Hockey Operations

Derek Partlo – Head Coach

The Norwich Merchants are thrilled to announce the return of Head Coach Derek Partlo for the 2025-26 season. Following a highly successful 2024-25 campaign — highlighted by capturing the Doherty Division Regular Season Title and earning the 2025 Doherty Division Coaching Staff of the Year honours — Partlo is eager to build on the team’s momentum and continue guiding the Merchants into a new era of success.

Derek brings a wealth of experience to the organization, both as a player and a coach. His playing career began with the Tillsonburg Titans in Junior “B” hockey, followed by stints with the Norwich Merchants (1989–1991) and the Woodstock Navy Vets (1992–1993). He then went on to a standout collegiate career with the Ohio University Bobcats from 1993 to 1997, where he helped the program win three consecutive ACHA National Championships, cementing his role in one of the most successful eras in Bobcats history.

Partlo’s coaching résumé is equally impressive. Most recently, he led the Tillsonburg Thunder Senior “A” Men’s hockey team to the 2024 WOSHL Championship. His coaching career also includes significant experience at multiple levels, including with the Norwich Merchants, Woodstock Navy Vets, Tillsonburg Minor Hockey, and Glendale Varsity Hockey teams.

Beyond the rink, Derek is a dedicated educator at Glendale High School, where he has led the Gryphon hockey program to three WOSSAA Championships and a Silver Medal at OFSAA.

Derek’s extensive experience, leadership, and passion for the game make him an invaluable asset as the Head Coach of the Norwich Merchants.

Outside of hockey, Derek resides in Tillsonburg, Ontario, with his wife, Jody, and their three children: Landon, Logan, and McKenna.

Career Highlights

• Ohio University Bobcats Sports Hall of Fame – 2014

• All time Career Leader in Penalty Minutes Ohio University 424 PIM Career / 183 PIM Single Season

• Tillsonburg Sports Hall of Fame – 2015

• ACHA National Champions – 1995 / 1996 / 1997 Tournament MVP / All American All Star (1996 – Tournament Scoring Champ)

Bill Ebel – Assistant Coach

Merchants are excited to announce the return of Assistant Coach Bill Ebel for the 2025-26 season. Bill brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to the bench and will once again play a key role in the team’s development and success, overseeing the Merchants’ forwards this season.

As a player, Bill enjoyed a standout junior career with the Woodstock Navy Vets from 1991 to 1996, serving as Assistant Captain for four years. Over his 201-game career, he amassed an impressive 278 points — averaging over a point per game — while also setting the franchise record for most career penalty minutes with 1,138 PIM, a testament to his competitive and hard-nosed style of play.

On the coaching side, Bill has compiled over 25 years of experience, contributing significantly to the Woodstock Jr. Navy Vets and Woodstock Wildcats programs. Most recently, he spent three seasons as Head Scout and Guest Coach for the Lone Star Brahmas of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) in Dallas, Texas, where he helped develop top-level junior talent.

Bill currently resides in Sweaburg, Ontario, with his wife Kim and their two daughters, Payton and Sydney. His extensive experience, leadership, and ability to motivate players make him an invaluable part of the Norwich Merchants’ coaching staff as he enters his second season behind the bench.

Tim Christo – Assistant Coach

Tim carries in Norwich with a rich background in hockey and the Norwich community, spanning both his playing and coaching career. His journey includes significant milestones such as coaching the U18 teams in Tillsonburg and the South Oxford Storm, as well as his involvement with the Norwich Merchants and local minor hockey programs.

As a player, Tim spent five years in Junior hockey, playing in various towns including Tillsonburg, Norwich, Delhi, and Langton. This experience as a player has undoubtedly shaped his approach to coaching and understanding of the game.

Tim’s coaching career is marked by nearly three decades of dedication at the Junior level, where he has served as both Head Coach and Assistant Coach for the Norwich Merchants. His role this upcoming season will focus on overseeing the team’s defensive strategies and penalty killing units, leveraging his wealth of experience to enhance the team’s performance.

Tim’s value to the Merchants bench is seen as a significant asset, bringing not only strategic expertise but also leadership and a deep understanding of the game that will undoubtedly contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming season.

Beyond his professional life in hockey, Tim resides in Norwich, Ontario, where he is a father to three daughters named Ashley, Brianna, and Aleisha. His commitment to the sport and his community is evident in his long-standing involvement and leadership roles within local hockey programs.

Zach Core – Assistant Coach

The Merchants are very excited return Assistant Coach Zach Core to their staff.  Zach has enjoyed a strong playing career that started as 16 year old with the Norwich Merchants in the 2012-13 season. From 2013-16 Zach played a  total of 181 OHL games with the Sarnia Sting tallying 28 points.  In the 2016-17 season Zach played a total 47 games with the JR “B” Caledonia Corvairs, where he put up strong offensive numbers for a Defenseman with 17 goals and 45 assists. Finishing off his hockey playing career Zach landed at Western University where he played 65 games over the 4 years with the Mustangs. 

Currently, Zach resides in Princeton, Ontario (fiancee – Emma finishing Medical School in Ireland) and continues to work with young players developing their defense skills.  

Tyler Gubesch – Goalie Coach

The Merchants add a familiar face to their staff for the 2025-2026 season with the addition of  Goalie Coach Tyler Gubesch to their staff.  Gubesch has enjoyed a strong playing career that started with 2 split seasons with the Thamesford Trojans (PJHL) & St. Mary’s Lincolns (GOJHL) before moving on to finish his PJHL career with 3 strong seasons with our Norwich Merchants (2016-2019).  Prior to coming to the Merchants Tyler was the Goalie Coach for the Aylmer Spitfires and still continues to work as the Goalie Coach for Warlords / Sabres NAPrepHL Program.

Currently, Tyler resides in Tillsonburg, Ontario.

Darren House – General Manager

Norwich Merchants are excited to announce the return of Darren House for his fourth season with the organization and his second season as General Manager for the upcoming 2025-26 campaign. Darren’s leadership has been instrumental in pushing the Merchants forward, and his return comes at an exciting time as the team embarks on a bold rebrand and continues ushering in a new era of hockey in Norwich, supported by Head Coach Derek Partlo and Assistant General Manager Kyle Baker.

House is no stranger to the Merchants program, having first joined the organization in 2022 with a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success in hockey management and coaching. Prior to his role with the Merchants, Darren served as the team’s Head Scout under former GM Steve Aichmayr. His impressive résumé includes leading the Ingersoll Express Minor Hockey Program as Director of the REP Hockey Program from 2012 to 2019, a tenure highlighted by six OMHA Championships and two OMHA Finalist finishes. As Head Coach, he also guided the U15 team to back-to-back OMHA Championships in 2018 and 2019.

Following a Doherty Division Regular Season Title — the Merchants’ first since 2011 — the organization is confident that House’s expertise, vision, and leadership will continue to drive success both on and off the ice.

Darren currently resides in Ingersoll, Ontario with his wife, Erin, and their children, Tye, Sam, and Ellis.

Kyle Baker – Assistant General Manager 

The Norwich Merchants are proud to announce the appointment of Kyle Baker as the team’s new Assistant General Manager and Head Scout for the upcoming 2025-26 season. This is a significant addition for the organization, as Baker brings a high-level skill set and championship pedigree to a team already building on the momentum of a Doherty Division Regular Season Title.

Baker is no stranger to the GOJHL and PJHL landscapes. From 2018 to 2020, Kyle was a key contributor for the Cambridge Red Hawks, recording 24 goals and 47 assists over two seasons. In 2021-22, he returned home to play for the Woodstock Navy Vets, leading the team in scoring with 25 goals and 47 assists in a standout season.

The following year, during the 2022-23 campaign, Baker was traded to the Wellesley Applejacks, where he became a veteran leader and impact scorer. His leadership and offensive production of 19 goals and 45 assists were crucial in helping the Applejacks capture the Schmalz Cup Championship.

Off the ice, Kyle continues to give back to the game, coaching the Woodstock Navy Vets U16 “A” team in his spare time for a second season. He currently resides in Ingersoll, Ontario, with his partner, Payton.

The Norwich Merchants are excited to welcome Kyle to the organization and look forward to the impact he will make in his new role.

Tyler Brooks – Scout

Troy Lamoure – Scout

Randy Hildebrant – Scout