My hockey philosophy
In the game of hockey we often talk about supporting the puck.
I believe we also need to support the players, mainly by giving them the ways and means to improve their ability to think the game.
At the higher levels of hockey most players have the same skills, work ethic, physical attributes, motivation and desire to make the team.
What sets a player apart is his or her ability to master the mental side of the game.
Players who want to play Junior A/B, Major Junior or College hockey and beyond need to have passion. Not just passion but extraordinary passion. The best players I have coached (Major Junior) all have this in common. When they talk about the game it's with a twinkle in their eye and a smile on their face. They often engage me in conversation about systems and teach me a thing or two they have learned from elite coaches. Bottom line is they understand the technical side of the game and are hungry to learn more or learn from a different perspective.
They know that playing at a high level means learning something new every day. And because they have an uncommon passion for the game, they simply outwork their competition in their preparation, both physically and mentally.
Background
Club Hockey
For the 2023-24 season I am working for the Union Thunder with their U18AA and U14AA teams as a Defensemen coach and lead video teaching coach.
For the 2014-15 season I was an assistant coach/Defensemen coach with the NJ Rockets U14AAA team.
For the 2013-14 season I was an assistant coach for the NJ Rockets U18AAA team. I was the lead coach for video development and a video teaching/scouting system.
I was able to test a lot of new things and fined tuning several methods I developed over the past few years. I am looking forward to the 2014-15 season more than any other.
For the 2011-12 season I was a Defensemen Coach with the Ramapo Saints Club "White" Bantam (U14) team in the NJYHL at tournaments, post season, etc. We went to the Atlantic District Finals after finishing #1 overall in our bracket. We finished #2 in the entire Bantam "A" league in goals against average.
For the 2010-11 season I was a Midget (U16) Head Coach for the NJYHL Skylands Kings in 2010-2011, taking that team to the NJYHL playoffs.
For the 2009-10 season I was the Defensemen Coach for a NJYHL Skylands Kings Bantam (U14) team which won a Regional Silver Stick Championship and went to the Silver Stick finals in Canada.
High School Hockey
For 2011-12, 2012-13 I was the Defensemen Coach of the Pingry School Varsity team. In 2012 we made it to the Finals of the Prep B Tournament and also won the Skylands Cup in the Skylands Divisional Championship series against Top 20 teams Montgomery and Ridge.
For the 2010-11 season I was the Head Coach of the Montclair Kimberley Academy Varsity team. We won both the Montclair Cup (first time since 2008) and the McInnis Cup Championship; the first Divisional Playoff Championship for the school since the 2003-2004 season.
Tournament Hockey
I have plans to work in the summer of 2011 for a Skylands Selects spring/summer team. We will travel to select tournaments in Massachusetts and New Hampshire proudly representing Skylands Ice World. I am very proud of the Skylands Selects and our performance at the Junior Chowder Cup in 2010.
I have been playing hockey since I was 4 years old - more than 40 years. I played club hockey against DI and DII club-level players in Boston and I played NCAA DIII lacrosse in Massachusetts in the Pilgrim League. I have been doing skill coaching on and off for a total of roughly 15 years, starting in 1999 in New Jersey.
Skills coaching and helping players improve is my passion and is what Metro Ice is all about and it allows me to enter into any team coaching with player development as the backbone of what I do.
Certifications and Insurance
I am certified Advanced Level IV for USA Hockey and the highest level for US Lacrosse. I am also an Accredited Interscholastic Coach by the National Federation of State High School Associations. I have personal liability insurance from Chubb, and ISI skating institute as a ice hockey instructor/coach. (ISI #1023266). I am a certified Athletic Personnel/Substitute teacher in the state of NJ
