guns All-Star Game in Minnesota. He proved to be a valuable contributor all season adding 6 points in 13 playoff games and demonstrated his ability to step up in key situations. Matthew enjoyed his most successful professional season during the 06-07 campaign. To his merit he was asked to represent Canada at the World Championships and with his team leading 13 points led his team to a gold medal performance. He is now in his first year of a three year contract with the Flames and looks to continue to add to his accomplishments.
Check out how Matt's season is going so far by clicking here.
Carl Michaelson, WHD Founder/Director
From the onset of his hockey career Carl Michaelson’s passion for the game could be described in one word; heart. Carl has shown continued leadership and devotion for the game on each team he has played for. It is with this desire and enthusiasm that he strives to constantly improve his game and the play of those around him. Carl never backs down from supporting his teammates and offering encouragement to younger players. Creating a hockey development camp for young players was therefore a natural development.
Carl first brought his work ethic to teams in the Lac St.-Louis region, playing on double letter teams from Novice to Bantam. The well-rounded defensemen then went on to star on Stanstead College’s blue line for one year. Continuing his desire to pursue an education as well as a hockey career, he accepted an offer to finish high school at a Division 1 prep school in Massachusetts. His stellar play at Northfield Mount Hermon earned him a scholarship to play for Hobart College in Geneva, New York. In his senior year as captain, he helped lead the team to their first Conference Championship in school history. This provided another first for the institution as they were ranked nationally in the top 10.
Carl graduated with an Economics degree at Hobart. He then began his first years as a professional in France: his first season for Clermont-Ferrand in the Elite League followed by Le Vesinet in the second league, where he was among the league leaders in points per game by a defenseman. After losing a year of hockey due to a concussion during the ’06-’07 season, Carl is back in Europe competing in the Belgian Elite League.
Check out how Carl's season is going so far by clicking here.
Dustin Traylen, Goaltending Instructor
Goaltending has been part of Dustin Traylen’s life since he started playing hockey at the age of five. Dustin played his minor hockey for the Lac St. Louis region where he was always amongst the league leaders. His competitive career took off when he was given the opportunity to play for the Lac St. Louis Lions, under head coach Kevin Figsby. He used his experience with Lions to jump-start his successful junior career.
Dustin played in all three eastern Canadian Junior ‘A’ leagues, but found his niche with the Nepean Raiders of the Central Junior Hockey League at the age of 19. It was in Nepean where Dustin blossomed. In his first year, he earned second team CJHL all-star honors and the coveted three stars cup for the Raiders. In his second year, Dustin enjoyed a career year in juniors. He took home most valuable player honors at the CJHL all-star game with a 19 save performance in the first period. He then went on to win first team CJHL honors along with Goaltender of the Year and he finished the campaign with the second best save percentage in Canadian Junior ‘A’ hockey with a remarkable .925 save percentage.
It was during this banner year that Dustin committed to Clarkson University a Division I program in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference. In his first season in 2002-2003, he captured the prestigious Clarkson Hockey rookie of the year award. In his sophomore season, Dustin set the school record for regular season save percentage at .923. It was in his sophomore year that he backboned the Golden Knights through a stunning playoff run, a run that ended in the ECAC finals against a talent laden Harvard Crimson squad.
After three seasons at Clarkson, Dustin turned pro. He is currently in his third year of professional hockey having spent time in four professional leagues (Providence Bruins - AHL, Trenton Titans - ECHL, Port Huron Flags -UHL, Laredo Bucks - CHL). Recent accolades include winning most valuable player with the Port Huron Flags in 2006-2007. Already this season, he has been named CHL Goaltender of the Month for October 2007, enjoying a successful start to the season with the Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League.
Dustin has been a goaltending instructor for ten years. In addition to WHD, he is the head instructor for the Textbook Goaltending Schools in both Montreal and New Jersey. Dustin's coaching resume also includes coaching at various hockey schools in and around the Montreal area. This list includes John Elkins Goaltending school, Amey Doyle's Goaltending, Hockey Tec Boisbriand with renowned goaltending coach and hockey author, Alex Theriault.
Known as a people person, Dustin looks forward to helping WHD goaltenders reach their full potential through hard work and dedication to detail.
Check out how Dustin's season is going so far by clicking here.
Lucas Madill, Head Instructor
Lucas Madill’s life has revolved around the sport of hockey since he has been old enough to skate. As a part of the Lac St. Louis Ouest Tigres organization for many years he collected numerous minor hockey tournament championships and a Bantam AA provincial title. He then played a year for the Midget AAA Lac St. Louis Lions before receiving a scholarship to play Division one prep school hockey with his twin brother Mike at The Millbrook School in New York. In two years at Millbrook Lucas shared co-captainship and two team co-MVP awards with his brother while leading his team in scoring in both campaigns. He received league MVP honors with 63 points in 30 games his second year, and was voted to the All League and All Star teams.
After a successful stint at prep school, Lucas headed off to play junior hockey in Ontario. He ended his junior career as assistant captain of the Brockville Braves, where he posted 24 goals and 36 assists for 60 points in 50 games. Lucas then played four years with the historic Redmen of McGill University. In his rookie season he was voted as the teams most improved player after scoring 6 goals and 6 assists in 24 games and making a transition back to defense for a portion of the season. In his third year he helped lead the team as an assistant captain to the National championships, where he scored two goals in McGill's first ever National Championship game to carry them into the semi-finals. Lucas ended his career at McGill as an assistant captain for a second season and is now completing a Masters of science in Sport Psychology at the University of New Bruinswisk. He is aslo playing hockey at UNB for the Varsity Reds, trying to help the currenlty #1 ranked V-reds in their effort to reclaim last years Canadian University National Championship.
Lucas has been instructing hockey to children at various hockey schools since he was 14 years old. As an assistant head instructor at NTR's Excellent-Ice Kirkland over the past 9 summers Lucas has developed a combination of experience, enthusiasm and joy of helping others in developing their skills for the game he loves.
Check out how Lucas' season is going so far by clicking here.
Michael Madill, Head Instructor
Mike first started skating on his backyard rink at the age of two with his twin brother, Luke. Throughout his hockey career, Mike has played at the highest levels in Atom, Pee-Wee, Bantam, and has continued that trend with the Midget AAA Lac St. Louis Lions. The following year, with education in mind, he decided to overlook Quebec Major Junior teams and attend Millbrook Prep School, in Millbrook, New York. There, Mike, along with his brother, was voted team co-MVP each year and earned invitations to the Prep-school All-Star game and All-Scholastics Hockey Night in Boston their senior season. At Millbrook Prep, Mike totaled 70 points in two years.
Mike always had aspirations of playing at the Division I level in the United States. To reach that goal, he decided to move to Ontario and play for the Nepean Raiders junior team. Mike totaled 50 points in 55 games; scoring 15 times, while adding 35 assists. He played in the CJHL All-Star game and was selected as a CJHL first-team All Star in 2001-2002. After an exceptional season with the Nepean Raiders, Mike received a hockey scholarship to St. Lawrence University where he excelled every year. His third and fourth season there, Mike received the ‘Pete McGeuogh Award’ for the teams most outstanding defenseman. His senior year Mike was also co-winner of the ‘Brian P. Doyle Memorial Award’, which is given to the player who demonstrates character, athletic ability and leadership. Mike was also named the teams co-MVP. With a strong season as a member of the St. Lawrence Hockey Team, Mike earned league honours as well. He was named the ECAC’s Outstanding Defensive Defenseman and was a First Team All Star.
Following St. Lawrence, Mike signed an NHL contract with the Minnesota Wild. He spent most of his first professional season in the ECHL, with the Texas Wildcatters, where Mike finished near the top of the league in defensemen scoring, with 43 points and represented his team and the American Conference in the ECHL All Star Game. He finished the regular season with the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League. Since being invited to the Calgary Flames 2007 camp, Mike played the first few games with their American League affiliate, the Quad City Flames before being returned to the Las Vegas Wranglers of ECHL. However, expect to see lots of Mike in Quad City this season.
Mike has worked in hockey schools for the past nine years. His experience and enthusiasm are reasons why he has been chosen as a member of Westlake Hockey Development Inc.
Check out how Mike's season is going so far by clicking here.
Michael Zbriger, Head Instructor
Through his youth Michael always played at the highest level. He was always a go-to in the scoring department. Year in and year out Michael would be among the league leaders in points. His career path led him to a prestigious prep school in the USA, Governor's Academy in Byfield, MA. His ability to produce continued in the USPHL by leading the league in scoring his senior year. He graduated in 2001 as a first team All New-England selection, an All-league selection (ISL) and Team MVP. His success in prep school brought him to St. Lawrence University (Canton, NY), and his ultimate dream of playing Division I NCAA hockey. He majored in Economics and in 2006 received a Masters degree in Education.
Michael played his first year of pro hockey in the United Hockey League, mainly in Illinois for the Bloomington Prairie Thunder. He was the leading scorer for his team and received All-Rookie Honors across the league by finishing first among all rookies with 29 goals, and third overall with 57 points. Michael is currently pursuing his career overseas in Germany for the Weiden Blue Devils.
Check out how Michael's season is going so far by clicking here.
Justin Quenneville, Head Instructor
Justin began skating at the age of 3 in the West-Island of Montreal. Playing his entire minor hockey with the Lac St-Louis Tigers throughout Atom, Peewee and Bantam, he was apart of 2 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze provincial championships as well as several tournament titles, while playing along side the likes of Matthew Lombardi, Brandon Reid and Alexandre Burrows. Justin concluded his minor career along side Lucas and Michael Madill with the Midget AAA Lac St.-Louis Lions.
The skilled offensive player then made the decision to jump to the collegiate ranks where he suited up with Saint Michael’s College in the NCAA. Playing in 99 games over 4 years, he collected 59 goals and 80 assists for 139 points, earning several school records and 3 league 1st All-Star teams. Justin graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business and minors in Computer Science and International Business.
Justin’s continued success carried into the professional ranks where he played his rookie season with Missouri River Otters of the UHL. Finishing among the top rookies in scoring, he was voted by his peers to the All-Star team. He recently completed his second pro season with the Phoenix Roadrunners of the ECHL, where he finished second on the team in scoring while still missing 25+ games with an injury. His third professional season, with the Corpus Christi Rayz of the CHL, Justin led his team in several categories including goals, points, shootout goals, power play and short-handed points. He was voted as an All-Star Starter, league MVP Finalist and awarded team MVP honors. Justin in currently in his second season with Corpus Christi and is looking forward to improving on last seasons remarkable numbers.
Justin is part of the WHD team who devotes themselves to developing and challenging youth hockey players in becoming the best hockey players they can be on and off the ice.
Check out how Justin's season is going so far by clicking here