Staff | Cardinals Dev

Coaches and Staff

Head Director

Kurtus Millar

Kurtus has been the heartbeat of SAMBA and the Development Program for many years now. Kurtus will continue to bring leadership and direction for the next generation of young Cardinal ball players. Millar was also Head Coach of the 18U BAEL Cardinals, who took home the BAEL Provincial Championship in 2022 and attended Baseball Canada Nationals. Kurtus also took home the Baseball Alberta Ted Rudd Minor Coach of the Year in 2022.

Hitting Instructor

Jackson Moffat

Jackson has spent time coaching for the program since it was created in 2019. He has then spent time attending Parkland College in Illinois. Jackson was a part of the 2022 BAEL Champion 18U Cardinals coaching staff and that went on to Baseball Canada Nationals. He also played for Team Alberta at Canada Cup in 2019. Jackson brings an advanced and modern approach to hitting.

Pitching Instructor

Liam Froment

Froment played 2 years at NCAA D1 University of North Alabama. He is a former LHP who played minor ball for SAMBA and picked up 4 Provincial Championships. He was on Team Alberta; Canada Cup, Canada Summer Games, and Blue Jays Academy Showcase in Toronto. Froment has been the pitching coach for the past 2 seasons with the 18U BAEL Cardinals, who took home the 2022 BAEL Provincial Championship and went on to compete at Baseball Canada Nationals.

Hitting/Fielding Instructor

Ben Grabia

Grabia has been a Head Coach for multiple years now at the 18U AAA and AA levels. Ben played his entire minor baseball career in SAMBA and then followed his true passion into coaching. Ben brings a positive mind everyday and is wise beyond his years. He is also a high-level volleyball Head Coach at Paul Kane High School in St. Albert. He will help all fielders and hitters reach their full potential.

Catching Instructor

Evan Bourassa

Evan is known for his intelligence behind the plate and his smooth defensive work. He is a huge asset for our catchers and infielders. He played his entire minor baseball career with SAMBA where he won 4 Provincial Championships. He later joined Edmonton Collegiate for his college years. Bourassa has served as an Assistant Coach for the 18U AAA Red Cardinals, winning the BAEL Provincial Championships in 2022 and attending Baseball Canada Nationals.

Hitting/Fielding Instructor

Michael Brisson

Brisson recently completed his 4th year at NCAA D1 Niagara University in Lewiston, NY. He is a SAMBA alumni winning 7 Provincial Gold Medals as a minor ball player. Michael also found himself on the 2018 Team Alberta Canada Cup roster and the 2018 Blue Jays Academy Showcase roster. He brings an intensity that is unmatched with a high level baseball IQ. Brisson will help advance all Cardinal hitters, infielders and outfielders.

Hitting/Fielding Instructor

Doug Fystro

Doug played college ball at Southern Utah University and has more than 30 years coaching experience including with the St. Albert Tigers as well as Team Alberta, Canada Cup, and was named Aurora Baseball Association Coach of the Year in 1995. He has also been on the coaching staff at both the 13U and 15U AAA levels with SAMBA.

Hitting/Fielding Instructor

Kevin Millar

Kevin holds over 35+ years of coaching experience and has been involved with all ages of baseball. Kevin is currently the Head Groundskeeper at SAMBA and most recently completed this summer as 11U AA Red Head Coach.

Hitting/Pitching Instructor

Carter Liske

Carter joins the program staff after recently attending Southwest Oregon Community College. He is a SAMBA alumni that brings an elite level ability and lots of knowledge on the hitting and pitching side of the game. Carter helped lead the 2022 BAEL Cardinals to a Provincial Championship and later went on to play at Nationals.

Program Director

Danielle Moffat

Danielle is the driving force of the Development Program from behind the scenes. Her countless hours of dedication and hard work have been crucial to both SAMBA and the Dev. Program. Danielle handles the communications, organization, marketing and day to day responsibilities while assisting in anyway possible to give our athletes the best possible experience and environment to develop as both athletes and responsible young individuals.