DYHA/ Ice Cats Coach Bios and Contact INFO

 Peter Alfano is a product of West Haven, CT where he played youth travel hockey in the local program. He played three years of varsity hockey for Notre Dame-West Haven and then played at Canisius College. He has worked as a goaltending instructor for All-East Goaltending School, West Haven Youth Hockey, Connecticut Riverhawks, and DYHA. Peter has been a USA Hockey Official for 27 years including 10 years at the High School and collegiate (ECAC) level. Pete is DYHA Director of Goaltending.

Corey Badeau Is a Rhode Island native who was a four-year varsity hockey player at Woonsocket High School and named All-State Defenseman in his junior and senior years. He was a recipient of the Hobey Baker Award in 2010 as the team’s captain. After High School Corey went on to play 4 years of club hockey at Sacred Heart University where he won two NECHA Conference Championships in 2013 and 2014. Corey started his coaching career at the Fairfield Ice Academy giving private lessons, running multiple clinics that specialized in fundamentals, power skating, and stickhandling. Following FIA, Corey became the Adult Hockey Coordinator at Chelsea Piers Connecticut where he managed adult hockey programs, and led the Mite Development and Learn to Play programs. In addition to having successfully coached DYHA Squirts, Peewees, and Bantams, Corey also serves as the Darien High School JV Head Coach. In his role as the Assistant Hockey Director at Stamford Twin Rinks Corey manages and coaches Impact Hockey Skills LLC clinics, camps and Connecticut’s premier spring hockey program, the CT Breakers. Established in collaboration with DYHA, Twin Rinks programming and theCT Breakers provide local players the opportunity to train with top-end coaches in a travel hockey environment while still allowing them to play spring sports. More information on the CT Breakers program can be found here: Twin Rinks Stamford – Where champions are born. Corey can be reached at 203-968-9000 x 17, or found at the Hockey office at Stamford Twin Rinks!

Lukas Baksay

Michael Bruno

Michael Carlucci grew up playing “A” level travel hockey for 8 years where he won 6 CHC state titles and 2 New England Regional Championships. He played on Team Connecticut, 4 years of Trinity Catholic Varsity Hockey, earning 2 State Championships and 1 State title, followed by 2 years of University of Connecticut Club hockey. Mike’s extensive coaching career includes the Greenwich Blues, Trinity Catholic High School, the New England Generals, and the New Canaan Winter Club. Mike has also been Hockey Director for the Rinks at Shelton and SoNo Ice House and Travel Hockey Coordinator for the Fairfield Ice Academy. Mike’s most important contribution to youth hockey the area been through the creation of the longest running, successful spring hockey program, CT United Spring Hockey (originally known as CT Flames). Founded in 2011, this 10-week, professionally coached program focuses on skill development that isn’t possible during a regular-season schedule with regular games. https://ctunitedhockey.com/ Mike's dedication to our young hockey players is both generous and inspiring to watch. contact info   privatehockey@gmail.com, 203-912-0873

Mike Cioffi brings over 27 years of coaching experience to the DYHA Bantam AA team. A USA Hockey Level 4 certified coach, Mike’s Bantam teams have won multiple state championships, including the 2018-2019 and 2022-2023 CHC Tier 2 title, as well as several New England Regional tournaments and competed in the Tier II National Championships in 2006, 2009, 2018, and 2023. As a former Assistant Coach for the Darien High School team Mike has helped DHS win multiple FCIAC titles and two CIAC Division I Championships in 2015 and 2016. 

Dominic Civitano

James Duval

Devin Edgerton is a highly motivated entrepreneur and retired professional hockey player from Saskatchewan, Canada. Throughout his 17-year pro career, he established dozens of high level relationships with international dealers from Easton, CCM, Bauer and Warrior. Devin played junior hockey with the Humbold Broncos and turned professional in 1991. Devin spent the next five season playing in the East Coast Hockey League and the International Hockey League. He played for the Winston-Salem Thunderbirds, Wheeling Thunderbirds and Peoria Rivermen among others. In 1996 Devin left North America to spend the remainder of his career in the European leagues. He moved to the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga in 2006 with EC VSV where he played two season before retiring in 2008. As a Centerman Devin accrued over 900 points in his 17 year career. 

Devin also coaches teams, clinics, camps, and lessons at Twin Rinks, home of Connecticut’s premier spring hockey program, the CT Breakers. Established in collaboration with DYHA, Twin Rinks programming, and the CT Breakers provide players the opportunity to train with top-end coaches in a travel hockey environment while still allowing them to play spring sports. More information on the CT Breakers program can be found here: Twin Rinks Stamford – Where champions are born.

John Fahey Jr. joined DYHA from the Norwalk Roughriders where he was most recently coaching in the PeeWee ranks. He has been a youth travel coach for the past seven years, including stints at Greenwich and CPCT, with teams ranging from Mites to Bantams. John grew up in the Stamford Sharks program and played 3 years for Stamford High School where he was Captain his senior year. John’s specialty is developing young players skills and passion for the game of hockey. John is a USA Hockey Level 5 certified coach. 

Chris Furtak grew up in Fairfield County, played youth hockey for New Milford Youth Hockey, attended New Fairfield - Immaculate and went on to play Varsity hockey for Manhattanville College before transferring to the University of Connecticut. Following graduation, he attained his master’s in history-Education from UConn, and made hockey his career, working for Blueline Sports. He spent four years as an Assistant Coach for New Canaan High School and has coached the Squirt A1 team in the DYHA for the past three years. Chris is a USA Hockey Level 3 certified coach.

Chris also coaches teams, clinics, camps, and lessons at Twin Rinks, home of Connecticut’s premier spring hockey program, the CT Breakers. Established in collaboration with DYHA, Twin Rinks programming, and the CT Breakers provide players the opportunity to train with top-end coaches in a travel hockey environment while still allowing them to play spring sports. More information on the CT Breakers program can be found here: Twin Rinks Stamford – Where champions are born.

Andrew Furtak learned to skate at Darien Ice Rink under the tutelage of Jamie Tropsa and Al Gurney and their Blueline Hockey Academy. His youth career was spent with New Milford Youth Hockey and Western Youth Hockey. Andrew played high school hockey for New Milford/Immaculate and ACHA club hockey for Western Connecticut State University.

Andrew also coaches teams, clinics, camps, and lessons at Twin Rinks, home of Connecticut’s premier spring hockey program, the CT Breakers. Established in collaboration with DYHA, Twin Rinks programming, and the CT Breakers provide players the opportunity to train with top-end coaches in a travel hockey environment while still allowing them to play spring sports. More information on the CT Breakers program can be found here: Twin Rinks Stamford – Where champions are born.

Pat Gore Born in Quincy, Massachusetts, Pat grew up in Fairfield playing for Darien Youth Hockey as well as high school hockey at Fairfield Prep, winning multiple state & regional championships. He was part of the 1998 Squirt AA team that won both State & New England Regional Championships at the Tier 1 level, and has been part of DYHA since 1993. Pat started coaching while in high school for DYHA, and has coached all ages from 3-18 year olds for 20+ years. He has been the head coach of the Pee Wee AA team at DYHA since 2015, winning multiple state championships as well as the 2022 New England Regional championship. Pat initially joined Darien High School as the JV Head Coach & Varsity assistant coach in 2007. During his three years with the Blue Wave, Darien won an FCIAC championship and advanced to the CIAC final four in 2010. From 2010-2017, Pat coached at New Canaan High School, spending 4 years as the Associate Head Coach, and his final 3 seasons as the Head Coach. During his time at NC, Pat won 2 more FCIAC championships and advanced the the CIAC final four twice as well. Pat returned to the Blue Wave prior to the 2017-2018 season and has been the Associate Head Coach since 2020. In 2021-22, Pat was named CHSCA Assistant Coach of the year in CT, as the Blue Wave lost in the Division 1 Championship game. Many of his players have advanced on to both the D3 & D1 college level, as well as dozens of Club hockey players. Pat is a USA Hockey Level 4 certified coach. 

Andrew Gore Andrew grew up playing at DYHA where his PW A team won both the state and regional championships. Andrew was a four-year varsity letter winner at St. Joseph High School serving as Captain his Senior year and was awarded the Hobey Baker Award. He was named 1st Team All County (FCIAC), 1st Team All State (CIAC), 1st Team MSG Varsity Metropolitan Area as well as MVP of the CT High School All Star Game. Andrew attended Nichols College where he was a Club Hockey member for four years, serving as Asst. Captain his Junior and Senior years.

Paul Hammer grew up in Minnesota and earned All-State and All-American honors playing for Aurora Hoyt Lakes High School. He was a 4-year letter winner at Boston College where his 1978 team was a Finalist in the NCAA Division I National Championship before playing professionally in Europe for a year. He has been involved in coaching with the DYHA since 1996 and has a USA Hockey Level 4 coaching certification.

Andrew (AJ) James played his youth hockey at Mid-Fairfield from Squirts through Midgets earning a trip to three USA Hockey National Tournaments. He played for Trinity Catholic High School for a year before attending Trinity Pawling where he played varsity hockey and lacrosse. AJ pursued lacrosse in college at Clark University where he played for four years. AJ has been helping teach hockey at STR since he was sixteen and has worked with DYHA for the past few years in the House program and with Bantam AA.

Christian Mallozzi 

Rosario Mallozzi played his Youth Hockey at Mid Fairfield, was a four-year letterman at Stamford High School and played two years of Junior hockey under the direction of Marty and Perry Roos. Rosario has coached at all age levels at organizations such as Mid Fairfield, CT Yankees, Stamford Youth Hockey and most recently with the CT Jr. Whalers in the PeeWee age group. He has also served in Assistant Coach roles with Stamford High School and Trinity Catholic High School. He has won multiple state, regional and Silver Stick championships and has been a Level 5 USA Hockey Coach since 2007.

Bob Mazzone has been a DYHA coach since 1994 and led the DYHA’s mini-mite program from 1995 – 2005. He has also served as Head or Assistant Coach on several mite, squirt and Ice Cats teams. More recently, Bob has been a coach at both the Mite and Squirt levels and has led multiple teams to CHC state titles. Bob was a Captain and earned All-League honors at Wakefield High School before playing a PG year at Phillips Andover Academy. He played four years of JV Hockey at Harvard, serving as Captain his senior year. Bob is a USA Hockey Level 4 certified coach.

Seth Michelson brings fifteen plus years of power skating & hockey skills instruction to DYHA and ICE CATS. Seth Prior to coming to DYHA, Coach Seth spent three years at the Sono Ice House, where he coached at the Mite through Midget level. Before that, he spent time with the CT Ice Cats & Greenwich Panthers. Coach Michelson is the Powerskating Instructor at Stamford Twin Rinks and runs Michelson Power Skating offering individual and group training. He specializes in skating proficiency and stride development. Players who work with Coach Seth see dramatic improvement in their balance & stability along with their speed & agility, all of which translates to more confident hockey player.

Seth also coaches teams, clinics, camps, and lessons at Twin Rinks, home of Connecticut’s premier spring hockey program, the CT Breakers. Established in collaboration with DYHA, Twin Rinks programming, and the CT Breakers provide players the opportunity to train with top-end coaches in a travel hockey environment while still allowing them to play spring sports. More information on the CT Breakers program can be found here: Twin Rinks Stamford – Where champions are born.

John Miserendino Originally from Southbury, Connecticut, John began coaching hockey during his HS senior season with the WP Indians and over the last decade has established himself as one of the premier youth coaches in Connecticut. John has successfully coached at all levels of youth hockey from 8U-18U as well as High School, coaching Wilton High School to their most successful seasons since their inception. John has professionally served as Director of Hockey Operations for several local rinks including Danbury Ice Arena, Sono Ice House, and currently for Stamford Twin Rinks. He has also served as program director for several notable programs including the New York Rangers Assist program and Hockey in Norwalk Foundation. For DYHA, John serves as Mite Development Coordinator and Head Coach of Mite A, a role in which he oversees the development of DYHA’s youngest stars.

John is also the Director and coach for Twin Rinks Clinics, Summer Camps, and Connecticut’s premier Spring Hockey Program, the CT Breakers. Established in collaboration with DYHA, Twin Rinks programming and the CT Breakers provide local players the opportunity to train with top-end coaches in a travel hockey environment while still allowing them to play spring sports. More information on the CT Breakers program can be found here: Twin Rinks Stamford – Where champions are born. John can be reached at 203-968-9000 x 14, or found at the Hockey office at Stamford Twin Rinks!

Chris Nelson Chris Nelson is the Head Coach of St. Joseph High School and heads teams at the Bantam and Midget levels for DYHA, as a USA Hockey Level 4 certified coach. Prior to joining DYHA in 2019, Chris led teams with the CT Riverhawks organization. In addition to coaching his teams, Chris ran skills clinics for the Development League at the Shelton Rinks and many of the hockey camps there. His local youth hockey was played at Mid Fairfield from Mites through Midgets, so Chris is very familiar with the landscape of CT youth hockey. Fifteen years of private skill instruction for players from beginner to professional levels, gives Chris the skills-based focus required to help players excel both individually and as a team.

Jimmy Newman

Buzz Olson began coaching at the DYHA in the 2009-2010 season. He currently serves as head coach of the PW A team and assistant coach of the DYHA Midget Minor White team. Buzz is also the assistant coach of the King School’s varsity hockey team.

He began his youth hockey coaching career in 1982 at Mid Fairfield Youth Hockey. He has since coached a total of 51 teams at all age levels in 6 different organizations located in Connecticut and Massachusetts. He has been USA Hockey Level 4 certified since 1995. He was Co-Head Coach of the varsity hockey team at St. Luke’s School in New Canaan from 2017 to 2021.

Buzz was a three-year varsity starter at Phillips Academy in Andover MA and a member of the Harvard Freshman and Junior Varsity teams. He was a three-time Colorado State Speed Skating champion and one year Rocky Mountain Speed Skating Champion.

John O’Neill is a product of Ithaca, NY, and Greenwich, CT, a USA Hockey Level 4 certified coach and former Level 4 official. He spent 2 years coaching in the Greenwich Jr. Hockey League as well as 1 year assisting Laura Stamm power skating, 5 years with the Winnetka, IL youth program and 2 years with Minneapolis Youth Hockey. Since returning to Darien in ‘91, he spent 5 years as a head coach with the Darien Sr. House program and 2 years with Rising Stars and since 2001 has been a Head or Assistant coach from Mites to Midgets in DYHA with a brief pause from 2011-14. John spent 4 seasons as the Assistant Varsity coach at St. Luke’s School in New Canaan. John has been the Assistant PW A coach since 2015 and currently Assistant Varsity Coach at F.A.A. Champion King School.

John also coaches teams, clinics, camps, and lessons at Twin Rinks, home of Connecticut’s premier spring hockey program, the CT Breakers. Established in collaboration with DYHA, Twin Rinks programming, and the CT Breakers provide players the opportunity to train with top-end coaches in a travel hockey environment while still allowing them to play spring sports. More information on the CT Breakers program can be found here: Twin Rinks Stamford – Where champions are born.

Peter Moseley

William “Billy” Santora is a Stamford native whose youth hockey experiences included playing for the Mid-Fairfield Blues (State Champions), Stamford Sharks, New England Nighthawks, and the CT Yankees. Billy played four years of high school hockey at Stamford High School where he was named Captain and earned All-State honors as a defenseman. Since graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 2018, Billy has coached for the Stamford Sharks and the CT Jr. Whalers at the Bantam and Peewee levels, respectively. He credits his passion for teaching hockey to the coaches he played for when growing up including Rosario Mallozzi, Clark Jones, Dave LoPresti and Eric Lind. Billy holds a Level 2 USA Hockey Coaching Certification and will gain his Level 3 over the course of the 2020-21 season. When not on the ice, Billy enjoys playing golf and fishing the Long Island Sound.

Darius Souza is a Rhode Island native who grew up playing for the Providence Capitals. He played two years for LaSalle Academy before playing U16 and U18 in the USPHL for the South Shore Kings. Darius is a four-year member of the ACHA Division II Sacred Heart hockey team. 

Darius also coaches teams, clinics, camps, and lessons at Twin Rinks, home of Connecticut’s premier spring hockey program, the CT Breakers. Established in collaboration with DYHA, Twin Rinks programming, and the CT Breakers provide players the opportunity to train with top-end coaches in a travel hockey environment while still allowing them to play spring sports. More information on the CT Breakers program can be found here: Twin Rinks Stamford – Where champions are born.

Matt Stack has been coaching DYHA Midgets for the past 8 years. He played professional hockey with the Adirondack Ice Hawks of the United Hockey League, the “AA” affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes. In college he was a two-sport captain in hockey and lacrosse at New England College and helped lead the Pilgrims to three championships in eight seasons, with two finals defeats. In 2015 he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at New England College. Matt's passion lies in the development of the complete hockey player, on and off the ice. Matt is USA Hockey Level 4 certified and currently 11 of his students have been drafted into the NHL and he has helped coach and train numerous prep school, Division I/III, professional and Olympic athletes. Matt is currently the Project Manager within the Construction Dept at Shoreline Pools. Prior to Shoreline, Matt helped launch both BlueStreak Sports Training in 2004 and Chelsea Piers Connecticut in 2012. Matt currently resides in Darien with his wife Tanya, and three beautiful children, Bryce, Avery, and Dylan. Hockey has been a life-long passion of Matt's and now gets to enjoy watching his children as they matriculate through DYHA / Ice Cats as a proud hockey dad! 

Kelly Babstock is originally from the greater Toronto, Ontario area and went to Quinnipiac University from 2010 – 2015 where she is the All-time leading scorer with 95 goals and 108 assists for a combined 203 points. Kelly was also named Quinnipiac Female Athlete of the year in 2011 and 2014, ECAC Player and Rookie of the year in 2011, 4x All New England First Team, Three time All-ECAC First Team Selection, One All-ECAC Second Team Selection, Top-10 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Finalist (Best Women's D1 College Player), Second Team All-American, 2x NWHL All-Star, and recently announced on the Second Team ECAC Hockey All-Decade Team. Kelly currently plays for the Riveters.

Jordan Brickner A native of the Chicagoland area, Jordan attended Hotchkiss School where she played four seasons for the Bearcats, as well as the Mid Fairfield CT Stars. Jordan played 2 seasons at Colgate followed by 2 at the University of Wisconsin. After a successful college career, Brickner played in Europe with the Salzburg Eagles and Hockey Club Lugano and as a member of the CT Whale of the NWHL. 

Jordan also coaches teams, clinics, camps, and lessons at Twin Rinks, home of Connecticut’s premier spring hockey program, the CT Breakers. Established in collaboration with DYHA, Twin Rinks programming, and the CT Breakers provide players the opportunity to train with top-end coaches in a travel hockey environment while still allowing them to play spring sports. More information on the CT Breakers program can be found here: Twin Rinks Stamford – Where champions are born.

Michael Carlucci grew up playing “A” level travel hockey for 8 years where he won 6 CHC state titles and 2 New England Regional Championships. He played on Team Connecticut, 4 years of Trinity Catholic Varsity Hockey, earning 2 State Championships and 1 State title, followed by 2 years of University of Connecticut Club hockey. Mike’s extensive coaching career includes the Greenwich Blues, Trinity Catholic High School, the New England Generals, and the New Canaan Winter Club. Mike has also been Hockey Director for the Rinks at Shelton and SoNo Ice House and Travel Hockey Coordinator for the Fairfield Ice Academy. Mike’s most important contribution to youth hockey the area been through the creation of the longest running, successful spring hockey program, CT United Spring Hockey (originally known as CT Flames). Founded in 2011, this 10-week, professionally coached program focuses on skill development that isn’t possible during a regular-season schedule with regular games. https://ctunitedhockey.com/ Mike's dedication to our young hockey players is both generous and inspiring to watch. contact info   privatehockey@gmail.com, 203-912-0873

Johnnie Chiapperino

Darnell Dorival

Brett Farson

Brett also coaches teams, clinics, camps, and lessons at Twin Rinks, home of Connecticut’s premier spring hockey program, the CT Breakers. Established in collaboration with DYHA, Twin Rinks programming, and the CT Breakers provide players the opportunity to train with top-end coaches in a travel hockey environment while still allowing them to play spring sports. More information on the CT Breakers program can be found here: Twin Rinks Stamford – Where champions are born.

Pete Moseley 

Lindsey Reihl

Jamie Tropsa began playing hockey at the age of 5 on the ponds. He then played organized hockey with MidFairfield Youth Hockey. He played for Stamford High School, coached by Al Gurney who is instrumental in the success of Darien High School girls hockey program. He went on to play for Suffolk University where he was a 2 year MVP and team captain. After college he came back to Stamford and opened his business Blue Line Sports at the Darien Ice Rink. He continued my partnership with Al Gurney running summer hockey camp, Darien Hockey School, now in its 35th year and renamed Blue Line Hockey Academy. Jamie has coached ice hockey at all levels. He coached 1 year at Iona College, 5 years with the Darien High School Boys, 13 years with the New Canaan High School boys, and continues to coach the Darien High School girls team. Along the way he coached Mites, Squirts and Peewee house teams at DYHA. He also coached Bantam and Midget boys. Jamie has been a coach within the extremely successful Ice Cats girls program, switching coaching duties between U12 and U14 and now currently with the U10 and U19. 2013 was a “banner” year for Jamie as Darien High School girls team won their 2nd FCIAC championship and his IceCats U14 team made it all the way to the finals at the National Tournament where they earned a silver medal. He was also honored with FCIAC co-coach of the year and the SCHRA Walt Mather Coach of The Year at the youth hockey level. Jamie's passion is hockey, and his goal every season is to teach and inspire young hockey players to love and learn the game. 

Gray Weicker started playing hockey at the age of seven as goalie, a position he stayed with throughout his entire hockey career. Moving through the town leagues and travel teams, he played for the New York Westsiders and Bergen Rockland Rangers in the Metropolitan Junior Hockey Association. In 1979 Grey was recruited by St. Lawrence University. A successful four years of varsity hockey culminated in being named captain and All American Goalie his senior year. Gray signed a contract with the Hartford Whalers in 1983 and played in their farm system in Utica and Binghamton, NY. Gray then began a successful career in the financial industry on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. He was drawn into coaching girls hockey when he started coaching my daughters in 2001 and continues to coach girls to this day. Gray finds that in coaching hockey he receives more fulfillment from teaching something he is passionate about and having a positive impact on his players overall personal development, than he did throughout his business career. Gray's goal is always to find a way to bring out the best of each individual player, to the benefit of the entire team.