Fort Erie International Academy is excited to announce the following staff updates for the 2025/26 season:
Gary Friesen – Head Coach, U17
Fort Erie International Academy is pleased to announce that Gary Friesen has officially been named Head Coach of the U17 Prep team, removing the interim tag he held during the 2024–2025 season.
Gary took over midseason and guided the team to a 6–3 CSSHL record, helping establish the team’s identity and competitive standard. His leadership, structure, and focus on development earned him the full-time position heading into the 2025–2026 season.
A former player in both the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), Gary brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for developing young athletes. He has coached extensively in Niagara-on-the-Lake Minor Hockey and currently serves as its Vice President, while also contributing to the NOTL Minor Lacrosse community.
Off the ice, Gary and his wife, both chiropractors, own and operate a multidisciplinary health clinic in Niagara-on-the-Lake. He also leadsÌýFriesen Elite Hockey, a spring development program dedicated to skill advancement, mentorship, and competitive play.
Tyler Fitzgerald – Assistant Coach, U17
Fort Erie International Academy is excited to welcome Tyler Fitzgerald as the new Assistant Coach for the U17 hockey team. Tyler brings a strong background in the game, having competed at the junior, college, and men’s levels. He brings a strong understanding of the game through his firsthand experiences.
Last season, Tyler had the opportunity to coach against Fort Erie and came away impressed by the team’s professionalism, development model, and the positive impact Head Coach Gary Friesen made after joining midway through the year. That experience left a lasting impression and sparked his interest in becoming part of the program.
Now on the FEIA bench, Tyler is eager to contribute to the continued growth of the team. He’s committed to helping players develop not only their skills on the ice but also their character off it, ensuring they reach their full potential in all aspects of life.
We are thrilled to welcome both Gary and Tyler to the FEIA family.
FEIA has also extended contracts of both U18 Head Coach Derek Bachynski and promoted Tyler LeClair to Associate Head Coach.
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