Hockey Operations

Jeremy Blumes brings over 20 seasons of hockey experience as a player, coach, scout, consultant, and league executive. He currently serves as Head Coach and General Manager of the Ontario Jr. Reign and as Executive Director of the San Diego Sabers. His coaching resume spans Junior A leagues including the AJHL, SJHL, and KIJHL, as well as Midget AAA in Alberta. Known for building programs from the ground up, Blumes has a proven track record of transforming underperforming teams into champions.

After earning a U18 Alberta Provincial Championship and being named Hockey Calgary’s Coach of the Year, he took over the dormant Wheatland Kings program, recruiting an entire team from scratch and leading them on a deep playoff run. In the KIJHL, he orchestrated one of the greatest turnarounds in Junior Hockey history with the Golden Rockets—taking a 3-win team to the playoffs with 20 rookie recruits, many of whom advanced to Junior A or college programs.

Since relocating to Southern California, Blumes has led the Ontario Jr. Reign through four seasons of rapid growth and rising success in the USPHL’s Pacific Division. Under his leadership, the team has compiled a 104-27-4 record, earned a top-5 national ranking, and captured a Division Championship. In 2023, the Reign swept their rivals, the Fresno Monsters, to earn a berth at Nationals in Utica, NY. The Reign remain one of the league’s most respected programs, recognized for their structure, and commitment to player advancement.

Off the ice, Blumes prioritizes player development through meaningful community involvement. From volunteering across the region to engaging with youth in local schools, Reign players gain leadership skills and real-world experience that enhance both their personal growth and future opportunities. This season, players are teaching Road Hockey Rulez! at nearby elementary schools—a rewarding initiative that allows them to inspire the next generation. These shared experiences build team chemistry and forge the unbreakable bonds that define the OJR culture.

Phillips previously served as an assistant coach with the Jr. Ducks 18U AA team and currently holds the same role with the Lady Ducks 14U AAA program.

In addition to his youth coaching experience, Phillips has worked with the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks since the 2020–21 season as a gameday assistant, supporting game operations and logistics.

Phillips is also owner operator of the Athlete Advisory Group, a player-focused agency service dedicated to mentorship, video analysis, and position-specific training. A former junior and collegiate player himself, Phillips brings a modern coaching style built on skill development, structured systems, and clear, consistent communication.

Kevin Clark brings a wealth of playing experience and a deep understanding of the game to his role as a Skills Coach. A native of Ontario, Kevin played youth hockey with the Ontario Senators and Midget AAA with the California Stars, before playing in juniors with the Helena Bighorns and NAHL's Aberdeen Wings - ultimately winning a National Championship in Helena. He then went on to play college hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. 

As a former defensive defenseman, Kevin focuses on smart decision making and helping young players understand the game. He's committed to developing confident, well rounded players who play with purpose. 

Originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan, Michael brings over three decades of experience as a hockey defenseman and nearly two decades as a dedicated coach. With 33 years on the ice and 18 years behind the bench, he has worked with players at every level from Mites to College instilling a strong foundation in defensive team play.

Michael specializes in building strong, intelligent defensive play, emphasizing a balanced approach that blends physicality, skill, and hockey IQ. His coaching goes beyond systems and drills, he’s committed to developing players who are not only better athletes but also more disciplined, resilient, and respectful individuals on and off the ice.

Reed's love for hockey began early, watching his uncle play and quickly becoming obsessed with the action on the ice. While he started as a skater, he soon realized the goalie was the true game changer and he wanted that challenge. He began competitive play at age 7 and grew through the ranks, winning a State Championship at the Pee Wee level and competing in major events like the Pacific Coast Regionals and the NAPHL Nationals. He was honored to be selected as the Pacific Region's top goalie and earned other recognitions along the way. He later played in the USPHL, WSHL, and briefly in the NAHL. 

Coaching became Reed's next chapter. Built on years of playing, refereeing, volunteering, and learning from great mentors. He is proud to help the next generation of goaltenders develop their skills, mindset, and love for the game. 

Lior Leibovitz brings a strong background in marketing and player scouting to the Ontario Jr. Reign, contributing both on and off the ice. A 2021 graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a B.S. in Sports Management, Lior gained valuable international experience working with the Hapoel Haifa Basketball Club in Israel during the 2022-2023 season. Now transitioning into hockey, he's eager to apply his skills in a new arena. 

In his role with the Jr. Reign, Lior is responsible for creating and editing video content for the team's social media platforms, while also supporting player scouting and recruitment efforts. His duties include producing scouting reports and highlight reels, managing data entry, and communicating with players, coaches, and team managers. This season, his primary goals are to elevate the team's visibility and help assemble a competitive roster.  

Chris is the Founder and Owner of Compete Sports Performance & Rehab and sets the standard for Compete’s performance training and sports medicine programs. He is a recognized board-certified Athletic Trainer (NATA) and Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA) that possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in the world of performance training and sports rehabilitation. Chris is also an Integrative Corrective Exercise Specialist, Certified Power Plate Trainer, certified Sports Safety Specialist, a member of the Medical Fitness Network, and a preferred provider for US Figure Skating’s National Network of Sports Medicine.

With more than 20 years of experience in professional sports, Chris has served as the Athletic Trainer for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League, The Los Angeles Sol of the Women's Professional Soccer League, and has served as both the Head Athletic Trainer and Head Strength Coach for the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League. More recently, Chris has supervised the sports medicine and performance training programs for the Orange County Blues of the Men’s USL Pro League and Anaheim Bolts of the Professional Indoor Soccer League. Chris is also one of the Co-Founders for 90strong.com, a soccer performance training website where Chris frequently contributes his knowledge of sports medicine and strength & conditioning. He has written for High School Illustrated Magazine, Cali Rubber Magazine, OC Parenting, and Men’s Journal.

While working in the NHL, Chris’s proudest moment was being a member of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finalist, Mighty Ducks. He was also selected as the Head Athletic Trainer for the 2002 Men’s USA Hockey National Team that competed in Sweden. Throughout his career, Chris has worked with elite athletes including Alex Ovechkin, Teemu Selanne, Paul Kariya, JS Giguere, Joy Fawcett, Marta, Shannon Boxx, and Mariah Bell.

From Benalto, Alberta, Braden Bystrom played the majority of his minor hockey career in Sylvan Lake. While there he played four years of junior hockey with BlackFalds, Wetaskiwin, and Rocky Mountain House.

Since then, Braden has been coaching for the past five years with the West Central Tigers Association and is currently an assistant coach with the Calgary Northstars Association. When not on the bench, Braden is attending Mount Royal University where he is currently taking Sport and Recreation Management. 

The 21-year-old Edmonton native entered his fourth year of coaching this season and currently serves as the Assistant Coach of the U16 AA team at South Side Athletic Club (SSAC). 

“I come to the rink every day to help develop these young athletes into elite hockey players both on and off the ice,” said Brett Kramers. “As a scout, I strive to provide athletes with an ambition of developing to higher levels including collegiate hockey. I look forward to helping introduce great hockey players who have proven themselves both on and off the ice.”

Head Coach Jeremy Blumes spoke highly of the new scout saying "Brett is an eager young coach that has demonstrated a dedication for helping young players get to the next level.  We are excited to see what Edmonton area players Brett helps to identify as prospects for our club next season."

Sam previously played in the NCJHL at the Junior C level before graduating from the University of Ottawa. In 2021, Sam earned his Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics with a concentration in Sports Management. 

Before graduating, Sam completed a university internship with Francis Wathier's hockey academy and with the Mont-Bleu team of the LHPS in Quebec.

Currently, Sam is pursuing his master's degree at HEC Montreal in sport management.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Nick Mish previously served as a goalie coach with the Johnstown Tomahawks in the NAHL and is currently a goalie development lead with USA hockey in the mid-am district. 

Coach Mish currently serves as Founder of ETM Goaltending + Development, a goaltending school that began in Pennsylvania and has since expanded to cover parts of Ohio, and Indiana.  ETM serves as goalie coach for multiple AAA organizations including Esmark Stars and Culver Academy as well as many pro and college goaltenders. 

As a junior player, Mish was drafted by the Erie Otters being selected in the thirteenth round of the 1999 OHL Draft. He previously spent time with Golden Rockets (BC) winning rookie of the year, and the Kimberly Dynamiters jr A in the now-defunct rocky mountain junior hockey league.

Originally from Lappeenranta, Finland, Alex started playing hockey at the age of eight. The defenseman spent most of his junior career in Finland, most recently playing for CSKA Sofia in Bulgaria.

Turunen scouts not only in Finland but across Europe to find some of the best young talent to bring to the Ontario Jr. Reign. His favorite players are those who work hard and read the game well. He believes his knowledge and experience in the game will help bring the best talent to the Ontario Jr. Reign.

Dr. Koutures grew up in Irvine, CA, and attended Irvine High School before earning a B.S. in Kinesiology at UCLA. He went on to obtain his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and spent three additional years in Madison for his pediatric residency working in one of the first pediatric sports medicine programs in the United States. After returning to California in 1997, Dr. Koutures completed a one-year sports medicine fellowship with UC San Diego.

In 2008, Dr. Koutures fulfilled a lifetime dream by serving as the Medical Team Physician for USA Volleyball and Table Tennis in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. He is currently the team physician for the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Volleyball Teams, Cal State Fullerton Intercollegiate Athletics, Chapman University Dance Department, and Orange Lutheran Athletics.

Dr. Koutures is currently a mentor for pediatric residents and medical and athletic training students and speaks at local, regional, and national conferences on sports medicine topics.

He recently completed a six-year elected term as a member of the Executive Committee for the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness. Dr. Koutures has also authored over 25 published articles and served as co-editor for the textbook Pediatric Sports Medicine: Essentials for Office Evaluation published by SLACK Incorporated in 2013. Still, a dedicated athlete, Dr. Koutures enjoys mountain biking, yoga with his wife, and coaching (and/or chasing after) their three children.