Staff

Adam Stern

DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

About Adam:

Lambeth, Ontario native
Drafted by Toronto Blue Jays out of high school in 1998
Attended the University of Nebraska
Played in the 2001 College World Series for Nebraska
Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2001 draft by the Atlanta Braves
2004 - MVP for AA Greenville
Played in the Cape Cod League, Arizona Fall League, and Winter Ball in the Dominican Republic
2 Time AA Southern League All-Star (2004, 2009)
Played in the MLB with the Boston Red Sox (2005-2006), Baltimore Orioles (2007) and Milwaukee Brewers (2010)
Played 8 years for the Canadian National team
2-time Olympian with Team Canada at Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008
Played in the WBC for Team Canada in 2006 and 2009
Stubby Clapp award winner and Team Canada World Cup MVP (2010)
Coach with the Canadian Junior National Team (2011-Present)
2013-2018 - Scout for the Boston Red Sox
2020-Present - Canadian Scouting Supervisor for the Kansas City Royals

Chris Robinson

DIRECTOR OF BASEBALL OPERATIONS | CATCHING COORDINATOR

About Chris:

Native of Dorchester, Ontario
Played college baseball at the University of Illinois
2-time All-Big Ten catcher
9-time member of the Canadian National Team
2002 - Drafted out of high school by the New York Mets
2005 - Drafted in the 3rd round by the Detroit Tigers
2006 - Starting catcher in the World Baseball Classic
2008 - Starting catcher for the Canadian Olympic team in Beijing
2009 - Starting catcher on the World Cup Bronze Medalist team
2009 - Was the MVP with the Iowa Cubs
2009 - Was named the starting catcher for the Pacific Coast League All-Star team
2011 - Named to the World Cup All-Star team as the starting catcher
2011 - Gold Medalist for Team Canada at the Pan Am Games
2012 - Inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
2013 - Made his Major League debut with the San Diego Padres
2015 - Gold Medalist for Team Canada at the Pan Am Games
Coach with the Canadian Junior National Team

Jamie Romak

DIRECTOR OF PLAYER PERFORMANCE | 18U MANAGER

About Jamie:

Native of London, Ontario
Starting infielder in the AA Texas League Championship
2-time Canadian Junior National team starting 3B
2003 - Drafted in the 4th round by the Atlanta Braves
2007 - Played for the Canadian Senior Team
2010 - Named Player of the Week three times and “Topps” June Player of the Month
2010 - Played in Puerto Rico where Team Canada qualified for the 2011 Pan Am Games / World Cup
2010 - Named to the All-Star Team and the All-Tournament MVP
2011 - Gold Medalist for Team Canada at the 2011 Pan Am Games
2012 - Inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
2013 - Played AAA for Memphis in the Pacific Coast League
2013 - Led the team in doubles, 2nd in RBI’s and 2nd in HR's
2013 - Ranked 3rd in the Pacific League with 22 HR’s
2013 - Signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers
2013 - Played Winter Ball in the Dominican Republic
2014 - Debuted in the MLB with the Los Angeles Dodgers
2015 - Appeared in 12 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks
2016 - Played with the Yokohama Bay Stars in the NPB
2017-2021 - Had a legendary career with the SK Wyverns/SSK Landers in the Korean Baseball Organization
Slashed .273/.376/.532 during his time in the KBO, hitting 155 home runs
2020 - Won the prestigious Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s Tip O’Neill Award
As an honour, Romak's No. 27 is awarded to upcoming foreign players to play for the Landers

Brock Kjeldgaard

17U MANAGER | FIELD COORDINATOR | STRENGTH COORDINATOR

About Brock:

Native of London, Ontario
2005 - Member of the gold medal winning team at the Canada Summer Games
2006 - Named Academic All-American
2005 - Drafted in the MLB draft by the Milwaukee Brewers
2006/2007 - Pitched two seasons for the Helena Brewers
2008 - Converted from a pitcher to a first baseman/outfielder
2008 - Named to the Pioneer League All-Star team and named Team MVP
2009 - Split time between first base/outfield for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
2010 - Played for the Brevard County Manatees
2011 - Gold Medalist for Team Canada at the 2011 Pan Am Games
2011-2014 - Played AA for Huntsville in the Southern League
2012 - Invited to MLB Spring Training for the Milwaukee Brewers
2012 - Assigned to the 40 man roster for the Milwaukee Brewers
2012 - Played in the Arizona Fall League
2012 - Inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame as a part of the Team Canada roster for the 2011 Pan Am Games
2013 - Ranked 1st in the Southern League with 24 HR’s and 70 RBI’s.
2015 - Gold Medalist for Team Canada in the Pan Am Games
2016 - Inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame as a part of the Team Canada roster for the 2015 Pan Am Games

Jeff Helps

16U MANAGER | INFIELD COORDINATOR

About Jeff:

Played minor baseball in Wyoming, Ontario
Played for the Sarnia Braves for two years
Attended St. Clair County Community College
Attended Central Michigan University from 2005 to 2008
2008 - Played for the London Majors helping the team win the Inter- County Baseball League Pennant
2008 - Named IBL playoff MVP
2009 - Starting shortstop for the Kansas City T-Bones
2010 - Played for the Kalamazoo Kings of the Frontier League
2011 - Helped the Quebec Capitales win their 3rd consecutive Can-Am league championship
2012 & 2013 - Can-Am League Champion
2012 - Can-Am All Star Shortstop

Shane Davis

PITCHING COORDINATOR

About Shane:

Native of Belmont, Ontario
Played minor ball with London Tecumsehs of the EBBA
2005 - Played for the St Thomas Tomcats, Jr Intercounty Baseball League
2005 - Won a gold medal with Team Ontario in the 2005 Canada Cup
2005 - Selected to the Junior National Team training roster
2008 - Attended Canisius College in Buffalo, NY
2008 - Went 12-1 with a 2.42 Era with 10 complete games as a freshman
2008 - Named Third-Team All-American by three organizations
2008 - Named Freshman All-American by five organizations
2008 - Named to the Rawlings NCAA Northeast Region First Team by ABCA
2008 - First pitcher in league history to win MAAC Rookie of the Year and Pitcher of the Year in the same season
2008 - Four-time MAAC Rookie of the Week
2008 - Starting pitcher for the Eastern Division in NYCBL All-Star Game
2009 - Named preseason All-American by NCBWA and Collegiate Baseball
2009 - Named to the Golden Spikes Watch List, Wallace Award Watch List
2009 - Set Canisius College program record for career with on April 10th
2009 - Named to MAAC All-Tournament Team
2010 - Named to All-MAAC First Team for second time in career
2010 - Drafted in the 42 round by the Toronto Blue Jays
2011 - Played Vancouver Canadians and won the Northwest League Championship
2012 - Played for the Bluefield Blue Jays
2021 - Elected to the Canisius College Sports Hall of Fame

Derek Bloomfield

15U MANAGER | INFIELD/HITTING INSTRUCTOR | JUNIOR CANADIANS PROGRAM DIRECTOR

About Derek:

Played minor baseball in Strathroy until he was 17 years old
At 18-years-old joined the Lower Great Lakes Baseball Academy Seahawks
Played at Macomb College in Michigan, Hill College in Texas, and Concordia University in Alabama
Attended the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series
Signed professionally with the Cook County Cheetahs (Frontier League)
Played for the London Majors
Coached with Strathroy minor baseball, the Strathroy Royals senior team, and the Lower Great Lakes Baseball Academy Seahawks
He had a hitting tunnel in Strathroy named for his father, with a plaque of special appreciation naming him on its side
He was also given a Medal of Distinction from the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc in recognition of his community engagement and volunteerism
Spent time as an associate scout for the Kansas City Royals
Has been with the Great Lake Canadians since inception

Matt Bowden

14U MANAGER | INFIELD INSTRUCTOR

About Matt:

Native of Lambeth, Ontario
Played at University of Western from 2014-2018
Played at Fanshawe College 2019
2013 Gold Medal at Midget Canadian National Championship
2016 OUA Champions
2017 OUA Champions
2018 Western Baseball MVP
2019 OCAA Bronze Medal
2019 NCBC Bronze Medal at College National Championships
2019 NCBC Tournament All Star

Larry Balkwill

CATCHING/HITTING INSTRUCTOR

About Larry:

Played minor baseball in Chatham, Ontario
Played minor baseball with the Riverside Royals and Windsor Selects
2008 - Won gold at the Canada Cup with Ontario Youth Team
2008-2009 - Canadian Junior National Team member
2009 - drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 41st round
Attended NCAA Division 1 Siena College (Albany, NY) 2009-2013
2013 - Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All Tournament Team
2013 - Played for the London Majors
2014 - Played for the Quebec Capitales in the Can-Am League
2015 - 2018 - Played for the Windy City Thunderbolts in the Frontier League
2019 - Spent time with the Ottawa Champions in the Can-Am, and the Chicago Dogs in the American Association

Dalton Harvey

ASST. PITCHING COORDINATOR

About Dalton:

Original member of the Great Lake Canadians Program as a player.
Attended NJCAA Dodge City Community College in Dodge City, Kansas for 2 years.
All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College West Team honors as a sophomore.
Ranked second in KJCAA and fourth in NJCAA in saves as a sophomore.
Transferred to NCAA Division 1 Illinois State University.
Winning Pitcher of 2019 NCAA regional opening game against Indiana.
2019 Missouri Valley Conference Champion

Ryan Zimmer

ROVING INSTRUCTOR

About Ryan:

Zimmer grew up playing baseball in London, winning the 2009 triple crown with the London Badgers as champions of the elimination round, the provincial round, and nationals.
2009 - Was named Baseball Ontario’s Senior Player of the Year, also bringing home a bronze from the Canada Cup with the Ontario Youth Team.
2010 - Won bronze at nationals with the Badgers
2011 - Earned a scholarship to Lee University, where he played for five years, attending the NAIA World Series in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
2012 - Attended nationals with the St. Thomas Tomcats, and was named Pitcher of the Year with the Tomcats in 2011, 2012 and 2013 as well.
2013 - Attended nationals with the Windsor Selects, and the following two years he competed at the NCCAA World Series.
2015 - Graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education.

Garan Stevens

INF/HITTING INSTRUCTOR

About Garan:

Thorndale, Ontario Native
2013 Canada Summer Games Athlete
2013 Tournament 12
2013-2015 Playing with the Great Lake Canadians
2015-2019 playing at Missouri Southern State University (Joplin, MO)

Ron Oneson

17U COACH

About Ron:

2001- Played on the triple crown winning London Badgers as champions of the provincial eliminations, OBA title and 18U nationals.
2004-2007- Played college baseball at Ashland University (Ohio) helped the 2006 team to appear in the NCAA College World Series in Montgomery Alabama.
2004-2005- All conference honorable mention
2004, 2008 – Played on the London Majors helping the team to appear in the inter-county finals both years
2008-2010- Assistant Coach London Badgers
2011-2012- Assistant Coach St Thomas Tomcats
2012 - Assistant Coach Ashland University
2012-2019 -Head Coach for the Ontario Nationals of the CPBL
2014-Present- Player for the Strathroy Royals senior team, helped the
2016 team to appear in the Baseball Canada Men’s National Championship, earning a sliver metal and being named to the all-tournament team.

Tyler Whitbread

ROVING PITCHING INSTRUCTOR

About Tyler:

• 2013-2015 - Great Lake Canadians member

• 2015 - Canadian Junior National Team member

• 2015 - Participant in u18 Baseball World Cup in Osaka, Japan

• 4 Year NCAA Division 1 player at Indiana State University

• 2019 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Champion

Craig Jacques

14U MINOR MANAGER

About Craig:

Native of Delhi, ON
Played minor baseball for Delhi, Port Dover and the London Badgers
2006-2008 - Played Junior College baseball at St. Clair County CC (MI) and Blue Ridge CC (NC)
2006-2008 - Played for the St Thomas Tomcats
2008-2013- Played in the OUA for Brock University (08-12) and Western University (12-13)
2008 OUA Silver Medalist
2010 OUA Champion and CIBA National Silver Medalist
2010 Brock Defensive Player of the Year
2009-2018 - Played for the Strathroy Royals reaching Canadian Senior Nationals in 2010 and 2016
2016 Senior National Silver Medalist
2019-2023 - Youth Baseball Developer for the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Academy

Cal Theal

14U MINOR MANAGER & ROVING PITCHING INSTRUCTOR

About Cal:

Native of Niagara Falls, ON
Played minor rep baseball for the Greater Niagara Baseball Association Falcons
2017-2018 - Great Lake Canadians pitcher
2018-2023 - NCAA D1 pitcher at Niagara University
2019 - Played for the Lethbridge Bulls in the Western Canadian Baseball League
2023 - Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Academic Team
2023 - IBL Hamilton Cardinals pitching coach

Cam Sanderson

13U DIRECTOR/MANAGER | INFIELD/HITTING COORDINATOR

About Cam:

Native of Ilderton, Ontario
Played minor baseball for the Ilderton Red Sox andNorth London Nationals
2013-2018 played with the Great Lake Canadians
2016 & 2017 Tournament 12
2018-2023 played with the University of BritishColumbia
2019 played with the Fort McMurray Giants of the WCBL
2020 Academic All-Canadian
2022 played with the Kamloops Northpaws of the WCL
2023 Cascade Collegiate Conference All-Academic Team
2023 Cascade Collegiate Conference Regular Season +Tournament Champion
2024 Assistant Coach UBC Thunder Junior PBL

Kyle Maves

18U ASSISTANT COACH | 13U MANAGER | ROVING HITTING AND INFIELD INSTRUCTOR

About Kyle:

2016-2018 Great Lake Canadian
Great Lake Canadians 2018 Organizational MVP
Five year starter at Quinnipiac University 2018-2023
2019 Bristol Blues in the Futures Collegiate baseball league
2021, 2022 Ocean State Waves in the New England Collegiate Baseball League
2023, 2024 Barrie Baycats IBL
2019 MAAC conference champion
2021 New England Collegiate Baseball League All Star
2023 Second Team All-MAAC
Captain of the winningest team in Quinnipiac Baseball history (2023)
Quinnipiac All time career record holder in stolen bases and walks
Quinnipiac Division one career record holder in triples
Quinnipiac single season record holder in hits, stolen bases
MAAC rookie of the week (04/23/19)
4 time MAAC All Academic team

Kian Bukala

13U COACH | INFIELD/HITTING INSTRUCTOR

About Kian:

Hometown: London, Ontario
Grew Up playing for the Oakridge Reds and London Badgers Organizations
Great Lake Canadians Infielder 2013-2017
Played at University of Indianapolis NCAA D2 - SS/2B (2017-2019)
Laurentian University OUA (2019-2021) – SS

Ryan Faragher

14U COACH | CATCHING AND HITTING INSTRUCTOR

About Ryan:

Grew up in Lambeth, Ontario
Played for Great Lake Canadians 2013-2018
Played at Wabash Valley Community College

Mark Shephard

15U PITCHING COACH

About Mark:

1994 Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 43rd round
1995 to 1996 - Pitched for Hill Junior College, Hillsboro, Texas. Junior College Allstar – Texas, New Mexico Junior College Baseball Association
1997 Canada Summer Games gold medalist with Team Ontario
1997 to 1998 - Pitched at the University of Texas at Arlington
1999 - University of Texas at Arlington graduate assistant coach & graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
1999 - Received Honorable Citizen Award from the Town of Strathroy for accomplishments in baseball
1999 - Signed with the New York Yankees as a free agent
2000 to 2001 – New York Yankees minor leagues Gulf Coast League
2002 to 2003 – Played for the London Werewolves in the Frontier Independent League