BioSteel Sports Academy is proud to announce the appointment of Richard Santos as the new U16 Boys Prep Head Coach, following Kyle Makaric’s recent hiring as an Assistant Coach with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League. Kyle previously served as Head Coach of the 2010-born Boys Prep Team at the Academy. We congratulate Kyle on his well-earned promotion and thank him for the leadership and dedication he brought to our academy. Read more about Kyle’s move here.
Richard Santos brings nearly 15 years of head coaching experience and a deep passion for player development. He is well known for guiding players to the next level, including most recently Jacob Cloutier, who was selected in the 7th round of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Winnipeg Jets.
Over the past three seasons, Richard served as Head Coach and General Manager of the Chatham Maroons, leading the team to a Sutherland Cup Championship – just the second in franchise history – while maintaining a winning percentage over .600. Under his leadership, numerous players have moved on to the OHL, OJHL, AJHL, NAHL, SJHL, and MJHL. Prior to his time in junior hockey, he spent six seasons coaching at the AAA level.
In addition to his role at BioSteel, Richard will also serve in a position with the Leamington Flyers, further extending his influence within the high-performance hockey community and creating additional pathways for players advancing through the BioSteel Sports Academy system.
“Richard’s championship experience, development-first mindset, and proven ability to advance talented young players make him a tremendous asset to our academy,” said Eric Palazzolo, Director of BioSteel Sports Academy. “At the same time, Kyle’s move to the OHL is a proud moment for us. It’s a great testament to the environment and network we’re building – one that develops not only elite players but also great coaches who are ready for the next level.”
For more information, visit www.biosteelsportsacademy.com or contact
Eric Palazzolo
Director of Operations
