Meet the Instructors

We’re lucky to have Mr. Wicks leading our 6-8 female hockey program! 

With over 30 years of coaching experience — including 20 years right here at WMS — he’s helped countless young athletes grow their skills and confidence on the ice. 

Mr. Wicks is a Power Skating Certified, a High Performance 1 Certified Coach, and has coached at both the Arctic Winter Games and the Canada Winter Games. On top of that, he’s spent more than 20 years giving back through the Yellowknife Minor Hockey Association. 

We’re excited for our players to learn from his passion and expertise this season! 

Mr. Sonier has been leading and promoting our Co-Ed Hockey program for over 3 years!

A lifelong hockey player, referee, and coach, his playing career included time in the QMJHL, AJHL and CIS with Université de Moncton. As a coach, he has led high school teams, trained for Development 1 and Checking Clinic certifications, and certified Level 3 Skating Coach certification—the highest offered by the Hockey Institute based in Calgary. From 2018 to 2021, he helped organize power skating clinics and lessons with the YKMHA, as well as with Hockey North since 2023.

With a degree in Physical Education and over 10 years of coaching experience, Mme. Laura brings both passion and expertise to the Wildcats community. While much of her background is in basketball, Mme. Laura has also coached across a variety of other sports, including provincial-level teams in Newfoundland and Labrador. Shen is certified in multiple NCCP multi-sport modules, including Fundamental Movement Skills, Safe Sport Training, and Making Ethical Decisions. A lifelong lover of sports, she is dedicated to helping students build skills, confidence, and a love for active living.

Yellowknife Gymnastics Club

Alfredo Solis Calderon (he/him) joined the YKGC as Head Coach in 2024. He has decades of international coaching and judging experience and a lifelong passion for gymnastics. On top of overseeing all of the YKGC's gymnastics programming, Alfredo currently coaches in XCel Gold, CCP 6, and P1-2.  

Yellowknife Gymnastics Club

Brooklyn Hewitt started her coaching journey at the YKGC in 2023. She currently coaches in the Recreational program and holds certifications in Gymnastics and Trampoline foundations. Outside of gymnastics, Brooklyn is an active member of her school's sports community and aims to participate in every school sports tournament during her grade 12 year! 

Bella Dance Academy

Katie Schauerte is an interdisciplinary contemporary artist born and raised in the Northwest Territories, the traditional land of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. She began her dance journey at a young age with Bella Dance Academy, and later moved to Victoria to finish high school and pursue her dance career further. Katie has just recently completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with a major in Dance at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. She is now teaching full time at Bella Dance Academy and is excited to bring what she’s learned back to her community!