Owner/Player Advisor- Matthias Gardiman
Matthias has an affluence of knowledge in hockey. Growing up in Thunder Bay in Northern Ontario, he played AAA for the Thunder Bay Kings up to Junior A, being an assistant captain for the Thunder Bay North Stars and Kingsville Kings. After his hockey career ended, he took two years to get his Business Marketing Diploma graduating from Algonquin College. During this time he was still involved in hockey, training players on and off ice, as well as scouting. After graduating from College, Matthias went on to coach Junior A for two years for the Kingsville Kings helping them to a 53-27-4 record. Upon the season ending, he decided he wanted to pursue another side of hockey, while still developing and advancing players. Matthias brings hard work, dedication, and a desire to move on players to the highest level.
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Player Advisor- Connor Sills
Connor has a strong motivation and passion for hockey, along with the experience and connections needed to develop players and the ability to help them meet their full potential. Born in Thunder Bay, Connor began his career playing house league until the age of 10. He then played a single year of 11AA, before joining the Thunder Bay peewee Kings organization. During Bantam he went back to the AA ranks before rejoining the Kings for a memorable Minor Midget season where he was selected in the 9th round of the 2011 OHL Priority Selection Draft by the Plymouth Whalers (currently Flint Firebirds). In 2012 as an underdog, he managed to make a competitive Plymouth team that consisted of many players currently on NHL rosters. Connor was able to have a lengthy 4-year OHL career, playing 225 regular season games. Three years of this time were spent with the Plymouth Whalers before the team was sold and relocated to Flint where he played his overage season and served as an alternate captain. After Junior hockey he made the decision to use his OHL scholarship/schooling package to get an education and further his hockey career at the University of Ottawa. He successfully graduated from Ottawa with a Degree in Criminology as well as a minor in Psychology. He was able to help lead his team from being a rebuilt program to a National contender. In April of 2020 Connor signed his first professional contract overseas with the Dundee Stars of the Elite Ice Hockey League. However, due to Covid-19 his 2020-2021 season was cancelled among many other pro leagues. Now with a season in full swing, Connor is having a great start to his pro career. Connor has also had the time to reflect on the people who have helped him succeed and their influence on his own hockey career and is ready to give back. He hopes to inspire, support, and progress the next generation of hockey players as they chase their dreams.
Ontario Scout- Ryan Tront
Ryan is a passionate ambassador of hockey committed to helping the next generation achieve their goals. He was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario where he played AAA for the Thunder Bay Kings up to Junior A. He played the majority of his Junior A career with the Abitibi Eskimos of the NOJHL registering a point per game and serving as an assistant captain. During his time with the Abitibi Eskimos he was sponsored by the organization to attend Northern College in Timmins where he completed an Electrical Engineering Diploma. After numerous shoulder injuries in his last season of Junior A, his hockey career was cut short and he was unable to pursue collegiate offers. He made the decision to return home and attend Lakehead University to get an Honours Bachelor of Commerce Degree. He is still heavily embedded in the hockey community working and training with hockey players of the next generation to achieve their dreams. Ryan will be our head scout of the Northeast region located in Timmins. He is dedicated to developing your game to the next level while continuing to reach your goals, leading to a lifetime of success.
Sweden Scout- Ludwig Niederbach
Ludwig grew up in Sweden playing hockey from a young age and continues to do so, playing pro in HockeyEttan. He has a passion for the game and has been a leader on every team he has played for. Ludwig played his junior years for his hometown club before he moved to Canada to pursue North American hockey for two years at the Tier 2 Jr A level. Here he made many connections and had the opportunity to play the North American style, where he fit right in. After his time in Canada, Ludwig moved back home to Sweden in 2016 where he signed with Tegs Sk in HockeyEttan. He now has 7 years of pro hockey under his name and is continuing to play the game he loves while pursing another aspect of hockey, being added to our European scouting team. Ludwig is looking forward to working with the Zenith Hockey Management team, and is eager to assist players in moving onto the next level while chasing their dreams.
