Reid Hnatowich
Owner & Head Instructor
reidhnatowich@pushithockey.com

Reid Hnatowich​

Reid Hnatowich enters his seventh season with the Okotoks Oilers in 2024-25. Hnatowich has worked with players at nearly all levels, from professionals in the NHL, AHL, and ECHL to high-end performers in the NCAA, WHL, and CJHL, to the earliest ages of hockey development. Certified HP1 by Hockey Canada, he serves as both an on-ice instructor with Tanbridge Academy and owner of Push It Hockey Ltd, which operates development camps throughout the year in Southern Alberta as well as partnering with both the Calgary Northstars and Calgary Buffaloes. Ethan Eskit and Brody Hailwood are also part of the talented team of instructors at Okotoks Oilers, bringing their expertise and passion for the game to help players reach their full potential. Derek Purfield brings his wealth of experience to the Okotoks Oilers for his 12th season in 2024-25. With a background in coaching at various levels and a focus on goaltending development, Purfield has made a significant impact on the players he works with. His success has been evident through the achievements of goalies under his guidance, including top accolades in the AJHL and nominations for top goalie awards. Blake Wells, an NCAA Division I Student Athlete and recent graduate from the University of Massachusetts, adds to the Oilers' coaching staff with his knowledge and experience in strength and conditioning. His dedication to helping athletes improve their overall performance is a valuable asset to the team.

Brody Hailwood
Director of Hockey Development
brodyhailwood@pushithockey.com

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Brody Hailwood enters his fifth season with the Okotoks Oilers in 2024-25 as Assistant Coach and Equipment Manager.
A team alumnus, he suited up in 40 games for the Oilers in the 2015-16 season before beginning his coaching career with the South East Athletic Club (SEAC) in Medicine Hat, for whom he played prior to his junior career. He served as an assistant coach for the U16 AAA Tigers for 3 years, and subsequently moved to Okotoks for an assistant coach role with the U18 Okotoks Oilers of the AEHL
Certified HP1 by Hockey Canada, Hailwood also serves as a lead on-ice instructor with Push It Hockey Ltd.

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Blake Wells
Strength & Conditioning Coach


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Blake Wells is an NCAA Division I Student Athlete who has recently graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science.  Blake was recognized for his work in the classroom by being named to the Deans List in every school  semester with his time at U-Mass Lowell. Blake was recognized as a leader with his on ice pursuits and was named an Assistant Captain in his last two years of college hockey. Blake recently finished his clinical practice in Massachusetts where he worked with college and Highschool athletes as well as adaptive athletes to improve their overall Strength & Conditioning. Blake attended American International College in the 2023-2024 season where he played another season of collegiate hockey and earned his MBA. Blake’s knowledge and experience working with some of the top Strength & Conditioning Coaches in the game today allow him to implement similar high performance programing at Push It Hockey.


Derek Purfield
Goaltender Instructor
derek@okotoksoilers.com

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Derek Purfield enters his 12th season with the Okotoks Oilers in 2024-25.
Purfield spent six seasons with the Calgary Buffaloes organization before joining the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League for five seasons. Simultaneously to the latter assignment, he served on the coaching staff of the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.
Purfield also consults for Hockey Alberta with their regional goaltending development and Under-16 programs. He won a silver medal at the 2017 WHL Cup as goaltending coach of Team Alberta, and served on the coaching staff of Team Alberta at the 2019 and 2023 Canada Winter Games.
His tenure with the Oilers has included a win by Riley Morris as AJHL Top Goaltender in 2017-18, as well as top goalie nominations for Morris in 2016-17, Brady Parker in 2018-19 and 2019-20, and Jack McNaughton in 2021-22.
Ethan Eskit
Goaltender Instructor


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Ethan Eskit, a junior goalie instructor at Push-It Hockey and a WHL goaltender for the Brandon Wheat Kings, delivers highly technical and detail-oriented training sessions focused on modern goaltending techniques. His sessions emphasize efficient crease movement, precise depth management, and elite-level puck tracking, ensuring goalies develop a structured yet reactive style. With a strong emphasis on situational reads and rebound control, Eskit’s coaching integrates pro-level drills that enhance footwork, recovery speed, and overall net presence.