Born in the Philippines to a father in the Air Force, Luke Strand moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin at a young age and found a keen interest for hockey. After playing in the USHL for the North Iowa Huskies for two seasons (1991-93), Strand suited up for the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Blugolds (NCAA) where he earned a Kinesiology Degree before embarking on a three-year professional career with Madison of the UHL (1997-00). He began his coaching career as an assistant with Division III power St. Norbert College (NCHA), and then worked as an assistant with the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) for two seasons (2003-05).

Strand returned to Eau Claire, WI to become the Head Coach of his Alma Mater for two seasons, while also serving as the Assistant Athletic Director. A move to the AHL saw Strand as an assistant with the Houston Aeros for a pair of seasons (2007-09) where he worked alongside Troy G. Ward. Prior to his arrival in Abbotsford, Strand returned to the USHL to serve two seasons as Head Coach and GM of the Sioux City Musketeers. Strand is entering his second season as an Assistant Coach in Abbotsford, and calls Green Bay, Wisconsin home in the off-season, where he spends time with his eight year old son, Bryce.

Cail MacLean hails from Middleton, NS but has called many places home over his playing and coaching career. Following four years with the Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) Cail spent an 11-year career in the IHL, AHL and ECHL – spending five seasons as the captain for three different ECHL clubs. MacLean was twice being named an ECHL All-Star, won a Conference Title in 2001 with the Trenton Titans (ECHL) while playing under Troy G. Ward, and spent a half dozen years with the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL) organization transitioning from a player to a coach. After three years on the ice in South Carolina, MacLean was made the Assistant Coach of the Stingrays who were Kelly Cup Champions in 2009. The following season he was anointed the Head Coach. Over two seasons as the Head Coach MacLean compiled a winning percentage of .604 (78-48-18). Cail and wife Keri have a 2-year-old daughter Ashton, and call Abbotsford home.

Growing up just minutes from Abbotsford in Cloverdale, BC, Jordan Sigalet’s goaltending expertise has sent him around the globe and brought him back to his roots to work with the Heat, where he is entering his second season. He spent two seasons with the Victoria Salsa (1999-01, BCHL), winning a league Championship, and getting drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 7th round (#209) in 2001. Sigalet’s play in Victoria earned him a full-ride scholarship to Bowling Green University (CCHA) – where he enjoyed four successful years (2001-05) with the Falcons tending the crease. Sigalet made the final ten in Hobey Baker voting in his Junior season at Bowling Green, and was nominated for an ESPY Award after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and returning to play hockey after doctors said he couldn’t. Jordan spent three years with Providence (2005-08, AHL) and earned 3 NHL call-ups with the Boston Bruins. Sigalet closed out his professional career by splitting a season in Europe between Tyumen (VHL-Russia2) and Vienna (Aust). Sigalet now co-owns Pro-Formance Goalie Schools in Vancouver, and served as the Goaltending Coach for the Everett Silvertips (WHL) in 2010-2011. Sigalet acts as an MS Lifelines Ambassador, which shares his story with other families affected by MS.

Michael Thompson brings to the Heat an extensive background in hockey specific sports training in the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland. Thompson owns and operates T and T Hockey Performance in Langley, B.C., and has served as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for junior franchises in Penticton, Langley and Aldergrove in recent years. Thompson has worked as an evaluator with BC Hockey’s Best Ever program and has recruited and scouted for RWG Sports Management in Vancouver. Thompson has long been active in charitable and fundraising causes; he calls Abbotsford home with wife Kim, and daughters Alicia, and Brooke.

Chris earned a Science Degree in Exercise Science and Athletic Therapy from Concordia and is both a Certified Athletic Therapist with the Canadian Athletic Therapist's Association and a Performance Enhancement Specialist with the National Academy of Sports Medicine. After completing his education Chris worked with the Drayton Valley Thunder (AJHL), and the Edmonton Cracker Cats of the Northern Baseball League. Linder has worked with the Prince George Cougars of the WHL, and arrived in Abbotsford in the Fall of 2011, after three seasons with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL. Recently, he worked with Hockey Canada at 2011 the Under-18 World Championships. Linder is now close to home, where he suited up with the Grandview Steelers (Jr. B, PIJHL) to finish off his playing days as a Vancouverite.

Peter Bureaux, a native of Kitchener, Ontario returns to the Heat for a second season after spending five years as Head Equipment Manager for the Rochester Americans. In thirteen seasons, Peter has worked 976 regular-season professional hockey games, and is on pace to eclipse his 1000th game before the Christmas break. His career began in the Ontario Hockey League working for the Kitchener Rangers and North Bay Centennials, and he spent seven years as Equipment Manager for the Dayton Bombers in the ECHL. Peter is a member of the Society of Professional Hockey Equipment Managers. In his spare time you can find Peter playing golf, fishing or enjoying his classic Corvette. Peter currently resides in Lynden, Washington with his wife, Lindsay, and son, Nathan.

The longest serving member of the Heat’s Hockey Operations staff, Starrak has been with the Heat since the inaugural 2009-10 season. He grew up Langley, BC before spending some of his childhood in North Carolina, and Ithaca, New York – as his father worked at NC State and Cornell. Starrak moved back to the West Coast during his grade school years, and has since earned a Criminology Degree from Simon Fraser University. He now calls Abbotsford home.