MEET THE TEAM

KELSEY TESSIER

With an illustrious professional career spanning 13 seasons, including a pivotal tenure with the Moncton Wildcats in 2010, Tessier brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as director of Prime Athletic Performance. Drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the fourth round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Tessier’s journey in hockey has included a three-season stint in the AHL with the Connecticut Whale where he had 82 points across 221 games. His subsequent transition to European leagues saw him contributing his talents to various teams in Sweden, Germany, Finland, Austria, and France where he captured 4 Championships before culminating his professional career in 2023. Kelsey recently joined the Moncton Wildcats in the role of skills and player development coach. He also serves as Director of Development for the Atlantic Hockey Group.

DAVID FONTAINE

Dave Fontaine is a distinguished PICP Level 4 International Strength Coach specializing in the development of Olympic and professional athletes. He is the Founder and Owner of Premium Performance, a premier fitness center located in Ottawa that has been in operation for almost a decade. With an illustrious career spanning over 15 years, Dave has coached an extensive clientele of over 1000 individuals, including athletes from prestigious leagues such as the NHL, AHL, Czech Extraliga, NCAA, MMA, CFL, as well as elite participants in Olympic sports including professional cycling, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, rugby, track and field, and more. His exceptional track record stands as a testament to his unparalleled ability to deliver results that surpass industry standards. Dave's approach to coaching is distinguished by his unwavering commitment to employing science-based methods. His wealth of experience and profound knowledge as a strength coach positions Dave as an invaluable asset to our team. Dave's expertise shines in overseeing the off-ice strength training component of our athletic programs. His partnership with our team promises to elevate the quality and efficacy of our training initiatives, reinforcing our commitment to excellence. As we welcome Dave Fontaine, we anticipate the continued success and advancement of our off-ice programs under his expert guidance.

NICK SMITH

Nick Smith brings over 20 years of coaching and player development experience to the PRIME program. A lifelong student of the game, Nick has served in several key leadership roles across the Moncton hockey community — including as Head Coach of the Moncton U15 AAA Major Hawks and Technical Director of Riverview Minor Hockey. He has also contributed to the Harrison Trimble High School hockey program, helping young players develop both their skills and their love for the game.

Currently, Nick serves as Assistant Coach with the U18 AAA Moncton Flyers and as Director of Hockey Operations with the Atlantic Hockey Group. In this role, he oversees and runs numerous on-ice programs, including the Bauer Hockey Academy and the Charlie Bourgeois Hockey School. Known for his organized, detail-oriented approach and passion for athlete development, Nick continues to have a major impact on the next generation of hockey players across Atlantic Canada.