The Komoka Kings are pleased to announce the club’s coaching staff for the 2026-27 season.
Joining Head Coach Brett Hope on the staff are assistant coaches Michael Woolley, Sean O’Brien, and Dylan Thomas, as well as goaltending coach Brendan O’Neill, and Hockey Operations Assistant and Assistant Goaltending Coach, Dave MacDonald.
Woolley is a 32-year-old coach from St. Thomas with a strong foundation in competitive hockey and a passion for player development and winning culture. A former high-level player, he spent six seasons in AAA with the Elgin Middlesex Canucks before a junior career spanning over 200 games with the St. Thomas Stars, Cornwall Colts, Strathroy Rockets, Port Stanley Sailors, and London Nationals. He was selected by the Sarnia Sting in the 2010 OHL Draft and was part of a GOHL Western Conference Championship team with St. Thomas that same year.
Following his playing career, Woolley served as an assistant coach with the Aylmer Spitfires for three seasons, where he was heavily involved in prospect camps, summer development skates, and day-to-day player development. Known for his strong communication skills, attention to detail, and player-first mindset, he is committed to building trust, fostering accountability, and helping athletes reach the next level.
O’Brien, a London native, grew up playing minor hockey with the London Junior Knights before going on to play in the GOHL with the St. Marys Lincolns, Caledonia Corvairs, and Chatham Maroons. His strong performance earned him a spot in the QMJHL, where he played two seasons with the Québec Remparts and Val-d’Or Foreurs.
Following his playing career, he completed a business degree at Western University. Behind the bench, O’Brien has spent the past four seasons coaching within both the Elgin-Middlesex Canucks and London Junior Knights organizations, establishing himself as a respected and dedicated development coach.
Dylan Thomas, born in Lambeth, built a strong hockey career through years of dedication to the game. After four seasons with the Elgin Canucks, he was drafted by the Belleville Bulls before spending four seasons with the St. Thomas Stars, where he captured a Bill Weir Championship. Thomas went on to compete for five seasons in Senior A hockey, winning a championship with the Komoka Classics.
Following his playing career, he transitioned behind the bench and has accumulated over seven years of Junior C coaching experience with North Middlesex, Lambeth, and Aylmer. As an assistant with the Lambeth Lancers, Thomas helped guide the team to both a league championship and a Western Conference championship. In addition to his junior hockey duties, he has spent the past 10 years coaching the Saunders Sabres high school program, mentoring and developing young athletes on and off the ice.
Additionally, Brendan O’Neill returns to the club as Goaltending Coach. After playing his minor hockey with the London Junior Knights, O’Neill played one season in the NOJHL while also appearing in 10 games over two seasons with the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL. He then joined the Strathroy Rockets before playing in the OJHL and CCHL, and his strong performance earned him another OHL opportunity, playing 33 games with the North Bay Battalion in 2013-14. O’Neill went on to have a strong university career at Ontario Tech University before transitioning to coaching.
Also returning to the organization is Dave MacDonald, who joins as Hockey Operations Assistant and Assistant Goaltending Coach. MacDonald spent four seasons as a goaltender in the OHL with the Sudbury Wolves and Guelph Storm and previously served as the Kings’ goaltending coach from 2017 to 2022. He spent the past three seasons in the same role with the Strathroy Rockets before rejoining the Kings. MacDonald will assist General Manager Roop Chanderdat and Assistant General Manager Adam Simpson in hockey operations while contributing to the development of the club’s goaltenders.
Head Coach Brett Hope expressed his enthusiasm about the completed staff:
“I’m incredibly excited to welcome all of these gentlemen to our coaching staff. Each of them played the game the right way, competed for championships, brought passion every day, and most importantly, were outstanding teammates. They each bring a unique perspective and strength to our staff, helping create a well-rounded and complete coaching group. Our players — and myself included — are fortunate to have such high-quality people and coaches joining our program.”
Kings President and General Manager Roop Chanderdat added:
“We are proud to have built a coaching staff filled with young, passionate coaches, experienced both on the ice and behind the bench. Each of these guys has been through junior hockey and knows what it takes to get to the next level and succeed, so they can truly relate to today’s players. We are pleased to welcome Michael, Sean, Dylan, Brendan, and Dave, and feel they will complement Head Coach Brett Hope very well.”
The Kings’ pre-season is set to get underway in August as the club prepares for a strong return in 2026-27.
