//Our Staff
//Coaching Testimonials
Thomas Rocco
PAL Islanders NCDC ( Draft Pick ) / Aberdeen Wings NAHL ( Draft Pick ) / NAHL Robertson Cup Champion Aberdeen Wings / St. Cloud University NCAA Division 1
Playing for Coach Lyke gave me an opportunity to develop as a hockey player and a young man. All the resources I needed to be the best player I could be were available to me everyday, both on and off the ice, helping me become equipped with the confidence and skills needed to compete at the higher levels. Coach Lyke believes in Family, Loyalty, Honesty,Hard Work,Integrity, Accountability, and most importantly creating successful habits on and off the ice everyday in everything you do. R.C. instills these values in his players on a daily basis and that was a huge reason why I was able to succeed and continue to develop at the next level of Junior hockey and NCAA Division 1 hockey. Coach Lyke deserves a lot of credit for where I am today as a player and young man and is always around for me if I need anything.
Kyle Rhodes
Guelph Storm OHL / Sudbury Wolves OHL ( Captain ) / Professional Hockey Player ( AHL & ECHL)
Playing for Coach Lyke gave me the opportunity to get to the next level and pursue a career in hockey. R.C. truly cares about the development of his players both on the ice as players and off the ice as young men. Coach Lyke provides his players with all the resources, training, and coaching to help you develop and get to the next level. I am extremely grateful for everything Coach Lyke has helped me with and continues to do for me to this day. R.C. is all about Family and he is always there for his players both on and off the ice if they need him at any time for anything.
Stefan Owens
Maine Nordiques NAHL (Assistant Captain) / All-East Division Team (Selection NAHL) / UMass-Lowell NCAA Division 1
Playing for Coach Lyke was the right step in my development. It allowed me to be on the ice everyday with older players and a great coach that worked with me daily. I spent 3 seasons playing for Coach Lyke and I truly feel that I learned how to compete, train, and improve my game both on and off the ice because of him. Coach Lyke prepared me to move on to the next level of Junior hockey and become an impact player in the North American Hockey league (NAHL). I am very grateful for R.C. and all the coaching and support he gave me that helped me and my brother Stian get to the next level of Junior hockey and NCAA Division 1 hockey. R.C. is always around anytime for his players and he truly cares about his players development on the ice but more importantly off the ice as successful young men.
Jack Zielinski
Kingston Voyageurs OJHL / OJHL All Star Team / Lone Star Brahmas NAHL (Assistant Captain) / NAHL Robertson Cup Champion Lone Star Brahmas / Niagara University NCAA Division 1 (Assistant Captain)
If it was not for Coach Lyke I would not be where I am today. My time playing for the R.C. provided me with the ice time and coaching I needed to advance to the next level. R.C. really stresses the Family environment as a coach and that directly impacted my development and success as a player but more importantly a young man. Overall Coach Lyke gave me all the opportunities to move on to the next level of Junior hockey and then eventually NCAA Division 1 college hockey. I am truly grateful for all the support that Coach Lyke has given me and continues to give me still today in my daily life.
Travis Broughman
Carleton Place Canadians CCHL (All Star) / Oswego State NCAA Division 3 (Captain) / Professional Hockey Player (SPHL / ECHL)
Playing for the R.C. really helped my development to become a better hockey player, teammate, and young man more importantly. Coach Lyke pushes you everyday to be the best hockey player and man you can be. Coach Lyke trusts his players with the skills they have in order to help the team. Because of his style of coaching you gain a sense of confidence in yourself that helps you develop your skills more effectively. I know without having this coaching from R.C. which gave me the necessary development, I know I would not have made it to where I am today. Coach Lyke has helped me get to Tier 2 Junior A Hockey , NCAA Division 3 hockey, and Professional hockey. R.C. was an integral part in all of this process and continues to be there for me in anything I need to this day in my personal life or hockey career.
Jay Croop
Bradford Bulls GMHL Champion / Professional Hockey Player (FPHL / SPHL) / Two Time FPHL Commissioner Cup Champion
Playing for Coach Lyke helped me become a better hockey player and young man. He pushes you everyday to create and develop successful habits that help you succeed not only on the ice but in life as well. R.C. helped me become mentally and physically stronger by instilling confidence in my play which helped my development. This prepared me to have the ability to move on to the next level of hockey and be successful in college hockey and now professional hockey. I know I would not be where I am today as a player and person if it was not for the values and coaching that was provided to me by R.C. Coach Lyke is a players coach and is fully invested in his players success both on and off the ice always. I have never played for or crossed paths with a Coach at any level of hockey that works harder for his players than R.C.
Chad Lopez
Elliot Lake Wildcats NOJHL (All Star) / Kenai Brown Bears / Odessa Jackalopes NAHL / Toronto Jr. Canadiens OJHL / University of Wisconsin Superior NCAA Division 3 (Captain) / Professional Hockey Player (FPHL / SPHL)
Playing for Coach Lyke has been an important part of my success on the ice as a hockey player and more importantly off the ice helping me develop into a man. R.C. helped me build confidence in my game that allowed me to grow and develop into a leader on and off the ice as I progressed to the next level of Junior hockey, NCAA hockey, and now professional hockey. Coach Lyke knows what it takes to be a leader in hockey and life. R.C. instills these qualities of family ,hard work, loyalty, overcoming adversity, and developing successful habits everyday in all his players. Coach Lyke has continued to be a part of my hockey career on the ice and a mentor and a friend of the ice. Without Coach Lyke I know I would not be where I am today. I am extremely grateful to have gotten the opportunity to learn, grow,and develop into a man and better hockey player through his coaching.
Alex Storjohann
Carleton Place Canadians CCHL / Kirkland Lake Goldminers NOJHL (Assistant Captain & All Star) / SUNY Cortland NCAA Division 3 (Assistant Captain) / Professional Hockey Player (FPHL / SPHL)
Playing for Coach Lyke helped shape me into a better hockey player and young man. The resources he provided me were second to none in the hockey world. Playing for R.C. was a crucial step in my development as it helped me get to the next level of Junior hockey and then NCAA hockey. He is an honest Coach that knows how to get the most out of his players both on and off the ice. Everyday Coach Lyke instills valuable life lessons in his players like the importance of family,hard work,confidence,discipline,and creating successful and consistent habits in everything you do. Playing for R.C. gave me the best opportunity to advance to the next level of Junior hockey, NCAA Division 3 hockey, and now professional hockey. One of the things I have always appreciated and admired about Coach Lyke is how much he truly cares for his players. R.C. is heavily invested in all his players' lives both on and off the ice and wants to help them succeed.
Coaching staff
RC Lyke
- Program Director - Associate HC u16 & u18
- Rclyke@icemavericks.com
- (845) 797-0367
R.C. Lyke, a native of Poughkeepsie, NY grew up playing AAA hockey for the Ramapo Saints. R.C. played for Suffern High School for two years where he was a standout defenseman leading his team,the county, and district in points for defenseman. For his efforts R.C. was selected to the All County and All District teams ,while helping lead the perennial NYS powerhouse to two Final Four appearances two years in a row. After a successful youth and high school campaign, R.C. was selected to play for New Jersey Devils Junior B team where he was an All Star defenseman in the Metropolitan Junior Hockey league (MJHL). Thereafter, RC was drafted in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and played for the Springfield Jr. Blues where he helped his team win a NAHL regular season and playoff league championship. As RC continued to improve and climb within the junior ranks, R.C. took his talents to the Bismarck Bobcats of the American Frontier Hockey League (AFHL) where he was named captain and led his team in points for defenseman and penalty minutes. For his efforts R.C. was selected as an AFHL All Star and played in the prestigious King of the Hill tournament with the NAHL and USHL. In his final year of junior hockey, RC played for the Syracuse Crunch of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League (OPJHL) selected as a captain of the team while leading his conference and team in points for defenseman and penalty minutes he was selected as an OPJHL All Star. R.C. had a very successful Junior A career earning himself a full athletic scholarship to play NCAA D1 hockey at Mercyhurst University. While at Mercyhurst, R.C. quickly gained the respect of his teammates as he was a vital part of their defensive core that backboned their MAAC Championship and trip to the NCAA Division 1 National Tournament. R.C. was selected for the "Hardest Hitter Award" all three years by his teammates while also leading his team in hits and plus minus two out of his three seasons at Mercyhurst. Years after graduating, R.C. was inducted into the Mercyhurst University Hall of Fame for his accomplishments while on the hockey team. Once RC's NCAA Division 1 career concluded, R.C. would go on to play 7 years of professional hockey ending his playing career in the SPHL for the Richmond Renegades as a player coach for his final two seasons. After R.C. finished his professional playing career he quickly transitioned into his coaching career. R.C. coached and evaluated at various age levels in USA hockey select festivals and was the Associate Head Coach of the Hudson Valley Empire State Games Hockey team for 4 years. In mid 2009, RC started the Richmond Generals AA/AAA Youth and Junior A hockey organizations. Over the last 12 years, RC has built the Richmond Generals Youth and Junior organization into a nationally recognized developmental program. R.C. has been the only Head Coach and GM in the Richmond Generals Junior A programs 12 year history. RC has earned the right to have been named coach and program of the year multiple times while holding a record of 702 wins, 331 losses, and 35 overtime losses in 1,068 games. RC has built an incredible reputation as a true development coach while being one of the winningest coaches behind the bench in the last 12 years anywhere, at any level. The thing that R.C. is most proud of is his ability as a Coach to help his players move onto the next level and develop them as successful young men in life.To date,RC has helped over 600 players achieve their dreams of playing in the CHL,USHL,NAHL,CJHL, NCAA and CIS College hockey programs, and the professional hockey ranks including the NHL. Today, RC serves as the Director of the Ice Mavericks Tier 1 AAA program and the Associate Head Coach of the U16 & U18 teams. Coach Lyke also scouts for the following teams and programs: Aberdeen Wings (NAHL), Old Grizzlys (AJHL), Twin City Thunder (NCDC).
Brian Leonard
- 16 HC, AC 18u, assistant strength & conditioning coach
- Brianleonard@icemavericks.com
- (862) 812 -5338
Brian Leonard, a Chatham, NJ native grew up playing for the New Jersey Penguins and Bridgewater Bears as well as for his local high school where he won two state championships before moving onto play junior hockey. Brian played for the Richmond Generals for three seasons under Coach Lyke before committing to play NCAA D3 at Castleton University. While at Castleton, Brian played a vital part on the team and was named to the New England Hockey Conference All-Academic team each year he was there. In addition, Brian received the Krampade/AHCA All-American Scholar award for his work on the ice and in the classroom. After graduating from Castleton University in 2020, Brian returned to the Richmond Generals program where he was named the Head Coach of their U18 AAA and the Assistant Coach on both the Richmond Generals Junior A Elite and Premier teams in the USPHL. In the last three seasons with the Richmond Generals organization, Brian played a critical role in their championship run. Additionally, Brian excelled in player recruitment, player development, and player advancement for the entirety of the junior organization which was a key factor to their success. Today, Brian serves as the 16U Head Coach as well as an Assistant Coach for the 18U team and the Assistant Strength Coach for the program. In addition Coach Leonard serves as a scout for the Twin City Thunder in the NCDC.
Sean Bearnhardt
- Director of Hockey Operations
- Seanbearnhardt@icemavericks.com
- (770) 543 -9218
Sean Bearnhard, a native of Webster, NY played locally in the Rochester, NY area before taking his talents to the NCAA D3 level at Suny Morrisville. After one season at Suny Morrisville, Sean elected to move to the greater Atlanta area and attend Kennesaw State University where he played hockey for their ACHA D1 club team. After Sean concluded his playing career, Sean then took over as the head coach of Kennesaw State’s hockey team where he was the head coach for five seasons. Thereafter, Sean then moved on to coaching at the Atlanta Madhatters Junior Program where he was the elite head coach and assistant premier coach. Today, Sean is a Level 5 USA Hockey coach with over 14 years total coaching and development experience in Atlanta Youth and Junior Hockey and serves as an assistant coach and team coordinator for the Ice Mavericks program.
Paul Flache
- Director of Player Development
- Paulflache@icemavericks.com
Paul Flache, a Peterborough, Ontario native has coaching and player development experience gained through over a decade of operating elite training facilities and coaching at various levels of the game. Paul grew up playing junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League with the Brampton Battalion from 99-02 during which he was drafted to the NHL by the Edmonton Oilers (2002). Paul signed his first NHL contract with the Atlanta Thrashers and began his professional career in 2002. Over a 10 year span , Paul spent seasons in the AHL, ECHL and Germany. Upon retirement, Pauls coaching career began in 2012 with the TPH Thunder Program where he worked with the U16 and U18 teams developing and advancing student athletes to the next level as well as making multiple national championship appearances. Paul then served as the associate head coach of the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League before returning back to Atlanta to take over a local junior program. Today, Paul serves as the U18 head coach and program skills/video coach of the Ice Mavericks program.
Tyler Casillo
- Development & skills coach
Tyler Casillo, a Buffalo, NY native grew up playing hockey for Cheektowaga Warriors before moving on to play for the Buffalo Regals and Niagara Whalers of the GOJHL. After a successful junior career, Tyler went on to play at Erie College before getting into coaching in his early twenties. In Tyler's first year of coaching, Tyler guided his u18 team to a sectional final and was able to help a number of his players advance into the junior ranks. Due to the work Tyler did in his first year coaching, Tyler was offered the opportunity to take the head coaching job of his former junior team, the Buffalo Jr. Regals of the GOJHL. In Tyler's first year as the coach the Buffalo Jr. Regals, Tyler guided his team the best record in franchise history, and was named a finalist for coach of the year. In addition to having a successful record, Tyler is most proud of the 14 NCAA commitments that he was able to help his player reciceve while playing for him that season. After a successful campaign with Jr. Regals organization, Tyler elected to take his coaching talents to the sunny state of California where he took the bench for San Diego Sabres of the USPHL. Once again, Tyler was able to set a franchise record for wins by taking a team that had only 15 wins in the previous year to a 33-11-2 record, as well as a franchise first ever playoff experience. Today, Tyler is the performance coach the Ice Mavericks program, and a scout for multiple Tier 2 junior organizations.
Brett Lester
- Program Strength & Conditioning Coach
Brett Lester, a Rochester, NY native grew up playing for the Rochester Americans AAA organization and was a USA Hockey Select 17 development player before going on to play for Boston Jr. Bruins, Lowell Lock Monsters and New England Huskies of the EJHL. Once Brett's junior career concluded, Brett moved to greater Atlanta where he attended Kennesaw State University where he won an ACHA National Championship. After graduating Kennesaw State University with a degree in exercise science, Brett went on to work as physical therapy tech and became a certified sports performance coach as well as certified vertimax trainer. In addition to becoming a top sports performance trainer in the greater Atlanta area, Brett has served as the associate head coach Kennesaw State University ACHA team for four seasons as well as the director of junior hockey for the Atlanta Madhatters during their inaugural season. Today, Brett works for Prosper Athlete where he serves as the strength and conditioning for the Ice Mavericks Program.
TBA
- Team Trainer
Gordon MacFarlane
- Program Consultant - Mental Performance Coach
Coach MacFarlane is a certified human behavior specialist, NHL mental performance coach, international best-selling author, and former professional hockey player. Learn more about Coach MacFarlane at www.performancemindsetcoach.com
Scouting staff
Dale Sumner
- Midwest Scout
Dale Sumner, a Fargo, ND native grew up playing hockey locally in the area before going to college and eventually joining the United State Air Force. After serving his country, Dale has gone to spend the last 30 years in the commercial banking industry. While working in the banking industry, Dale found himself being pulled back into the game of hockey in the mid 2000s where he served as a liaison to the California Wave Youth Hockey Program as well as the SafeSport Coordinator for the Southern California Amature Hockey Assocation. After spending time with the California Wave organization, Dale became the assistant GM and head scout for a Tier 2 Junior A team in the SIJHL, the Thief River Falls Norskies. Today, Dale remains in the banking industry as well as the assistant GM of the Norskies, and is proud to be scouting for the Ice Mavericks Program in the Midwest United States.
Greg Gatto
- Southeast & Canadian Scout
Greg Gatto, a Calgary, AB native grew up playing AAA hockey locally in Calgary before being signed to the Olds Grizzlys of the AJHL when he was 16 years old. After one season with Olds Grizzlys, Greg signed with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League (WHL) where he played two seasons with four different teams in the WHL before attending the University of Lethbridge where he played four seasons. Once Greg graduated from college, Greg went on to play 8 years of professional hockey before hanging up the skates. Greg then began his coaching career where he has coached at the professional level, collegiate level, and most recently the NAHL level. Today, Greg owns high performance hockey, a player agency/advisory that provides players and their families with guidance and representation so that players have the best opportunity to succeed on and off the ice. Greg is excited to be a part of the Ice Mavericks scouting staff as he believes the Ice Mavericks program is a game changer for youth hockey players in North America.
Dan Hodge
- Northeast Scout
Dan Hodge, a native of Melrose, MA grew up playing AAA hockey in the greater Boston area. After a successful youth career, Dan moved on to play junior hockey in the USHL for the Omaha Lancer where he was a standout defenseman. After a successful junior hockey campaign, Dan went on to play college hockey at Merrimack College where he was once again a vital part of their defensive core. For Dan's efforts, he was drafted by the Boston Bruins following in his father's footsteps. Dan went on to play nine seasons of professional hockey between AHL, ECHL, IHL and CHL levels. At the conclusion of Dan's playing career, Dan stepped directly into coaching at the professional level before moving into the junior ranks. Today, Dan is the head coach & general manager of the Twin City Thunder of the NCDC and the Northeast player scout for the Ice Mavericks program.
Administrative Staff
Karen Diffee
- Accounting
- Accounting@icemavericks.com
Steven Thorpe
- Marketing Coordinator
Tracey Hotchkiss
- Host Family Support
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