Meet the Coaches
Coaches Sam Fuss, Eric Westlund, Dylan Talkovic, Aaron Johnson, and Drake Hunter. Not pictured: Tory Dalbec
Dylan Talkovic
varsity Head Coach
I grew up playing hockey in Milwaukee, including four years of varsity hockey at Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha, Wisconsin. After high school, I attended the University of Minnesota and continued to play in intramural leagues.
Back in 2018, I joined Hopkins Hockey as part of the Bantam A coaching staff. After two years, I became the Hopkins High School Head JV Coach while also serving as a Varsity Assistant. When I heard of the opportunity to become the new Head Varsity Coach, I jumped at the chance. I could not be more excited to lead this group of young men.
During the day, I can be found supervising a team of consultants for MEDITECH, a company I have been with since 2013. When I am not working my day job or at the rink, I can most likely be found on the golf course or at a park with Sarah and our dog, Cash.
Eric Westlund
Head JV Coach & Varsity Assistant
I grew up playing hockey in Hutchinson, MN. After graduation, I attended the University of St. Thomas, began coaching hockey at North St. Paul, and quickly discovered a new passion. A job brought me back to Hutchinson, where I spent seven years coaching and served as Coach-In-Chief for the association for an additional two years.
After a few years in Virginia, coaching 14u AA with the Roanoke Valley Youth Hockey Association, I got the opportunity to move back to Minnesota and I feel blessed to be a part of the Hopkins High School Hockey coaching staff. It has been a dream to coach at the high school level in Minnesota since hanging up the skates. On weekdays, you can find me working at Hopkins High School as a Special Education teacher. Away from work, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my wife, Abbie, and our two dogs, Remi and Winnie.
Tory Dalbec
Goalie Coach
Hockey has always been a big part of my life, growing up in Edina. After high school I played college football for North Dakota State University and was a part of two D1 FCS National Championship teams (2013 and 2014) before my career was cut short due to injury.
I am entering my fifth season of coaching and have had the opportunity to work with some talented goaltenders through Devenir Goaltenders. I have also coached youth hockey for the past four seasons in Eden Prairie and Minnetonka. I am looking forward to working with the players this season and love being a part of the Hopkins hockey family.
Sam Fuss
Varsity Assistant Coach
Growing up I played hockey in Edina and I was fortunate enough to win a state championship in 2014 with Edina High School. After high school, I went on to play junior hockey for the Minot Minotauros of the NAHL and the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the USHL. From there, I went on to play hockey for Niagara University and The College of Saint Scholastica, where I graduated in 2022.
I've coached at the youth level and I'm thrilled for the opportunity to join the Hopkins program as a Varsity Assistant Coach.
Aside from hockey, I recently started a new job as a business development representative. Between my day job and coaching, I am looking forward to a very busy winter season!
Drake Hunter
Varsity Assistant & JV Assistant Coach
I played youth and high school hockey in Delano, Minnesota. I continued to pursue hockey and played two years of juniors, four years of NCAA III, and two seasons in the Southern Professional Hockey League. I'm very excited to join Hopkins coaching staff and share my passion for the game.
During the day, I work as a Risk Assurance and Advisory Consultant. For fun, I play bandy at the Roseville Oval in the winter and pickleball and trail biking in the summer.
Aaron Johnson
Varsity Assistant and JV Assistant Coach
I'm from Lino Lakes, MN where I played youth hockey growing up with Centennial. I started late in my hockey career, after playing basketball until 7th grade. I took a chance on lacing up the skates and fell in love with hockey.
I attended University of Minnesota - Duluth where I majored in Communication and double-minored in Coaching and Journalism. In Duluth, I played intramural hockey and took advantage of all the well kept outdoor rinks! This is also where I got my coaching background, as an assistant coach with the Proctor Boys High School team. I loved working with the team and helping the kids develop their skills. I'm extremely excited to get back into coaching with Hopkins!
Day-to-day, I work for Target's digital department. Outside of work, I play in the in the Minnesota Wild Adult Hockey League and I am in the midst of wedding planning with my fiance, Kenzie.