Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Emily Lubbers (Otto)

I am 31 years old and grew up playing ringette in Lacombe until age 13, then played a season with the u19 Central AB Power AA, then played a season of u16 for Zone 5 AA, back to Central for second year u16 AA. After that I played all of my u19 years with ERC and was a member of the Edmonton WAM! as a player from 2011-2022. During that time we captured bronze medals in 2014 and 2015 and finished as silver medalists in 2018 and 2022. My first major coaching job was for the WAM! last season as Head coach, where we finished as the 2023 NRL Canadian champions.

Aside from ringette I have been married since 2017 to Linden and we have two kids, Brinley, age 2 and Bo, 3 months. I have worked as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse since 2014 in Acute Adult psychiatry. I also enjoy golf, camping, staying active running, biking and weight lifting.

I don’t believe anything is given, it’s a privilege to be part of this great organization and everything comes at a cost of hard work and dedication.

Assistant Coach: Maria Thompson

I have been playing Ringette for 40 years. I played all my years but 2 in Edmonton.  I played for the Federation in my early years and then again in my later years in Open A for Relit and currently Last Call.  I played 20 years with the ERC from 1988 to 2007  in the AA programs where I was fortunate to be a part of many successful teams winning several Provincial Titles and 5 National Titles.  In 2005 I was the NRL League MVP.   I was fortunate to play in 5 World Championships as a member of  Team Canada starting in 1994 and winning Gold in 1996 and again in 2002.  The 2002 World Championships I was the top scorer and Tournament MVP.   In 2008 I had the honour of being inducted into the Ringette Hall of Fame as an athlete. 

Over the years I have been involved in coaching many different teams at various levels and notably I was the Assistant coach in 2007 for Team Alberta at Canada Winter Games winning a silver medal.  I am thrilled to be back involved with the ERC’s AA program as a coach. I was honoured to work with the 2022/23 WAM! as an assistant coach and being part of the team that brought home a National Title. 

Outside of Ringette I am a Teacher at Bellerose Composite High School where I teach Sports Medicine and Yoga. I love playing sports;  Volleyball, Golf, Slowpitch and Pickleball.  Most importantly,  I am a wife of 22 years to Mike  and mom to my 17 year old son Tristan whom we enjoy watching play Basketball and Hockey.   

I look forward to again being an assistant coach with the 2023/24 Edmonton WAM! and the challenge of competing in the very competitive National Ringette League. 

Assistant Coach: Dani Schole (Holliday)

I am 32 years old and have been playing ringette since I was 5. I grew up playing for the Edmonton Federation, then for the ERC until I aged out and began playing for WAM!. I wore the W from 2010-2020 where Covid cut our season short and I started growing my family. As an athlete, I have had the honour of receiving numerous bronze, silvers and a gold at CRC’s as well as 1 worlds bronze.

I started coaching in 2004 for Edmonton Ringette/ERC where I have coached every age group from Active start up to WAM!. I was the Head Coach of the AWG team from 2014-2016 where we medaled both cycles.  Last season was my first National Gold as a coach with WAM!.

Away from ringette I have a wonderful husband (Paul) and 2 kids (Alec age 2 and Addison who is almost 1). I am a high school teacher and enjoy hiking, golfing, snowboarding, playing slow pitch and being anywhere around water.

Assistant Coach: Jen Krochak (Willan)

I started playing ringette when I was 7 and it has been part of my life ever since, both as a player and as a coach. Through the years I have been fortunate to have played on many competitive teams. I participated in 17 national championship tournaments where I have won 8 gold, 6 silver and 2 bronze medals. At the CRC’s I was selected as an all-star 8 times. In addition, I have been a member of Team Canada three times. In 1994 I was my team’s tournament MVP. In 1996, when we won gold, I scored both the tying and overtime goals. In 2012 I was honoured to be inducted into Ringette Canada’s Hall of Fame. My playing career continued as a member of WAM!, then an interlude with women’s hockey and now Open A Last Call.

I began coaching 14 years ago participating in every level from bunnies up to the NRL. My recent 2 seasons as a coach of the U19AA St. Albert Mission has resulted in back-to-back national championship titles.

Family life outside of my teaching career has centered around our two children’s sports lives. My husband and I spend countless hours watching and contributing to team activities. This year will be especially wonderful for me as my daughter Kirsten dons the WAM! jersey. I was part of the very first WAM! team and the name “WAM!” was my suggestion. To be back with WAM! is amazing. My many ringette friends seem like extended family and the learning never stops. I look forward to another terrific season.