Current Staff

Administration

Troy G Ward Owner

From the time he first put on skates, hockey has been a major part of Troy Ward's life. Hockey and Sons, a trailblazing summer camp, will mark its 27th year in 2024.

The North St. Paul native captained a NAIA championship at UW Eau claire. He later coached his alma mater for 3 seasons. Troy's hockey career grew from there, coaching in the USHL, WHL, NCAA, AHL, EBEL, and NHL. In 2001, he moved to the executive side for a season as VP and Director of Hockey Operations for the ECHL.

In addition to his leadership with Hockey and Sons, Troy is the Associate Head Coach of MNSU Mankato.

"I set out to create a special bond between me and my sons, in a unique setting of a hockey rink. The game of hockey captures so many emotions, for both the parent and child, developing over a period of time. I wanted to foster that for a lifetime."

Marilyn M Ward Administrative Assistant

She is often the first face campers see when they arrive at Hockey and Sons, Marilyn is the behind the scenes guru of the camp.

Marilyn manages the year-round aspects of Hockey and Sons with registration, bookkeeping, and communication. She can also be found at camp, helping with the day to day administrative tasks. A native of Middleton, WI Marilyn attended UW Madison and works as a middle school counselor.

"I love being a part of a program that has such long-lasting effects on families. Hearing both the parents and the kids say that Hockey and Sons is the best week of the year, brings a huge smile to my heart. It makes sleeping in a dorm room for 4 nights totally worth it!"

Coaches

Sarah Murray Skills Coach

Sarah is a native of Faribault, MN and she played women's hockey for Shattuck-St Mary's. She went on to play for the MN Duluth Bulldogs (WCHA) where she was a two-tie NCAA Women's Ice Hockey Tournament national chamtion (2008, 2010). Sarah begin her professional coaching career as the head coach of the South Korean National Women's Hockey Team and successfully coached there from 2014-2018. In 2019, she returned to Faribault as the head coach of the St Mary's University of MN Cardinals women's hockey team.

"Hockey and Daughters has been an unbelievable experience for me, being able to work with the wonderful staff and be a part of such an impressionable camp is something I look forward to every summer. Being on the ice with the girls and their mom or dad is so special, watching them improve their hockey skills while laughing together."

Taylor Gulenchyn Skills Coach

A Stillwater, MN native, Taylor grew up a talented athlete, playing AAA hockey for the Madison Capitals where she lead them to a State Championship in 2013. She finished her high school career as captain for Bauer Emerson Hockey Academy, ranking 8th in the nation. Taylor went on to play 5 years for MNSU Mankato, receiving the Mavericks' Tiffany Searles Memorial Award in 2020 and 2021. She is currently the head coach for the U19 Ice Cougars and plays an instrumental role in advocating and furthering women's hockey.

"Coming to Hockey and Daughters and being surrounded by a staff that is driven and supportive made my whole experience one I will never forget. Not only is this camp helping each girl get better, it also allows parents to learn more about the game. In all the years I have helped out at this camp, as a counselor or coach, I have never once seen a player or parent leave the rink without a smie on their face."

Emily Bickford Skills Coach

Emily brings a wealth of hockey experience to Hockey and Daughters. The Crosslake, MN native played 4 years of Division 1 hockey at Union College in NY. She started her coaching career working with girls in the Blaine youth system and has been a steady presence in the USA Hockey Clinics. She was co-head coach for a season with the Gentry HS team and now helps coach the Madison Capitols girls' AAA team. Emily will be working with a very familiar face at camp--her husband, Gaven Bickford.

"Hockey and Daughters is a camp concept I wished was around while I was growing up learning to play. My dad, a BSU alum, was my inspiration, biggest supporter and coach growing up. I would have loved going to a cmap like this with him for a week! Growing the game of women's hockey is something I am passionate about, but even more so, I enjoy mentoring and teaching young athletes the avenues hockey can provide; the life skills, lessons and relationships hockey will pave for you throughout your lifetime."

Gaven Bickford Skills Coach

Gaven brings a wealth of on-ice experience to Hockey and Daughters. The Crosslake, MN defenseman played collegiately at Siena College. He went behind the bench as an Asst. Coach with the MN Magicians. In 2021, Gaven moved to the Madison Capitols (USHL) as Asst. Coach and Director of Scouting. During his tenure with both teams, Gaven has overseen 5 NHL draft selections including Quinn Finley who was selected in the 3rd round of the 2022 NHL draft by the New York Islanders. Gaven will be working with a very familiar face at Hockey and Daughters--his wife, Emily Erickson.

"I love the idea of Hockey and Daughters and continuing to help grow girls' hockey. It is a great family atmosphere that builds the relationship between parents and their daughters, as well as their love for the game of hockey."

Erik Strand Tactics Coach

Erik has been the head coach for the successful UW Eau Claire women's hockey team for the past 9 years. The Blugolds had a school record of 23 wins in 2022 and advanced to the NCAA Division III tournament. Erik has been behind the bench for a pair of WIAC championships and his .716 winning percentage is the best in the school's history. The Bloomington, MN native played for UW Eau Claire and was an assistant men's hockey coach for his alma mater for 8 seasons.

"I enjoyed going to Hockey and Sons for 9 years which is why it was a yes when Troy asked if I wanted to be part of Hockey and Daughters. Most camps you drop your child off and then become a spectator. This camp is rare, where you get to experience it with your child. The memories made are priceless and there has not been a camp yet when I didn't leave learning something about the game itself."

Jeff Giesen Tactics Coach

A three-decade veteran of the college coaching scene, Jeff has been on the Hockey and Daughters staff since the beginning. The Blaine, MN native first went behind the bench in 1992 when he joined John Harrington's staff at St. John's. When the Johnnies won the league title in 1996, it was their first crown in 46 seasons.

From 2003-2014 Jeff was on the coaching staff for St. Cloud State's women's team. Then in 2015, he rejoined Harrington in Mankato as the associate head coach of the MN State women's team, where he remains today.

"Hockey and Daughters is one of the most unique camps I have ever been involved with. They have such quality coaches and good people involved that have a passion and care for developing the players and sharing in the parent-child experience."

Mark Greenhalgh Goalie Coach

Mark has been on the goalie scene for neary 5 decades. A member of the Janesville Sports Hall of Fame, Mark has been the goalie coach for the successful UW Badger Women's Hockey Team since 2007. Four of his former pupils, Jessie Vetter, Alex Rigsby-Cavalini, Ann-Renee Desbiens, Kristen Campbell, have won Olympic Medals. As a player, Mark walked on at WI, and after 2 seasons, he played briefly for the Madison Blues in the Continental Hockey League.

"The most gratifying aspect of coaching is seeing the genuine joy a young player shows from playing hockey or learning something new. Having the opportunity to share that experience with a parent makes it even greater. The Hockey & Daughters camp provides that environment."

Madison Mashuga Dry Land Coach

Maddie is native of Anoka, MN where she was a three-sport athlete in hockey, golf, and soccer. As a hockey player, she was captain her senior year and part of the NAHA U19 Championship with the MN Whitecaps, in 2019. Maddie is currently a player on the women's hockey team at MNSU Mankato. She is in her fifth year, majoring in exercise science with an emphasis on physical therapy.

"When I was younger, I wish I knew about Hockey and Daughters so I could have attended with my dad. This camp is an amazing experience for developing skills on and off the ice and growing the connection between parent and child. I also loved meeting all of the new people!"