Derek has a lifetime of hockey experience and knowledge from living in 10 cities and 2 countries while playing hockey. Born in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada and moved at age 4 to Unionville, Ontario a suburb of Toronto. Derek started playing hockey with the Unionville Jets AA. Played 3 seasons, winning numerous tournaments including a Silver Stick Tournament. His family moved to Flower Mound, Texas in 1991 when Derek was 10. Playing on House League and Travel Teams from 1991 thru 1995 under the Dallas Jr. Stars and Dallas Black Hawks Travel team banner. During those years Derek was selected to attend 3 USA Hockey Player development camps.
In addition to coaching Ice Jets youth teams, Derek joins the staff as an assistant coach of the Ice Jets WSHL Junior team in 2011-2012.
For Derek and Dallas Junior Hockey there were a lot of firsts:
1. Derek was selected twice to play for the Pacific Coast Hockey Team at the prestigious Hockey Night in Boston Tournament.
2. Recruited by the Snow Devils of the Eastern Junior Hockey League @ HNIB Tournament. Left Dallas @ 16 to play in EJHL in New England. Last year of junior played for the power house Walpole Stars, won the Regular Season and EJHL Championship.
3. Voted by EJHL Coaches - Offensive Player of the Year.
4. Recruited by Lake Superior State University, CCHA Div. I. Div. I. Hockey Scholarship.
5. Professional hockey career in the ECHL - Long Beach Ice Dogs. Signed Pro contract.
6. In 2005 invited to the NHL - Dallas Stars Prospect Camp. 1st player from Dallas Hockey to attend NHL Prospect Camp.
7. Derek finished his playing career with the Ft.Worth Brahmas of the CHL.
During his Junior, College and Professional career he played 375 games, amassed 171 goals, 222 assists, 393 total points and 356 penalty minutes.
As his Coach in ECHL - Long Beach Ice Dogs, Kevin Kaminski an Ex-NHLer - said, Derek’s "hard work, team play, commitment to his teammates and devotion to being the best he can be, came from his hard off-ice training, dedication, persistent attitude from those early days in Dallas when you had to do it on your own to succeed."
