Ralph Aiello
A long-time fan and student of hockey, Ralph has extensive experience as both a player and coach. After graduating from NCAA New England College as an All-American athlete and leading scorer Ralph played pro hockey in Europe and the U.S.
Over the past 20 as a coach, Ralph has helped many players achieve their goals as Olympic Gold medalist, OHL draft picks, signing their first NHL contract, and achieving scholarships to NCAA and post-secondary sports programs, including Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, McGill, and Laurier. Ralph believes hockey can be a means to develop crucial life skills to become the leaders of the future.
Ralph is thrilled to be a part of the Twister organization and looks forward to continuing to help build the program and the athletes who make it great.Don MacDonald
COACHING EXPERIENCE: This will be my 16th year as a member of a coaching staff within the Twisters organization and my 13th year as a head coach. I also was an assistant coach with the Thunder and in the Waterloo boys minor hockey system. In 2019-2020 I was proud to have coached the 3rd ranked U15A team (my Hockey rankings). The teams I have coached have won the following tournaments, International Silver stick, Lake Placid, Pittsburgh Elite, Etobicoke Pink the Rink, Clearview Pink the Rink and Leaside as well as a LLFHL divisional title. I have also been involved in coaching rep soccer up to the elite level over 6 seasons with the Georgetown Soccer Club. Outside the arena, I am a married father of 2 daughters (25 and 23) and I’m a CPA CA in the injection molding industry.
HOCKEY EXPERIENCE: I grew up in Sudbury and played hockey there through the minor hockey system and continue to play in Men’s leagues today. Way back when, I represented the NOHA in the All-Ontario AAA Bantam Championship known then as the Loblaws Cup. I later moved on to play Junior “A” hockey and learned a ton about what it takes to be an elite team player. I still play men’s league hockey twice a week.
COACHING PHILOSOPHY : A Great team is made up of girls that possess the following qualities: dedication, hard work and creativity. I think a well bonded team is key to a fun and enjoyable year for the girls.
SEASON GOALS: Focus on both, individual skill development and situational strategies as well as team systems during our practice time. Develop a fast, puck moving team, with an aggressive forecheck and strong defensive mindset. Teach and evolve an effective power play and penalty kill system.
QUALITIES I AM LOOKING FOR IN PLAYERS: I am looking for hard working and disciplined, players with good hockey sense and the ability to make good decisions under pressure.Lindsay Oliver
Lindsay started her involvement with the Twisters in 2004 as the contact between the then NMGHL and the Twisters. That same season she jumped on the bench with the Peewee B team and the subsequent year with Bantam A.
Pregnancy in 2005 led to taking some time off from teams and staying involved at the board level. Thankfully in 2006 she gave birth to a Twister!
After 4 years as President, she left the board to take on coaching her youngest daughter, Kaedyn.
From the development of the then minor novice program with coach Kevin Salmon through to U13A with the same core of players, it was time for a new challenge with her oldest Twister.
An avid hockey lover from her youth, the pillars of Lindsay’s hockey philosophy are Loyalty, Intensity, Energy and Commitment. Building teams with hard workers and players who care about one another and support each other’s goals and dreams.