The Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association (KOHA) is excited to announce Rex Trott and Nick Kakabeeke as Co-Head Coaches of the 10U A (2012) K-Wings for the 2021-22 season.

“This is such an important age group to find coaches that embrace our club’s development philosophy while also fostering a healthy and smooth transition from 8U to 10U, manage parent expectations, and provide a FUN environment for the kids,” said KOHA’s Hockey Director, Matt Kakabeeke. “Rex and Nick work well together and bring a tremendous amount of experience to the table. I believe they will provide an exceptional experience for our first year travel players,” Kakabeeke added.

Rex is a native of Walled Lake, MI and played ACHA Div I hockey at Western Michigan University. He began coaching in 2003 (all the way through the Junior A level) and is a scout in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) for the Johnstown Tomahawks. Rex returned to coaching at the grassroots level, as a dad, and says “I’m honored to be selected as one of the coaches for the 10U A K-Wings Team. They are an extremely talented, and passionate group of young athletes, that I have had the privilege to watch grow since Learn to Skate. I truly believe that what Coach Nick and myself have to offer, can help further develop responsible, hard working, and respectful young players. This is going to be a fun group to watch!”

Nick is a Kalamazoo native, local business owner (BJ Sports and Bulls/Bandits Lacrosse) and Level 4 coach with 26 years of experience, including being chosen three times by USA Hockey as a 14U Selects Coach. “I’m thrilled about the opportunity to coach the KWings 10U A K-Wings team. I’ve been on the ice with this age group since Beginning Hockey and I’ve seen tremendous growth over the last 4 years. There is a lot of talent among the 2012’s and I can’t wait to see it all unfold in the 21/22 season. What’s most important at this age is that the kids have fun while developing their game, and I’m excited to be a part of that,” says Nick.

Join us in congratulating Rex and Nick on being named K-Wings 10U A Co-Head Coaches for the 2021-22 season!