Michael Burks: Owner/President
Michael has played recreational hockey for the past 10 years as a sponsor and player in the Glacier Hockey League. In 1999 Michael started Big Sky Specialized Carriers, a freight logistics company that he runs in Missoula. In addition, he owns and co-manages with his wife, Misty the Garden of Read’n, a Christian Bookstore in Missoula. Along with those, they also own Misty’s Tanning and Ultimate Salon and Fuel Fitness and Nutrition gyms located in Butte and Helena, MT. In addition, he has recently purchased the Missoula Phoenix, a semi pro football team that plays in the Rocky Mountain Football League during the spring. As the President of the Maulers, Michael will oversee advertising and promotions as well as the daily financial responsibilities of the organization. Recently Michael was listed on Entrepreneur magazine's Hot 500 list, and was featured in the Missoulian and the Missoula Independent, which can be seen here and here.
Marcus Baxter: Head Coach/General Manager
Marcus will be entering his third season with the Missoula Maulers. During the Maulers 2010-2011 season his coaching peers voted him the Leagues Coach of the Year. Prior to his time with the Maulers, Marcus spent two season Coaching Tier 1 Midget hockey in Colorado. Marcus played Division 1 hockey for the University of Connecticut Huskies in the Atlantic Hockey Association. In his first season with Uconn his teammates voted him the recipient of the “Seventh Player Award” given annually to the unsung hero of the team. Before his college career began, Marcus played two seasons of Tier 2 junior hockey in the AWHL for the Bozeman Icedogs. In his second year with Bozeman, Marcus and his teammates took home both the Regular season and Playoff championships and represented the league in the National Championship Tournament. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Marcus played his youth hockey in numerous cities across North America. Included along his path were stops in Calgary Alberta, Chicago Illinois, Saint John New Brunswick, and Vail Colorado, where the team competed twice in the Midget Major AAA National Championship Tournament. Marcus is the son of Julie Baxter and long time NHL player Paul Baxter.
Joren Johnson: Assistant Coach
Joren will be entering his second season behind the bench for the Maulers. Prior to the Maulers, Joren was very successful in leading the Missoula Bruins High School Team. During the 2009-2010 Joren guided the Bruins to their first State Championship. He has played an active role in youth hockey for the past eight years, throughout Montana and North Dakota. Joren is a native of Bismarck, North Dakota where he played his youth hockey and was a three year letter winner at Bismarck High. Joren has had much support throughout his coaching career. From his mom Kelly Easton and his dad Milo Johnson, who is an accomplished and respected coach in North Dakota.
Tim Zalinger: Goalie Coach
Tim Zalinger returns as the Maulers goaltender coach for the 2011-12 season. Tim has been a fixture in the Missoula hockey community dating back to 2004-05 when he was the Missoula High School coach. Since then, he has been the weekly goaltending coach for youth hockey. He has also been involved in Missoula hockey as a power skating instructor and served as a director at the youth level.Zalinger hails from Vermont where he backstopped his Essex Junction high school team to an undefeated state championship season. After high school, Zalinger played hockey for Canton Tech Junior College where his team won back to back national championships.
Matt Tschider: Strength and Conditioning Coach
Matt is in his second season as the Strength and Conditioning coach for the Missoula Maulers. Tschider is a native of Bismarck, ND, where he received All-state and All-region honors in hockey while attending Century High School. Matt received his bachelor of science in Health and Human Performane in 2009 from the University of Montana. As an undergraduate Matt studied physiological changes in Junior Icehockey players during their season. As a student he also coached youth hockey at the Pee Wee and Bantam levels, in Bismarck, ND and Missoula, MT.Matt will be responsible for developing, implementing and executing all aspects of strength and conditioning throughout the Maulers organization.
Bridget Voorhees: Education and Nutrition Coordinator
The Missoula Maulers are excited to announce the new position of Education and Nutrition Coordinator for the 2011-2012 season. Bridget graduated from the University of Montana in 2010 with a Masters Degree in Health Promotion. Bridget has a strong passion for education and wellness and brings years of experience in these fields to the Maulers organization. Bridget is currently a Personal Trainer at the PEAK Health and Wellness Center and works with a wide variety of people, helping them achieve healthier lifestyles through fitness and nutrition. In addition to her background in Health and Wellness, Bridget has experience teaching and tutoring at the collegiate level and supports the importance of academic success in athletes of all age groups.
Bridget will be responsible for developing an athletic based nutrition program for each player and providing academic guidance and support during the season.
Traver McLeod: Billet Coordinator
Traver has called Missoula home since 1998 and been a vital part of Missoula hockey since since his arrival. Born in Regina Saskatchewan he moved to Missoula Montana where his family has roots since the 1940s. McLeod is a passionate worker that has been instrumental in the growth of Missoula hockey. Being involved In hockey as an Adult League Commisioner, Youth Hockey Coach, Referee, and Jr team Billet coordinator, his passion for hockey is evident in his work. Serving as Northern Plains District Adult director and Montana Amateur Hockey Association board member he enjoys being an enthusiastic contributor to the development of Montana hockey players. Married to his wife Audrey since 2006 they share a passion for sports. Audrey is a local high school teacher, volleyball coach, and track coach. She enjoys the development of young athletes into young adults . Traver's Parents Garth and Roeine McLeod reside in Shaunovon Saskatchewan.
Russ DiCristofaro: Michigan Recruitor
Russ is currently enttering his 7th season as the defensemen and goalie coach of the St. Clair Shores Unified Lakers High School Hockey Team in Michigan. He has 23 yrs of coaching experience; Junior A, Junior B, High School and Travel Hockey. He is the on ice/off ice instructor for the Michigan High School Hockey Excellence Program in Chelsea, Michigan. A life long SCS resident played house and travel hockey for the SCSHA ,then played high school hockey at Lake Shore High and also played in the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League. During his playing career he played on 4 State Championship teams and 1 National Championship Team. He is also an active member of the Michigan H.S.Hockey Coaches Association Board of Directors and president the M.A.C. High School Hockey Coaches Association Board of Directors. Russ is also Coach of the Great Lakes Selects hockey team. Coach Russ is single parent who has 2 sons: Vinny and Andy both played 4 years in the Lakers program and both sons were voted Div.1 First Team All-State players and both play/played for the Maulers.
Paul Schmit: Marketing Director
Paul Schmit is a graduate from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. He came to Missoula in 2007 after graduating with a Bachelor's of Arts - Entertainment and Sports Promotion. Paul has been with the Missoula Mauelrs Junior "A" Hockey Team since their inaugural season as the Director of Marketing. His position entails selling corporate advertising, creating and implementing in-game promotions, booking game day entertainment, mascot (Slash) appearances, birthday parties and corporate outings. He also travels with the team on road games as the play-by-play person for the Missoula Maulers live webcast. Paul has recently started playing hockey in the Glacier Hockey League and is a regular at the Glacier Ice Rink for numerous events. If you are interested in learning more about different opportunityes to get involved with the team, email him directly at paul@missoulamaulers.com or call him at 406-830-FANG.
John Wahl: Internet Play-by-play announcer
John returns for his second year describing the action at the Glacier Ice Rink. A Minneapolis native, his knowledge and passion for hockey was evident last season and he was credited as one of the many reasons that the Maulers were named NORPAC's "Franchise of the Year". His call of Chris Pontello's game-winning Overtime goal over eventual national champion and previously unbeaten Helena Bighorns brilliantly captured the highlight of the 2010-11 season. The Maulers have championed the campaign to provide Internet coverage and will continue to make every attempt to provide fans with a quality broadcast every game. Calgary-native Matt Dyck will again provide color commentary when his youth-hockey coaching schedule allows it.
Dr. Christi Dilatush: Team Chiropractor
Dr. Christi Dilatush grew up in Northeast Arkansas. She graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She taught fifth grade science for five years. During this time, she developed seasonal asthma and discovered chiropractic care. She immediately knew this was her passion! She enrolled in Logan Chiropractic College in St. Louis, and graduated in 1999 with a Doctorate of Chiropractic. She practiced for ten years in Northwest Arkansas before relocating to Missoula, MT. She loves taking care of her patients, and seeing how chiropractic care allows them to "get on and live their life!" Dr. Dilatush is married to John and they have a son, Tyler. They enjoy attending sporting events, especially Maulers hockey and Griz football games! Also, they enjoy traveling, cooking, duck hunting and family time. Dr. Dilatush looks forward to meeting you, your family and your friends.
Dr. Robert Delaney, DDS: Team Dentist
Dr. Robert Delaney was born and raised in Chicago. He grew up ninth in a family of twelve children, eleven of whom graduated college. Bob earned three degrees at the University of Illinois, including his DDS. He practiced dentistry at four Chicago locations, including the inner city. The inner city experience allowed him to develop certain attributes, such as devoting a portion of his practice to treating the poor and underserved, and he has never regretted the time spent there.Bob has also volunteered as a surgeon at Missoula's Partnership Health Center, working alongside a very experienced and skilled Missoula dentist, Dr. Gary Peterson. Dr Delaney credits Gary for teaching him so many important oral surgical techniques. Always intending to move to a Western state, Dr. Delaney and his wife visited Missoula on their honeymoon. The couple returned several times, eventually meeting a Missoula dentist who was in need of an associate. Within two years, Bob took ownership of the family dental practice near the University of Montana. After several years in Missoula, Bob began his post graduate education in dentistry by traveling frequently to The L.D. Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education. He continued his training there over a period of three years before meeting Dr Frank Spear, and joining the Montana Study Group. Dr Spear is one of the top clinical educators in dentistry to this day. The members of the group were privileged to diagnose and accomplish many complex implant, cosmetic, and reconstructive cases under Dr. Spear's guidance. While a member of that group, Bob concurrently received advanced training in endodontics (root canal therapy) in a study group run by another Missoula dentist: Endodontic specialist Dr Ed McGreevey ran an excellent teaching program which trained dentists in advanced treatment techniques.
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