Hockey Ops

Scott Hillman   
Head Coach / Director of Hockey Operations

Hillman, 38, enters his fourth season with the Mavericks.  The Mavericks are the only team in the CHL to win a playoff series in each of the team’s first three seasons including the Turner Conference Finals last season.  Overall, Hillman has a 107-71-18 regular season record and 13-14 record in the playoffs.  The Mavericks are coming off their best season in which the team was 39-21-6 for 84 points and they finished tied for second place in the Turner Conference just three points out of first place.  Prior to joining the Mavericks, Hillman captured back-to-back regular season and playoff titles as the head coach with the Knoxville Ice Bears of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). During Hillman’s two seasons with the Ice Bears, his team compiled a record of 67-32-13 (.660), and he was named the SPHL Coach of the Year in 2008-09.

Hillman had a stellar nine-season professional playing career, including his final eight seasons with the CHL’s Odessa Jackalopes. The offensive defenseman was a four-time CHL All-Star, and retired as the Jackalopes’ all-time leader in games played (446), and assists (260). He finished his career as the second leading scorer in club history with 326 points, and ranks among the top scoring defenseman in CHL history.

The 2001-02 CHL Man of the Year graduated from the University of Windsor with a bachelor’s degree in human kinetics in 1999. He later received a Master of Science in kinesiology from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in 2002, compiling a 4.0 grade point average.  He also owned and operated Sports Training Facilities in Odessa and Midland, Texas.

Hillman completed his amateur career as the leading scoring defenseman in Windsor Lancer history. He led the Lancers to two consecutive trips to the National Championship tournament where he was named a first team all-star both years. In 1998 he was the nation’s leading scorer among defensemen with 42 points in 26 games and in 1999 he was a first team All-Canadian selection. The LaSalle, Ontario native is married to wife Dalyn and the couple has two sons; Corbin, 10 and Guhnar, 6.

Simon Watson  
Director of Player Personnel

 Watson retired from playing hockey and was named the Mavericks' Assistant Director of Hockey Operations in August of 2011. The Waterloo, Ontario, native spent two seasons behind the Mavericks' bench before moving into his current position of Director of Player Personnel in May of 2013.  He played for the Mavericks during the team's first two seasons and closed out his five-year career in the CHL with 95 goals and 125 assists in 298 games played and one All-Star appearance (2007). Watson was named the CHL's Man of the Year following the 2010-11 season for his contributions to the community off the ice.

Watson's role will be to coordinate player travel and housing, as well as assist in the day-to-day operations of the team.  He is also a coach for the KC Mavs Elite and will continue his work with youth hockey in Kansas City. Watson attended St. Lawrence University where he earned a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology and a Master's Degree  in Educational Leadership.

Simon and his wife, Samantha, reside in Grain Valley with their dog, Millie.

Andrew Dvorak  
Equipment Manager

Andrew Dvorak returns for his fourth season with the Mavericks. His duties as Equipment manager include ordering equipment, maintaining equipment, sharpening skates, and keeping the locker room in order. Before joining the Mavericks, he spent the previous six years in Richmond, Virginia. He worked for the Riverdogs in the UHL for three years and Richmond Renegades of the SPHL for three years. In his off time, he enjoys playing golf and spending time at home with his family and friends. Andrew  is originally from Orlando, Florida. He and his wife Shannon currently reside in Independence with their dogs.

Wes Fillingame, ATC
Athletic Trainer

Originally from Sterlington, Louisiana, Wes received his Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology and Health Promotions at Louisiana Tech University in 2005. During that time, Wes assisted the Glennwood Sports Medicine staff in providing sports coverage for all local city high schools. Next, Wes went on to earn his Master of Science degree in Kinesiology and Athletic Training from the University of Arkansas in 2007. While at Arkansas, Wes worked with the Razorback football team, Lady Razorback softball team, and track and field athletes. He also worked with the Har-Ber Springdale High School football and basketball teams. Following graduate school, Wes was employed by Highlands Medical Center in Scottsboro, Alabama, where he provided athletic training services for a local high school. Wes joined Centerpoint Medical Center in August of 2008, and has the primary responsibility of providing healthcare to the Missouri Mavericks. Wes resides in Blue Springs with his wife, Nicole, son, Hayden and their dog, Millie.