Premier Staff

Doug Mathieson | General Manager

Doug Mathieson founded the Langley Blaze program back in the 2001. It was his goal to create an environment of opportunity for young players to realize their dreams through the game of baseball. Now a scout with the Milwaukee Brewers for Canada.

Doug was the head coach of the team that saw both Ryan Lennerton and his son, Scott Mathieson, drafted during the program's first two years. His son Scott is currently in his 20th year of pro ball, called up to the Phillies MLB when he was 21, represented Canada at 4 World Baseball Classics, Jr and Sr Canadian National teams, Olympics, top prospect in the Arizona Fall League.

Doug oversees all aspects since the team's inception, Doug has been the force behind all college recruiting, tournament organization, scheduling, Arizona Spring Training Trips, MLB Showcases, 41 Blaze draft picks, private MLB workouts and day to day activities. Doug is also a two-time winner of the Jim Ridley award for Canadian Scout of the year.

Doug has sent a plethora of Blaze players to colleges across the United States and Canada, varying from the Junior College level all the way to NCAA Division 1 powerhouses. In total, Doug has overseen the development of all the Blaze's 41+ Major League draft picks.

Doug is currently the General Manager of the Langley Blaze organization and focus’s his attention on the management of the Premier team as well as development of the pitching staff throughout the entire organization.

Jamie Bodaly | Head Coach

Jamie has been heavily involved in the Langley Blaze organization since 2003, after his baseball career was cut short due to injury. Jamie was an offensive stand out in the PBL who had to turn down scholarship opportunities in the U.S. due to medical reasons. Jamie put up impressive numbers with the Kwantlen University program while fighting off his complications. After his second year in college was when Jamie switched his deep passion for the game into coaching. Building his resume with relentless local scouting, tournament coaching and continued learning, Jamie became the head coach of the Premier team in 2008. During which he has seen over 15 players selected in the Major League Draft, including two first round hitters in Lawrie & Deglan, as well as the 2015 Seattle Mariners Prospect of the Year, Tyler O'Neill. Jamie's relentless commitment to build local talent, move players onto college programs and give the opportunity to fill their dreams in the MLB continue to fuel his day-to-day work ethic.

Coaching Highlights:

· North Langley Little League - Junior World Series

· Langley Blaze Assistant Coach (2003-08)

· Langley Blaze Head Coach (2008-Present)

· Kwantlen College

· Team BC & PNC (2003-Present)

· Kansas City Area Codes Team (2010)

· Arizona Diamondbacks Scout Team (2012-Present)

· Langley Secondary Baseball Academy (2014-Present)

· Yale Secondary Baseball Academy (2013-2018)

Professional:

· Kansas City Royals Scout (2008-12)

· Cincinnati Reds Scout (2012-Present) - Drafted Morgan Lofstrom '13, Will McCaffer '15, Bruce Yari '16, Alex Webb '16

Zach Mihic | Assistant Coach

Zach joined the Blaze organization in spring of 2016, assisting in the revitalization of our Prep program. Mihic graduated from the Langley Blaze in 2011. Zach following in his older brother Jon's footsteps, joined the program following his playing career. Zach works day to day with the catchers and infielders.

Playing Highlights:

· 3-year BCPBL career with the Langley Blaze

· Minnesota Twins AZ Scout Team

· Mayville State University, ND

· Graduated with bachelor’s degree from Mayville

Coaching Highlights:

· Langley Premier Blaze Assistant Coach, 2019-Present

· Langley Junior Blaze Head Coach, 2016-2018

· Langley Blaze Prep Head Coach, 2015

Steve Petersen | Assistant General Manager, Assistant Coach

Steve has been with the Blaze organization formally since August 2016. Prior to that, he was the Assistant GM of the Langley Sr Blaze, the summer collegiate/men's program from 2010-2016. During that time, he managed the website, PR, recruiting and general day to day duties of the club.

Career Highlights:

· 2010 - Western Canadian Baseball Champion (18+)

· 2012 - BC Senior Baseball Provincial Champion (18+)

· 2012 - Baseball Canada National Champion (18+)

· 2013 - BC Senior Baseball Provincial Champions (18+)

· 2013 - Baseball Canada Silver Medalist (18+)

· 2014 - Baseball Canada National Champion (18+)

· 2015 - BC Senior Baseball Provincial Champion (18+)

· 2017 - Present - Assistant Coach, Assistant GM of the Langley Blaze

· 2023 - Present - BCPBL and Baseball BC Social Media Manager

Steve is excited and grateful to be a part of the top baseball program in Canada and looks forward to working with General Manager Doug Mathieson and Head Coach Jamie Bodaly on growing this prestigious organization even more in the years to come.

Norys "Junior" Deleon | Assistant Coach

The Blaze welcomed Junior to the Blaze program in 2018. After Junior graduated from Penticton High School, he moved right into coaching. He helped create the South Okanagan Minor Baseball Association (S.O.M.B.A.) and from day 1 was instrumental in having 20+ kids move onto playing collegiate baseball.

After moving to the Lower Mainland, Junior helped put together and was a part of the inaugural season of Fraser Valley Collegiate in Chilliwack as an assistant coach. After year 1, Fraser Valley Collegiate was accepted as part of the University of the Fraser Valley and now competes in the CCBC.

Coaching Highlights:

· Penticton Thunder Assistant Coach, 2004

· S.O.M.B.A Head Coach/ Program Coordinator, 2005-2014

· BC Minor Baseball Midget Select Team Assistant Coach, 2014

· Chilliwack Cougars College Prep Assistant Coach (Provincial Champions 16' & 17'), 2015-2017

· Chilliwack Cougars Bantam AAA Head Coach, 2016-2017

· FVC / University of the Fraser Valley Assistant Coach, 2016-2017

· Yard Baseball Academy Instructor, 2016-2017

· Langley Blaze Premier Assistant Coach, 2018-Present

Junior has also travelled extensively with the Langley Blaze to several showcases since 2010 including the annual Arizona Pro Tours and Arizona Fall Classics.

Kyle Lotzkar | Pitching Coach

Kyle is entering his 7th season as the pitching coach for the UFV Cascades 3rd with the Sr Blaze. Kyle played for the Langley Blaze from 2005-2007 and was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds with the 53rd overall selection in 2007. Kyle completed his Kinesiology degree at UFV and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). The Blaze are lucky to have Kyle return to the Blaze program where it all started.

Playing Career: After being drafted in 2007, Kyle played six seasons in the minor leagues with the Cincinnati Reds. He was added to the Reds' 40-man roster in 2011 and played in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game. In October 2014, Lotzkar signed as a free agent with the Texas Rangers organization where he spent two seasons. In 2016 he finished his career with the Winnipeg Goldeyes. Lotzkar also played for the Canadian national baseball team. In 2011, he participated in the 2011 Baseball World Cup, winning the bronze medal, and the Pan American Games, winning the gold medal. In 2016 he won a second gold medal with Canada in the Pan Am Games in Toronto. He was also on Canada's provisional roster for the 2009 and 2013 World Baseball Classic but did not play due to injuries.

Stosh Wawazasek | Pitching Coach

Stosh has spent several years with the Langley Blaze program from off-season work while he was in the Milwaukee Brewers system to now entering his 3rd season as a full-time coach with the premier team. Stosh focuses on the game-day preparation and development of our pitching staff with his wealth of knowledge developed throughout his minor league career.

Playing Career:

· 3-year BCPBL career with the Langley Blaze

· Canadian Junior National Team Member

· Area Code Games

· Canada Cup MVP 2007

· 2008 MLB Draft Pick of the Milwaukee Brewers

· Florida International University Commit

Coaching Career:

· Langley Blaze Premier Pitching Coach 2022 - Present

Sean Sasaki | Assistant Coach

Sean comes to the Blaze coaching staff after graduating from the Blaze program in 2018 and following a 2-year career at Douglas College. He also earned a well deserved Bachelor's Degree in Criminology from Simon Fraser University. Sean has a wealth of experience on and off the field and is dedicated to seeing the Blaze players perform at the highest levels.

Playing Career:

· 3-year BCPBL career with the Langley Blaze

· Arizona Diamondbacks Scout Team Member

Coaching Career:

· Langley Blaze Premier Assistant Coach 2021 - Present

Dennis Springenatic | Assistant Coach

Dennis grew up, literally in the Whalley Little League Ballpark. His dad “Orest”, with the help of sponsorships and his own money helped establish one of the top little leagues in Canada. Dennis started his journey paying baseball in Whalley where he had the privilege to play in two World Series, one of them with his Dad. Dennis went on to play college baseball with Lewis-Clark State College from 1984-1988 winning two World Series titles, where he also took time out to play in the Pan am games in 1987 with Team Canada. After his playing days, Dennis returned home and established himself as one of B.C.’s top coaches, winning B.C. Coach of the Year three times and Canadian Coach of the Year in 2000. He has over 25 years of coaching experience, many of them coaching the Fraser Valley Chiefs/Whalley Chiefs and was also part of Team Canada’s coaching staff at the 2006 World Junior championships. Coaching with the Chiefs, Dennis is proud to have seen three of his former players become first round draft picks, 1-second round pick and numerous other round picks. He was also a scout for the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners. His passion for coaching will always keep him coming back to the baseball field and his love for baseball will keep in going back to the ballpark.

The Blaze are excited to have Dennis join our program and his wealth of knowledge will be a valuable asset to the organization.