ABOUT US

Lee has over 25 years experience helping and guiding hockey athletes to achieve scholarships in the US and Canada. He has mentored over 500 hockey players and was an integral part of two National Championships and Dudley Hewitt Cups with the 2004 Aurora Tigers and 2008 Trenton Goldhawks. Today, Lee is still committed to helping players throughout Ontario Junior Hockey Leagues to embrace positivity and hard work so they may obtain their dream of playing college hockey.

Nicholas is an upcoming graduate with an Honours Political Science Degree and a Legal Studies Specialization from Wilfrid Laurier University. After a successful career in minor hockey and a brief stint in Junior, Nicholas decided to pursue his passion of the law. Currently, he has been the recipient of the Deans Faculty of Arts Honour Role Scholarships for his academic excellence. Avenue Sports provides Nicholas with the valuable skills and communication in his continued development in ongoing educational and legal practices in preparation for Law school.

He seeks to combine both his passion for hockey and the law, by joining us here at Avenue Sports Management.

Steve has over 20 years of experience developing, training, and coaching hockey players to help them advance to higher levels. He has coached 15 years across all levels of minor hockey, including 10 years at the AAA level. With a wealth of knowledge as a coach, player and parent, Steve supports and mentors aspiring hockey players with the successful goal to elevate their game to higher level such as CHL, NCAA, Junior A, and USports pathways. He ensures a positive experience, guiding you every step of the way, so your family can make well-informed decisions with confidence. Steve enjoys mentoring athletes and assisting their families so they can achieve their goals of playing at the highest level possible at all times while understanding what it takes to make it happen. Steve is a former player himself at the AAA and Jr.A level, and represented Canada internationally. He has two sons who have gone through the journey and one who is currently playing in the NCAA at the Division 1 level.

Christine provides therapeutic services for children and families, with over 24 years of experience in the social services field. She utilizes a strength-based, client-centred approach to practice, which focuses on helping clients build on their internal strengths and resources. She has a strong passion for mindset coaching and brings knowledge to build capacity for all people to learn, grow, and thrive.

Her empathetic style allows clients to explore their emotions, challenges, and life transitions that may be impacting their success. She is committed to providing support with concrete strategies to accomplish change and growth for each of her clients.

Tyler Pracek has been in player development in Oakville since 2014, as a Player Development Instructor at Oakville Hockey Academy and Head Instructor of Bronko Academy. Tyler has a strong understanding of the game and how a modern approach is changing the game of hockey. He is able to create drills that focus on improving players’ weaknesses, but also make them fun and creative. These aspects translate into game scenarios which give players the ability to read and react to offensive and defensive plays and help improve decision making.

Brendt Barrett aka Coach B is a lifelong athlete and competitor. A former football player, he has worked with dozens of athletes in building their strength conditioning, agility, and mindset. He works to improve the performance level of as many athletes as possible across various sports; with hopes of helping to make them healthier and more viable. Brendt is also chairperson of the Non profit social enterprise ,Athletic Eatery. Based on offering athletic support and advocating physical literacy, the goal of this company is to provide a support structure for Canadian athletes who are often under supported, and value nutritional education.

With a Bachelors of Education from the University of Ottawa and over 10 years as an educator, Alex has a passion for helping youth achieve their potential. In the world of basketball, he has spent time with the Canadian National U17 men’s team as an advance scout, and 4 seasons at Wilfrid Laurier as an advance scout and coach.
As an advisor, Alex is able to combine his knowledge of the Canadian basketball landscape with his experience guiding and mentoring young athletes. He is committed to working tirelessly to help basketball players develop their game, and find a home at the amateur and professional levels.

Ryan graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Humber College in 2021. After graduating, he immediately immersed himself in multiple aspects of the basketball world with an eye on helping Canadian talent in every way possible. He began as an event manager for youth basketball events and showcases across the GTA, before moving on to become a Business Development Specialist at Excel Hoops. Recently, he has served as a Marketing Coordinator at RISE Integrated Sports and Entertainment, and works with the CEBL as an event official. With a diverse sports management background and a passion for finding opportunities for young Canadian basketball players, Ryan is poised to make a significant impact in the industry.

My name is Hailey Appleby, I am 22 years old, born and raised in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. In June of 2024, I graduated from Western University with an Honours degree in Kinesiology Sport Management. Growing up, I played competitive volleyball and soccer alongside many other sports. As a soccer player, I was honoured to represent Team Ontario, which inspired me to look at different avenues to grow my game.

In more recent years, I took up golf as my primary sport. I love how golf can keep you
challenged, humbled, exhilarated, and eager to return to the course. I have been around the golf industry for many years and have watched as the game continues to grow in Canada. At Avenue Sports Management, I hope to help young golfers find their way in the industry by choosing a pathway that aligns best with their dreams. I am a helping hand, a shoulder to lean on, and a strong voice in the athlete’s corner.

I believe that accessibility is extremely important for young athletes to ensure all their career options are presented fairly. Becoming an advisor has been a dream of mine since I was going through the recruitment process myself. Having assistance gathering information on schools, professional leagues, or other career options was extremely helpful and allowed for a much more relaxing experience. At Avenue Sports Management, I will use my experience as an athlete and the knowledge attained from my degree to create an enjoyable experience for young athletes to thrive and reach their dreams.

Chris Walls, a native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, possesses a distinguished background in the realm of baseball. With a solid foundation rooted in his hometown, Chris honed his skills as a player by participating in rep baseball for the esteemed Soo Black Sox. Subsequently, he secured a scholarship to attend Missouri Valley College (NAIA), where he further honed his talents on the field. Following his collegiate career, Chris felt compelled to give back to his community, embarking on a coaching journey in the realm of rep baseball.

In addition to his contributions to the baseball world, Chris Walls is also a distinguished entrepreneur and possesses a wealth of knowledge in the field of business administration. As the proprietor of CKW Bookkeeping, he showcases his expertise in financial management and maintains a high level of professionalism in his endeavors. Chris solidified his prowess in business administration by earning a Diploma from the Toronto School of Business.

Chris has augmented his skill set with a Certificate of Sports Business Management from Sports Management Worldwide. This esteemed accreditation has further enhanced his understanding of the intricacies of sports management, empowering him to excel in his various roles within the baseball realm.

With an impressive blend of experience, education, and dedication, Chris Walls exemplifies a consummate professional who continues to make a lasting impact on the world of baseball and business alike.

Gabriel's journey began on the ice, where he had a successful career in minor hockey before turning his focus to education. Graduating with Honours in Business Administration from the Ivey Business School and obtaining his J.D. from the Faculty of Law at the University of Western Ontario, Gabriel is on track to be called to the Bar of the Law Society of Ontario in June 2025. During the pandemic, Gabriel started his own dryland training company to ensure athletes received the proper training to excel on the ice, and worked with his clients to develop workout and meal plans.

With a diverse legal background and extensive client service experience, paired with his passion for hockey, Gabriel is positioned to offer invaluable guidance to players and their families.