Ty Valin
Head Coach / General Manager
hcgm@normanblizzard.com
1.780.257.7711
Ty Valin was born and raised in Peace River, Alberta, and is based out of Edmonton, Alberta, where his two children live. Valin’s Junior hockey career began with the Grande Prairie Storm of the AJHL before he moved to the BCHL to join the Vernon Vipers. During his time in Vernon, the Vipers captured the 1999 Royal Bank Cup (now known as the Centennial Cup), earning the title of CJHL National Champions. He later played for the Prince George Spruce Kings and finished his Junior career with the Canmore Eagles.
Following this, he competed in the ACAC Collegiate Hockey League for four seasons, suiting up for both the MacEwan Griffins and the NAIT Ooks. After his college career, he played with the Jacksonville Barracudas in the SPHL. Valin transitioned into coaching with the Fort Saskatchewan Hawks Jr. B team, then advanced to lead the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers U16 AAA squad for two seasons. He then joined the NAIT Ooks Men’s College Hockey program for a season and a half as an assistant coach before taking over as head coach of the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers U18 AAA team. After three seasons with the Rangers, he moved on to the AJHL’s Whitecourt Wolverines as an Assistant Coach.
Most recently, Valin served as Head Coach and General Manager of the Fernie Ghostriders in the KIJHL from 2021 to 2024.
Derek Puttick
Assistant Coach
A native of Strathmore, Alberta, Derek brings over 45 years of hockey experience (over 2 decades coaching) to his role as Assistant Coach—spanning Junior, Midget, and minor levels across Canada, Australia, Latvia and the US.
Starting as a player, Derek played at the elite level most of his career playing at the AA and AAA levels finishing his playing career in Australia. From there he evolved into coaching, including becoming a manager, scout, mentor, a minor hockey board member, hockey school instructor and has built a diverse and accomplished resumé in the game. Derek’s coaching pedigree includes five league championships and a Provincial silver medal within his last nine years behind the bench. Known for his detail-oriented approach and strong connection with players, he focuses on developing athletes both on and off the ice—preparing them for success in the next stage of their hockey journey.
Derek spent the last season with the Wisconsin Riverkings of the USPHL Premier and is very excited to be coming to The Pas.
Mark Patton
Player Personnel & Recruitment
personnel@normanblizzard.com
1.204.291.8133
Mark has been with our club for the past two seasons; starting as Head Scout and being promoted to Director of Player Personnel halfway through his first year. He’s also currently a scout for the Western Hockey League’s Saskatoon Blades.
He’s been with the Blades for 7 seasons. Prior to coming to the Blizzard he scouted for 4 years with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Flin Flon Bombers. He’s also been involved with the Swan Valley Stampeders in a scouting capacity in the past, after becoming a regional scout for International Scouting Services, following the completion of their internship program. During COVID, when all leagues were shutdown, he completed training in Hockey Analytics.
He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and currently resides in Lorette. He has two young children, and also works as a Senior Production Supervisor at a company that has around 300 employees.
Jacob Hill
Athletic Trainer
at@normanblizzard.com
1.709.216.9471
A member of NunatuKavut, the territory of Inuit residing primarily in southern and central Labrador, Jacob hails from a small northern community in Newfoundland and Labrador called Gunners Cove.
Jacob became a registered massage therapist in 2017 and is a member of the Canadian Sports Massage Therapists Association; introduced to the field while working with the St. John’s IceCaps of the AHL. He has served as the head therapist for the Deer Lake Red Wings and the Stephenville Lightning in the CWSHL. He has contributed to Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador’s High-Performance program and was a member of the Canada Winter Games team in 2023 in Charlottetown, P.E.I. He has provided medical support at the National Karate Championships in 2022 and the Olympic and Paralympic Swimming Trials in 2024. He is trained in various fields such as Emergency Medical First Response, Concussion Assessment, and Advanced Sports Massage. As a Certified Personal Trainer and Health Coach, Jacob continues to work with athletes and clients, helping them achieve their goals off the ice as well.
Jacob is passionate about giving back to his community through volunteer work and is an active advocate for healthy living, mental health and wellness, and Indigenous peoples’ rights.