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Master’s Division News – Coaching Hires and Evaluation Camps

USA Ball Hockey Masters General Manager Announces Men’s Evaluation Camp Dates

BOSTON — USA Ball Hockey Board of Directors has announced the two open tryout evaluation mini camp dates and locations.  All persons considering attending this open tryout are strongly recommended to attend both camps, as more visibility is helpful in making selections.  These evaluation camps will be used for both Team USA and Masters Team 2.  The official name for Team 2 will be decided at a later date by the USA Ball Hockey staff.

Dates and Locations

  • June 14/15 – 422 Sportsplex, Pottstown PA
  • July 13/14 – Breakaway Hockey Dek & Sports Rink, Dracut MA

Anyone wishing to attend this open tryout must fill out the player registration form in order to attend:
https://usaballhockey.com/mens-masters-evaluation-registration//

Evaluation Format

  • Friday night – Hotel conference room (hotel location to be announced later) – 8-9 p.m.
  • Saturday – 8 a.m. arrival at the rink; start evaluations at 9 a.m.

Friday night will be used to provide attendees with an introduction to the program.  Additionally, the staff will cover expectations of the next year of camps, tournaments, and financial costs for travel to the tournament. Friday night is not mandatory but strongly recommended to ensure all the necessary information has been received.

Players will check in Saturday at 8 a.m., get dressed, and warm up to be ready to start by 9 a.m. Evaluations will finish up around 6 p.m. At that time players may leave to go home, or come to a social event, details of which will be announced at a later date.

Director of Hockey Operations Cory Herschk of Pittsburgh, PA, along with Masters Division Men’s General Manager Chris Caplan, lead the search for Head Coaches for both teams to find the best candidates.  The following gentleman have been named head coach for their respective teams:

  • Jeff Jordan – Team USA Head Coach

Jeff Jordan began playing ball hockey in North East Philadelphia, PA in the late 80s. In the early 90s, he joined Mayfair Hockey, one of the top teams in the region for many years.  Mr. Jordan continued playing “A” level hockey over the next two decades. Most recently he was player/coach with the PA Caspers club team who competed in “A” level tournaments for a number of years. Jordan was a member of the 2014 DC Masters and is a class of 2019 Mid-Atlantic Ball Hockey Hall of Fame inductee.

  • Rock Stefan – USA Masters Team 2 Head Coach

Rock has been involved in hockey since 1974. He is proud to have watched this game evolve and states, “As the game has changed, the biggest lesson I have learned as a coach, GM, player or even a referee is I have had to change.” As a coach, Mr. Stefan would take teams every summer to Canada and compete in tournaments to learn the international game. Thanks to YouTube and social media, he makes watching tournaments his hobby, and it has helped to prepare him during the last three World Championships. Rock served as the Head Coach in the Men’s Senior World Championships in 2000, Defensive Coach for Team USA Masters in 2014, and the GM/Head Coach in Bermuda last summer.

Notable USA Masters Division staff members include:
  • Mark O’Neill – Head Scout – Boston, MA
  • Scott Bokowski – Head Scout – Buffalo, NY

USA Ball Hockey scouts and Masters Division staff members are continually scouting the top players in this country who have the desire to compete at the World Championships in 2020.

 

USABH is the premier ball hockey organization in the United States and possesses a comprehensive reach nationally, at all levels of play, thanks to strategic alliances with key organizations. We are focused on growing the game, from the beginner youth levels through international competition. USABH’s intention is to facilitate national teams and unify all juniors, men’s, women’s and masters programs and events.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @USAballhockey or search: USA Ball Hockey

Junior’s Division National Teams Announcement – Coaching Staffs

USA Ball Hockey Junior’s program announces various selections for U18 and U16 Coaching Staffs and National Director

BOSTON — The USA Ball Hockey Board of Directors have selected the following personnel to represent the United States Junior National Ball Hockey program.  These personnel were selected based on their excellent qualifications along with their proven passion for helping grow and develop the sport of ball hockey here in the United States.  These outstanding leaders will be working on building winning rosters for their respective divisions as the United States continues their pursuit of Gold Medals.

Junior U18 Division Head Coach – Josh Barbas, St. Catharines, Ontario, CA

Josh Barbas has been traveling to United States and Canada to play dek & ball hockey since he was 13 years old. Born and raised in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, Josh comes from a long blood line of hockey players. He is the son of a hockey coach and has been playing the sport since he could walk. Barbas is a current member of the Niagara Rebels Ball Hockey Club, and has earned the respect of the American hockey community by also being a member of the Pittsburgh Gods and Leominster Americans. He has played in three ISBHF World Championships on the Greek National Team, serving as team captain on that roster. One thing has been common no matter where Josh is, he’s always instructing hockey. Not just when working with the youth, but as a player on the bench. Strategy, an eye for talent, the ability to place the right people on the rink at the right times are reasons we are excited to have Josh Barbas serve as our U-18 Head Coach.  In addition, it’s his mentorship and experience that add to why we are thrilled to have him working with our Junior players as he and the U18 staff lead us towards a Gold Medal.

Rounding out the U18 Management and Coaching Staff are the following personnel:

  • Assistant GM – Willie Rennebeck, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Assistant Coach – Jonny Ruiz, Williamstown, NJ
  • Assistant Coach – Mike Malloy Jr, Sewell, NJ

Junior U16 Division Head Coach – John Gallen, Somerdale, NJ

John Gallen is a proven winner, having lead teams that have won numerous tournaments over the years in countless ways. He’s coached many of the top U-16 players ever since they were playing at the U-10 age group, as well as when they were Beaver aged. His 81-4-1 record as head coach in major tournaments is impressive, but the way he’s gone about it is simple. Teach and preach fundamentals. The discipline of the game is what John attributes to much of his player’s good fortune, but most importantly the kids have poured their hearts and soles into playing for him. Despite the tournament wins achieved at each level, Gallen is loved by his players and respected among the entire ball hockey community. “Ball possession, finding lanes, patience, fast pace, but not a run and gun style of hockey, and disciplined defenses,” are what John says will be the team’s list priorities. “No priority is greater than giving every top rated player an opportunity to compete as this level. Myself, Vaccaro (GM) and our coaches, assistant GMs, and scouts have an obligation to be watching players who play in not just tournaments, but leagues on the dek and on the ice. We will be on the phone with club team coaches soliciting their opinions on players that they not only coach but play against to make sure we leave no stone unturned,” says Gallen. “We can’t wait to watch as these players emerge into the stars of hockey for our country headed to the World Championships wearing the red, white, and blue.”  USA Ball Hockey is excited to have Mr. Gallen lead our U16 team towards the Gold Medal.

Rounding out the U16 Management Staff is Angelo Fox from Pittsburgh, PA.

In addition, the USA Ball Hockey Board of Directors have selected the following personnel to complete the U20 Management and Coaching Staffs:

Junior U20 Final Management and Assistant Coaching Staff:

  • Assistant GM – Joe Washart, Bellmawr, NJ
  • Assistant Coach – Bill Sullivan, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Assistant Coach – Mike DeFazio, Lunenberg, MA
  • Assistant Coach – Nick Carter, Leominster, MA

Lastly, we are excited to announce that Don Gregory of Pittsburgh, PA has accepted the role of National Director of the Junior Divisions. He will be leading our Junior Division General Managers as they collaborate and coordinate the details for families and players participating in the 2020 games. Gregory will coordinate tryouts, camps, travel logistics, uniform and apparel details as well as assist in developing fundraisers to help players and families afford the travel expenses. He founded the Team Pittsburgh Dekhockey Organization in 1999, growing the program from a few dozen players to over several hundred.

 

USABH is the premier ball hockey organization in the United States and possesses a comprehensive reach nationally, at all levels of play, thanks to strategic alliances with key organizations. We are focused on growing the game, from the beginner youth levels through international competition. USABH’s intention is to facilitate national teams and unify all juniors, men’s, women’s and masters programs and events.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @USAballhockey or search: USA Ball Hockey

Master’s Division Leadership Announcement

USA Ball Hockey Master’s program announces selections for General Manager and National Director

BOSTON —The USA Ball Hockey Board of Directors have selected the following personnel to represent the United States Master’s National Ball Hockey program.  These personnel were selected based on their excellent qualifications along with their proven passion for helping grow and develop the sport of ball hockey here in the United States.  These outstanding leaders will be working on building winning rosters for their respective divisions as the United States continues their pursuit of Gold Medals.

Master’s Men’s Division General Manager – Chris Caplan, Maple Shade, NJ

Chris Caplan has been a part of the ball hockey community for many years.  Known by many simply as “Cappy”,  he previously managed the New Jersey Force, which was a team known for its talent for years. Chris has played on the Men’s Masters team and is currently the GM of two traveling over-50 teams. He assisted Rock Stefan in putting together the Old Glory team which competed at the 2018 ISBHF Masters Championships in Bermuda.  He implemented speed and agility training, a fore-checking, offensive, and defensive system of hockey, and most importantly creating a team first family atmosphere in the locker-room.  USA Ball Hockey is thrilled to have Chris Caplan manage our Masters division.  One player recently said, “Chris is the reason I tell my teammates ‘I love you’ even more than I tell my own family members. Call it what you will but we have grown to love each other as brothers because of his leadership.” Mr. Caplan and his soon to be announced staff will have the tall task of creating not one but two contenders for Gold in the Masters division. “We want to be more athletic and more driven than ever before. I plan to search the entire country for what it is we need, though I believe we have a lot of that ‘IT’ factor here within the current program. We just have to put it together.” said Caplan as he begins to plan for 2020.

Master’s Division – National Director – Terri Milby, Linwood, PA

Terri Milby’s full time occupation may be in Neurodiagnostics helping ill patients, but her passion leads her to ball hockey which is where she’s volunteered her time for over 20 years as a player, manager, employee, and in more recent years, photographer. Her love for the game and respect for the players are some of the reasons she’s dedicated countless hours of her personal time to capture special moments for the teams and their families, from the youth division to the Masters. In addition to playing and running teams for two decades, Terri has competed on the Women’s National Masters Red Team 2014 and 2016. Recently she served as Assistant GM to the 2018 USA Men’s Masters Team where she learned a lot about what goes on behind the scenes and how much work goes into organizing and competing at an international level.  Terri will be working closely with both the Men’s and Women’s Masters GMs to ensure world class programs are put together with efficiency and timeliness.  USA Ball Hockey is thrilled to have her on board.

Ms. Milby and Mr. Caplan have coordinated with scouts to begin evaluating the Masters division as soon as this weekend at the North American Masters Ball Hockey Tournament.  “Our scouts will not only be watching the talent on the rink at events coming up this tournament season, but they’ll also be communicating with coaches, team managers, and rink owners all over the United States so that no stone goes unturned. Our job is to give the USA the best chance at winning gold,” says Caplan.

 

USABH is the premier ball hockey organization in the United States and possesses a comprehensive reach nationally, at all levels of play, thanks to strategic alliances with key organizations. We are focused on growing the game, from the beginner youth levels through international competition. USABH’s intention is to facilitate national teams and unify all juniors, men’s, women’s and masters programs and events.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @USAballhockey or search: USA Ball Hockey

2019 USA Ball Hockey Uniforms

USA Ball Hockey proudly presents the uniforms for the 2019 ISBHF World Ball Hockey Championships, which will be held in Kosice, Slovakia this coming June.  These uniforms will be worn with pride and honor by the Men’s and Women’s National Ball Hockey teams.

The uniforms were designed by Women’s National Team Assistant Coach Jason Glista.  Mr. Glista spent a significant amount of time working on every minor detail in the uniforms.  The proposal he made to USA Ball Hockey impressed everyone on the Board of Directors, and that attention to detail paid off as the Board unanimously selected this design for the upcoming World Championships.  Please join us in thanking Mr. Glista for his passion and dedication to the sport.

Click each image to view the larger version!

Junior’s Division National Teams Announcement

 

USA Ball Hockey Junior’s program announces selections for General Managers and U20 Head Coach

BOSTON —The USA Ball Hockey Board of Directors have selected the following personnel to represent the United States Junior National Ball Hockey program.  These personnel were selected based on their excellent qualifications along with their proven passion for helping grow and develop the sport of ball hockey here in the United States.  These outstanding leaders will be working on building winning rosters for their respective divisions as the United States continues their pursuit of Gold Medals.

Junior U20 Division General Manager – Mike Albright, Pittsburgh, PA

Mike Albright has previously served as the Head Coach of Junior U20 National Teams in World Junior Ball Hockey Championships in 2016 and 2018, winning one bronze medal.  Mr. Albright currently coaches the top ranked Team Pittsburgh Saints freshman team, and also serves well as an assistant coach on the Pittsburgh Gods, one of the top tournament ball hockey teams in the United States.  Mr. Albright has a proven knowledge of the game, and his experience in previous tournaments uniquely positions him to scout the current landscape of players with the knowledge of what skill sets are needed to help the United States win the Gold Medal.  Mike also has a unique ability to build and maintain relationships in this sport, which will benefit him greatly as he looks to assemble to a winning team for 2020.

Junior U20 Division Head Coach – Jim Daugherty, Pittsburgh, PA

Jim Daugherty is a former Men’s National Team player who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Gods.  Mr. Daugherty has a tremendous amount of experience as a player at the international level, and also possesses a keen understanding of what it takes to succeed and win at that level.  He has also served in a leadership capacity as both a player and coach for local and travel teams, and has helped these teams win dozens of tournaments over his playing career.  He will be working closely with General Manager Mike Albright to galvanize a roster of exceptional talent that will help the U20 National Team in their quest for Gold.  Mr. Daugherty will also be working with Mr. Albright to finalize his coaching staff in the near future.

Junior U18 Division General Manager – Mike Malloy, Sewell, NJ

Mike Malloy worked as an Assistant Coach on the 2016 U20 Junior team, before taking the Head Coach position on the 2018 team.  He helped to serve as the logistics manager as well as HC for the U-16 teams in 2018 (both Blue Team and Red Team).  Mr. Malloy also serves as the Head Coach of the Garden State Warriors franchise, a newly established tournament ball hockey team which has 2-Men’s Division second place finishes, 1-Holiday Bash Championship, and a North American Semifinal appearance in its first 4 tournaments with Mike as the Head Coach.  Mr. Malloy works with scouts and evaluates the talent on both the Warriors and their farm-team the Indians.  Malloy is one of the most respected men in New Jersey in this sport among not only his peers but the community.  At the Junior level, he is one of the most knowledgeable leaders in the game.

Junior U16 Division General Manager- Nick Vaccaro, Gloucester, NJ

Nick Vaccaro was the first name that more than a dozen established coaches and players said when asked, “Who do you trust to build a winner at the U-16 level?”  Mr. Vaccaro has been around the sport of hockey for over 30-years and is always the first guy at the rink with a notebook in hand taking notes on players and teams to prepare.  He helped to field and coach a developmental team in the 2018 Junior World Championships when the U.S. produced an “A” and a “B/Developmental” team.  Preparation and organization are his stronger attributes.  Mr. Vaccaro has incredibly strong relationships with the parents, players and coaches throughout the Northeast.  He is one of the nation’s premier talent evaluators, and has established relationships with other talent evaluators to ensure players from all over the country are recognized and reviewed for their talents and possible contributions to the National Teams.

 

U18 and U16 Head Coaches are expected to be announced next week.

 

USABH is the premier ball hockey organization in the United States and possesses a comprehensive reach nationally, at all levels of play, thanks to strategic alliances with key organizations. We are focused on growing the game, from the beginner youth levels through international competition. USABH’s intention is to facilitate national teams and unify all juniors, men’s, women’s and masters programs and events.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @USAballhockey or search: USA Ball Hockey

Women’s 2019 National Team Roster

USA Ball Hockey Women’s program announces rosters for 2019 Women’s National Team

BOSTON — General Manager Jason Kelly and Head Coach Gwen Ranquist-Lemieux are proud to announce the selection of the following players to the 2019 Women’s National Ball Hockey Team.  These players will be competing for the Gold Medal at the 2019 ISBHF World Ball Hockey Championships in Kosice, Slovakia this coming June.

Men’s 2019 National Team Roster

USA Ball Hockey Men’s program announces rosters for 2019 Men’s National Team

BOSTON — General Manager Mike DeFazio and Head Coach Cory Herschk are proud to announce the selection of the following players to the 2019 Men’s National Ball Hockey Team.  These players will be competing for the Gold Medal at the 2019 ISBHF World Ball Hockey Championships in Kosice, Slovakia this coming June.

Women’s U20 and Masters Announcement

USA Ball Hockey women’s program announces evaluations for 2020 Under-20 and Masters teams

BOSTON — USA Ball Hockey assistant director of hockey operations — women’s division, Alessandra Glista announces evaluations for the 2020 World Championships U20 and masters teams.

To be eligible for the U20 team you must be born 01/01/2000 or later.  To be eligible for the Masters teams you must be born 12/31/1985 or earlier.  

Scouting will take place at all major events nationally including but not limited to, Cool Hockey’s North American Ball Hockey Championships March 22-23 in Feasterville, PA at the UWBHF’s Springfest tournament May 18-19 in Dracut, MA and at the Youth North American Championships May 18-19 in Feasterville, PA for the U20 team, and also New England Classic May 31-June 2.

A final evaluation will be held in the summer of 2019 information to be determined.

Dorene Sheets, who serves as an assistant coach for the 2019 Women’s National Team, has been selected as the U20 team head coach.

Masters Team Blue’s head coach is Shawn Mulcahy and he will be joined on the bench by assistant coaches Paul White and Jason Glista. Head coach Jackie Spiegel and assistant coaches Jacob Denne and Chris Howdeshell will be the staff for Team Red.

Applications are currently being accepted for the following staff positions until April 11.

USA U20 Women’s Team

General manager, assistant general manager, assistant coach (2)

USA Masters

General manager, assistant general manager

Player’s interested in being evaluated or to submit an application for the womens’ staff positions, please apply at USAballhockey.com. Please email aglista@usabh.org with any questions.  

USABH is the premier ball hockey organization in the United States and possesses a comprehensive reach nationally, at all levels of play, thanks to strategic alliances with key organizations. We are focused on growing the game, from the beginner youth levels through international competition. USABH’s intention is to facilitate national teams and unify all juniors, men’s, women’s and masters programs and events.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @USAballhockey or search: USA Ball Hockey

2020 Junior and Masters Announcement

USA Ball Hockey announces evaluations for the 2020 junior men and men’s masters teams

BOSTON — USA Ball Hockey announces that applications are now being accepted and evaluations are set to begin for the 2020 junior men and masters men’s divisions.  Apply today for the general manager, coaching, scouting, and player positions to represent the United States at the World Championships.

Applications are currently being accepted for the following staff positions:

USA Juniors

U16 general manager, U16 head coach, U16 assistant coaches, U16 scout

U18 general manager, U18 head coach, U18 assistant coaches, U18 scout

U20 general manager, U20 head coach, U20 assistant coaches, U20 scout

USA Masters

Tier I team general manager, head coach, assistant coach, scout

Tier II team general manager, head coach, assistant coach, scout

To apply, please visit USAballhockey.com or email  info@usabh.org.  The hiring window to register will close on April 5, 2019.  Our goal is to have our staff selected by April 22, 2019.

 

Evaluations for players will run from now until July 15th. All players interested in representing USABH at the 2020 games must register to be evaluated online and be present at any of the events below. We will host invitational tryout camps at dates and locations that are to be announced soon.

Scouts will also be evaluating players at various rinks around the country including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, North Carolina, Texas, and Nevada.

JUNIOR EVENTS

March 22-24   — North American Championship (Feasterville, PA)

March 23-31   — Eastern Regional Tournament (Bellmawr, NJ)

April 11-14      — Midwest Regional Tournament (Penn Hills, PA)

April 26-28      — Street Hockey U.S.A. Nationals (Pittsburgh, PA)

April 27-May 5 — NSHA Nationals Tournament (Blackwood, NJ)

May 3-5           — U.S. Dek Hockey Nationals (Leominster, MA)

May 17-19       — The Club Championships (Pittsburgh, PA)

May 17-19       — North American Championships (Feasterville, PA)

May 24-27       — The American Invitational (Pittsburgh, PA)

May 24-27       — Dekhockey Nationals (Leominster, MA)

July 12-14        — NDA3on3 National Championships (Quad City, Iowa)

 

MASTERS (40+ YEARS) EVENTS

March 22-24   — North American Championships (Feasterville, PA)

April 26-28   — Masters North American Championships (Feasterville, PA)

April 26-28      — Street Hockey U.S.A. Nationals (Pittsburgh, PA)

May 3-5           — U.S. Dekhockey Nationals (Leominster, MA)

May 17-19       — The Club Championships (Pittsburgh, PA)

May 31-June 2 — New England Classic (Fitchburg, MA)

July 12-14        — NDA3on3 National Championships (Quad City, IA)

July 12-14        — Tournament 66 (Pittsburgh, PA)

 

USABH is the premier ball hockey organization in the United States and possesses a comprehensive reach nationally, at all levels of play, thanks to strategic alliances with key organizations. We are focused on growing the game, from the beginner youth levels through international competition. USABH’s intention is to facilitate national teams and unify all Juniors, Men’s, Women’s and Masters programs and events.

Follow us on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @USAballhockey or search: USA Ball Hockey

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