Coaching Staff

Head 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 15 years ago participating in every level from bunnies up to the NRL.  My last 3 coaching seasons have all resulted in winning national gold medal titles – last season with the Edmonton WAM! and the previous two seasons as a coach with the U19AA St. Albert Mission.  It has been incredible to be a part of such success with two different teams.

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.  It is amazing to be back with the WAM! again. I was part of the very first WAM! team and the name “WAM!” was my suggestion.  Watching my daughter now wear the WAM! jersey is indescribable. My many ringette friends seem like extended family and the learning never stops.  I look forward to another terrific season.

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.