USABH Names Dan Coldwell as GM of the USMNT
USABH Names Dan Coldwell as GM of the USMNT
USA Ball Hockey (USABH) is excited
to announce that it has named Dan Coldwell as the new Men’s National Team General Manager. Dan is currently the Head Coach of the Phoenixville Graffix tournament team, after having played for them for almost 20 years. He was also a member of the USA Master’s team (Old Glory) in 2018. In addition to coaching Graffix he is the Co-Director of the NBHL North Jersey, is a player and team
manager for the Hudson Saints in that division, and is the Assistant Head Coach for the USABH Master’s Team (35+).
When asked what it means to be named GM Dan stated “It’s hard to express what an honor this is. Integrity, character, and transparency are all key building blocks of a successful program, and I’m excited to join the team at USA Ball Hockey that also shares those same values.” Tom Ruiz, Director of the USMNT, says that “Dan has been around our sport for many years and is highly respected. He has always conducted himself in a professional and classy manner. The USMNT will benefit greatly from those attributes along with his exceptional team building skills. Expectations will be very high heading into the 2024 World Championships.” Dan was asked about those expectations and said “The goal from the start is crystal clear. We are building a team to win the gold medal in Switzerland. Coming off winning bronze in 2022, with an amazing core of players returning, there should be no other expectation.”
Professionally, Dan is a Sr. Director for MLB & NHL Network, having been there since its launch in 2009. Prior to that, he worked at ESPN for 8 years. Dan has won 11 national Emmy Awards in his 23 years working in television. During his time at NHL Network, he has helped produce multiple on-air segments about ball hockey covering the NBHL, as well as multiple USABH men’s and women’s national team highlights, interviews and guest segments.
When not on the rink or in the studio, Dan spends the majority of his time with his wife raising their 4 children, including 5-year-old twin boys
High School Ball Hockey League
USA Ball Hockey is proud to announce the Partnership/Sanctioning of The High School Ball
Hockey League (HSBHL, LLC) as The Official High School Ball Hockey League in the United
States.
The Partnership between USA Ball Hockey and The HSBHL is structured along the core goals
of both programs. Growing the Game, dedication to youth players and programs all under a
National Registered Program. The HSBHL is entering its 5th season focussed on growing the
game one school at a time. Original plans called for just a High School League but quickly grew
into High School, Middle School and just recently announced a Grammar School division along
with an all Female Draft league. Boasting over 800 players and 130 coaches for 2022 and
projected growth for 2023 with the recent announcement of the Western PA Division.
For additional information on the HSBHL please contact Scott Tarzy – Director HSBHL, LLC.
highschoolballhockey@gmail.com
Referee Assault Policy
Referee Assault Policy
On October 16, 2022, at a non-sanctioned USA Ball Hockey event, an incident involving violence against a referee occurred. This assault on the referee by a player was egregious and USABH was provided video, audio and eyewitness testimony of the incident.
In the interest in unifying the sport and to demand that the sport be a safe environment for all, USABH conducted an investigation of the incident. A committee of three people were assembled that had no previous knowledge of the incident or the parties involved. The committee interviewed the player, the referee and several eyewitnesses that were in close proximity of the incident. The committee also reviewed the video and audio evidence that was provided at great length. Additionally, the committee researched precedent for incidents such as this one in other sports and concluded that the player acted in a violent, unsportsmanlike and unreasonable manner against a referee.
This is a matter that USABH takes very seriously. USABH heavily condemns the actions of the player. It is the committee’s recommendation after their investigation that the player be subject to a lifetime ban from any USABH activities and the Board of Directors have agreed to uphold
the committee’s recommendation. Without the rule of law, our sport cannot exist. We must protect our referees and take any steps necessary to ensure that the rink is a place for all to be safe, have fun and encourage a healthy lifestyle. Safety for everyone on the rink should always be our #1 priority.
SAVE THE DATE: THE FUTURE STARS INVITATIONAL IS SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 26-28, 2022
Back by popular demand, USA Ball Hockey (USABH) is thrilled to announce that we will be hosting the Future Stars Invitational at the gorgeous, state-of-the-art Buffalo River Works Sports and Entertainment Complex. Mark your calendars to travel to Northern New York with us August 26-28, 2022. Tryout information for players with birthyears of 2006 or younger (Girls 16U Division), 2007-2008 (Boys U15 Division) and 2009-2010 (Boys U13 Division) will be shared in the following weeks. This program is designed to give players an opportunity to compete for their state (MA, NJ, NY, and PA with expansion in the works).
“What an action packed and eye-opening weekend we had together at the end of August this past summer,” says Sean Green, the Director of Athletics and Sponsorship for the complex. “Look for new amenities added to our complex that will bring even more joy and entertainment opportunities to your families as they participate.”
“It’s rare you leave a tournament where everyone is happy; there always seems to be something that leaves you scratching your head,” as USA Ball Hockey’s Director of Hockey Operations, Cory Herschk, shared. “Not this event. This program is special. We are so proud of our players, coaching and managing staffs, families, and all the USABH volunteers who were able to make a dream a reality. We are thrilled to give it a go again in 2022, and every year after.” Tournament Director, Steve Gregory, can’t wait either, “Our inaugural event was a smashing success! You had to have been there on Sunday during the playoffs to feel the facility buzzing with excitement and seeing the smiles and joy on all the players faces as they were treated like professionals.” He added, “It truly had a World Championships feel to it.”
USA Ball Hockey will once again be extending an invitation to their friends from Canada, in hopes that teams from their neighboring country will return to traveling to the states. Gregory says, “The biggest change will without a doubt be having more teams. This year we will hopefully be able to play host to our Canadian friends, and perhaps a club or two from Europe since the Czech Republic is interested in participating.” USABH is also attempting to expand the number of states that participate with interest in the DC area as well as the Midwest. Gregory assured us, “We will always continue to fine tune our events to ensure it’s the highlight of the year for the players who participate.”
Cory Herschk makes it clear that various staffing positions will be retained by General Manager and Coaches, “…who did an excellent job in their roles in 2021.” Contact Herschk to find out if coaching or management positions are available in your state, or how you can be involved.
For additional information, please contact:
Steve Gregory
Tournament Director
USA Ball Hockey
sgregory@usaballhockey.com
Mare Gallen
Assistant Dir. of Hockey, FS Program
USA Ball Hockey
mgallen@usaballhockey.com
Cory Herschk
Director of Hockey Operations
USA Ball Hockey
cherschk@USABallHockey.com
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USABH PARTNERS WITH MYLEC, INC.
BOSTON — USA Ball Hockey is proud to announce that it has reached an agreement to partner with the largest ball hockey equipment provider in the world, Mylec, Inc. The partnership marks the first of its kind for USA Ball Hockey and aligns with the vision of growing the game for years to come in America.
“Mylec is a unique industry and is dedicated to the vision of USABH and the growth of the game,” said USA Ball Hockey President, Chris Banks. “They are on the shelves of all of the major vendors here in the United States, such as Dick’s Sporting Goods and Wal-Mart for a reason. Drive down any street in America. If you notice a child playing hockey, the odds are good they’re using Mylec’s equipment. It goes together with our dream of having every player and official wearing a USA Ball Hockey patch on their shirt or sticker on their helmet.”
While USA Ball Hockey just celebrated its second birthday as a non-profit organization, Mylec Inc. enters its 51st year. “Growing the sport is both of our main objectives,” states Mylec Inc. owner Ricky Laperierre. “We have several working relationships with NHL Teams that also align perfectly to our goals. We feel staying disciplined to our mutual long-term goals will be critical to our long-term success as partners. As an American company that is already synonymous with the sport, we feel this is the absolute perfect time to partner and grow the game.”
The exclusive partnership binds the two through the year 2025 and focuses on investing assets into sport development to support rinks and programs throughout the country that are sanctioned by USA Ball Hockey. Mylec, Inc. will also be active in all USA Ball Hockey events, such as the Future Stars Invitational, and will be present with the U.S. National Teams.
“USABH and Mylec have worked very hard on this exciting announcement. Mylec is a staple in America for off-ice hockey and is synonymous with quality and American pride,” said Banks. “It’s especially fitting that this partnership between Mylec and USABH is finalized on the 4th of July weekend. We look forward to working with Mylec now and in the future to continue to grow our great game.”
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 Master’s programs and events.
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