OKANAGAN HOCKEY EUROPE IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE HIRING OF RICO ROSSI AS ITS NEW GENERAL MANAGER.
Rico joins Okanagan Hockey after 27 years of coaching professional hockey in Italy, Germany and Romania along with holding Sport Director positions throughout this time period. Rico is a Canadian and Italian citizen from Toronto, Ontario.
Rico attended Northeastern University where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. After playing for four years at Northeastern University he went on to play six years of Pro hockey.
“I look forward to this opportunity and am proud to be part of such a prestigious hockey organization like the Okanagan Hockey Group,” said Rico Rossi. “I would also like to thank my previous team Csikszereda for the great success we had together, and the many new friends I made.”
Rossi will be joining the organization on September 1st for the start of the new school year and hockey season. Rico will be joined in St. Pölten by his wife, Debra and daughter, Nicole.
Okanagan Hockey Europe is also excited to announce the addition of Alexandra Gowie as the Strength and Conditioning Lead. Alexandra attended the University of Calgary and University of Alberta where she obtained her degree in Kinesiology. She played six years of Pro hockey along with representing Hungary at the World Championships multiple times.
Alexandra was one of the original female players to attend the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada on the first female team. Alexandra will be working with the Student-Athletes on their strength and conditioning and human performance.
Okanagan Hockey Europe is pleased to announce the addition of Patrick Harand as the Player Development Coach. Patrick joins the organization after 20 plus years of playing Professional hockey and representing Austria on the International stage 10 times. After retiring from playing, Patrick worked in the Graz 99ers organization as a coach and director of player development.
Patrick will be working with the U20 team along with working with all of the teams in the organization on player development.
“We are very excited to add all three to Okanagan Hockey Europe and look forward to taking the organization to the next level”, said Andy Oakes, President, Okanagan Hockey Group and Markus Houben, Managing Director, Okanagan Hockey Europe.