Graham Baxter – Team Owner/President
Born and raised in Windsor, Wildcats owner Mr. Baxter is a self-made man. From humble beginnings, he earned Red Seal designations as a plumber and pipefitter, eventually creating the Baxter Group of Companies that includes G.C. Baxter Plumbing and Heating Limited, Baxter Sheet Metal, Fairline Electric, Valley Precision Welding, C-Tech Refrigeration, Annapolis Valley Charters, a vehicle leasing company and apartment rentals.
Mr. Baxter first became involved in hockey through the then-Kentville Minor Hockey Association, coaching and sponsoring his son Rodney’s team, approximately 40 years ago. In 2010 Mr. Baxter became president of the Valley Wildcats major bantam team and a year later the Wildcats major midget entry. He then completed the triumvirate by purchasing a Maritime Hockey League Junior A team for the Valley – the Halifax Shipbuilders – in 2013 and moving the club to Kentville, and eventually Berwick. Mr. Baxter says the reason he bought a junior team for the Valley is simple: “To give an opportunity for local kids to play here. There’s a lot of hockey talent in the Valley and now they don’t have to leave home to play at an elite level.”
A member of the Merit Nova Scotia Board of Directors since the organization’s inception, Mr. Baxter also served two terms on the Apprenticeship Board for the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency.
Mr. Baxter and his wife Anna have been married for 47 years and have residences in Cambridge and show and breed quarter-horses. They have two children, Rodney and Rhonda and four grandchildren, Lukas, Mitchell, Keisha and Laura.
Rhonda Baxter – Chief Financial Officer
A valued member of the Wildcats organization since Day 1, Rhonda is responsible for the team’s finances. The Office Manager/Comptroller for the Baxter Group of Companies and serving as owner Graham Baxter’s “right hand”, Rhonda holds a Bachelor of Arts (English) from Acadia University.
Rhonda was born in Berwick and resides in Cambridge with her son Lukas and daughter Keisha. A softball player, Rhonda also finds time to serve as treasurer of the Nova Scotia Female Midget Hockey League.
Brandon Benedict- General Manager
Brandon is entering his fifth season as the Head Coach and General Manager of the Wildcats organization in 2023-24. He played his entire major junior career with the Halifax Mooseheads followed by a four-year university career with the Acadia Axemen. His pro career saw him make stops in Texas, Denmark, Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Nottingham England. His love for the game was evident at every level Brandon played, and he looks forward to bringing that love for the game, along with his reputation as a digger and a hard-working mentality to his new position. His experience as an assistant coach with the Belfast Giants of the EIHL will certainly be an asset for the Avondale NS native.
Kevin Dickie- Hockey Operations Advisor & Alternate Governor
Kevin brings a lifetime of experience and knowledge to the organization. He coached for 18 years in the SJHL where he’s a member of their Hall of Fame, and in the WHL and U SPORTS. Dickie also was a part of Team Canada’s World Junior Program in 1999 and 2000.
In 2011, Kevin returned to Wolfville after previously coaching the Axemen, becoming Athletic Director at Acadia. In his ten years at the helm, Acadia Athletics hosted an unprecedented four consecutive U SPORTS national championships and won eleven Atlantic University Sport championships.
Kevin’s experience and passion for the sport, will certainly be an asset for the whole Valley Wildcats organization; Junior A, U15, & U18, on and off the ice.
Mike Trinacty – Director of Off-Ice Operations
Mike is in his eighth season with the Wildcats and oversees everything from ticketing, 50-50, concessions, sponsorship and intermission events.
Born in Halifax and raised in Windsor, Mike has called Berwick home since 1981 and is a provincial government retiree. A graduate of the Recreation Management Program at Acadia University, Mike enjoyed a lengthy career in the Valley as a consultant and manager in the field of sport and recreation.
Mike is also a councilor for the Town of Berwick and Chair of the Berwick Sports Hall of Fame Committee. Mike lives with his wife Brenda, who serves as a game-day volunteer. Their two daughters – Melanie and Jill – live in Ottawa.