The Westlake Staff
The Westlake Hockey Development staff is comprised of some of the best professionals in their respective fields. Westlake's commitment to its players extends beyond the ice, where it employs experts in fields such as kinesiology, excercise science, podiatry and weight training. Scroll down below to read more about our professional staff, or jump to our on-ice staff page to learn more the pros we recruit in other fields.
Steve Van Wyk, Osteopathy & Performance Trainer
Beginning as the skinny kid in school is what sparked Steve’s interest in weight training at an early age. As someone who pushes himself in every aspect of life this soon became a passion and then obsession. At the age of 18, there was consideration of entering the field of personal training but it brushed away in favor of the completion of a degree of Management at Concordia University. Continuous reading and practical application, he began after University to complete certifications in weight training. The study of how the body works continued into other areas such as reflexology, iridology and many courses on energy therapy and the workings of the mind.
Steve now is studying Osteopathy under tutelage of Guy Voyer, which complements the training aspect of his working with the population.
His working with a large range of the population, from kids to seniors has given him the understanding of how and when to apply certain exercises and program design from the perspective of rehabilitation, sports performance or just general well being.
His goal is to one day open a performance centre of his own geared to the physical, mental and spiritual growth of individuals looking to enhance the quality of their lives.
Paul Gagné, NHL Performance Trainer
Paul Gagné is an exercise Kinesiologist, Posturologist, Somatotherapist and strength and conditioning consultant.
His expertise lies in training protocols for, postural, rehabilitation, muscular balance and performance enhancement. He has developed a unique postural and functional evaluation and training system over the years with colleagues Jay Kiss and Dr Michel Joubert.
Many elite and professional athletes encompassing various sports and world-class competitions consult with and are trained by Paul Gagné and his colleagues. He has worked in tandem with and benefited from the teachings of Dr. Guy Voyer and Dr. Bernard Bricot.
He is the strength and conditioning consultant and rehab specialist for the Octagon Sports Agency, for their NHL hockey players, and for the David Leadbetter Golf Academy. Paul Gagné gives seminars on the subjects of posturology, injury prevention and training methods for performance enhancement.
The following is a list of some of the athletes Paul has trained:
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Frances Michaelson, Health & Wellness Consultant
For over 20 years, Frances has surrounded and immersed herself in exercise and wellness, keeping the fitness industry at the forefront of her life whether it is through her businesses, daily activities, or life style. Her passion for this way of life emanates beyond herself to her clients and associates. She is a firm believer that anyone can lead the active life they sometimes only dream about, and it doesn’t stop there.
Frances began her productive career in the industry over twenty years ago as an aerobic instructor. This led to the opening of a fitness center in Beaconsfield, Quebec, which she co-owned for 12 years. Recognizing the significant value of working with a personal trainer, she went on to launch West Island’s first personal training center – Muscle Up Inc. Located in the Baie D’Urfé plaza, this facility is entering its seventh year of operation.
Along with inspiring others, Frances, has accomplished much personally. She reached a lifetime goal by competing in a provincial natural body building competition in 1996. Frances has also held many prominent roles, having been a personal fitness coach for the RCMP for several years as well as participating and speaking at many fitness related conferences across North America. Frances continues to push herself and other to new limits at her personal training center where her mission is to encourage all people from youth to seniors to adopt and practice a healthy and strong lifestyle by working with a professional trainer.
Dr. Wayne Halliwell, Sports Psychologist
Dr. Halliwell is a professor of sport psychology in the Department of Kinesiology at the Université de Montréal. He has been teaching and conducting research in the area of sport psychology for over 25 years.
Dr. Halliwell is also an internationally recognized sport psychology coach as he works with world- class athletes in a number of individual and team sports. He has been working with Canada’s gold medal winning National Junior Hockey Team for the past 20 years and he has also worked with a number of NHL hockey teams including the Montréal Canadiens. A native of Sudbury, Ontario, Dr. Halliwell played college hockey on a scholarship at Middlebury College in Vermont and then played two years of professional hockey in Europe. After his playing career, Wayne coached at the university, CEGEP, Midget AAA and minor hockey levels.
Dr. Halliwell is presently writing a book on the “Mental Game of Hockey” and he is a sport psychology consultant to a number of US College hockey teams including Boston College, Dartmouth College, Yale University, University of Vermont and Middlebury College.
Dr. Halliwell has a passion for sharing his knowledge and experience with young hockey players and helping them understand and improve the mental side of their game. By using video clips and relating experiences from elite hockey players’ mental preparation techniques, Dr. Halliwell is able to help young hockey players improve their ability to get focused and stay focused during games, to deal with pressure situations, to play with more confidence and to enjoy the game.
Jonathan Guillemette, Power Skating Instructor & Olympic Short Track Speed Skater