GC Coaches
Matt Houk - Varsity Head Coach
Coach Houk is a development-based coach. You will rarely hear him talk about chasing wins or championships. His teams will always prioritize work ethic and development. He will set the precedent early and expect them to maintain that level throughout the season. A saying you will often hear from Coach Houk is "winning is not the goal, it's the byproduct!"
His goal every season is to foster a disciplined, respectful, and positive program. All GCISD teams should aim to have the fewest penalty minutes in the league. Negative body language will not be tolerated. To be on our benches, you must maintain a positive attitude, including coaches.
Coach Houk has a background in Sport Psychology with an emphasis on building team culture.
He is not just the Varsity HC. Coach Houk is here to coach the entire program!
Blake Hutchins - Jr Varsity Head Coach
Coach Hutch is in his 3rd season with Grapevine Colleyville Ice Hockey, but his history with us goes further back. Coach Blake is GC Alumni! He started playing hockey at 8 years old and is a graduate of Colleyville Heritage High School. Hutch is inspired by giving back to the game he has loved his entire life. His advice for players is that anyone can make it to the next level, as long as you are willing to out-work the competition.
Coach Jason Strother – Varsity Assistant Coach
Jason Strother joins GC Ice Hockey as the Assistant Coach for the Varsity team, bringing over 20 years of coaching experience in the DFW area. He has coached at the Tier 2 level for several travel programs, including the Jr Brahmas, Dallas Stars Selects, and Dallas Jr Stars, as well as at both the Junior Varsity and Varsity high school levels. Most recently, Jason served as Head Coach and Association President for the Arlington/Midlothian Varsity program. Off the ice, he applies the same principles of leadership, accountability, and teamwork in his role as a Supply Chain Manager at The Boeing Company, supporting defense contracts. Jason is passionate about player development and creating a strong team culture, and we are proud to have him join the GC coaching staff.
Coach Cliff McPherson – Junior Varsity Assistant Coach
Cliff McPherson joins GC Ice Hockey as the Assistant Coach for the Junior Varsity team. With more than 30 years of playing experience and four years of coaching across youth hockey, travel practices, and tournament teams, Cliff brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the rink. His coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of fundamentals, teamwork, discipline, and a deep respect for the game. Cliff is committed to fostering a positive and competitive environment where players are encouraged to grow both as athletes and as individuals. We are excited to welcome his leadership, enthusiasm, and love for hockey to the GC family.
