Meet a Selection of our 2023-2024 Coaches:

16U Coach Kyle Laughlin  

Kyle joins the Black Bears with an extensive playing and coaching resume. After playing his youth hockey throughout the Maryland youth hockey network, he went on to play three seasons of Junior A hockey in the USHL and NAHL before attending Providence College (NCAA Div. 1 Hockey East), where he was a 2-time team Captain. Upon graduation, Kyle finished his playing career over the following 4 years playing in various North American minor professional leagues (ECHL, CHL).

Kyle quickly transitioned to coaching college hockey at SUNY Oswego (NCAA Div. 3, SUNY) as an assistant coach where he helped guide the Lakers to a Frozen Four appearance and three consecutive years with the nation’s top power play percentage. Kyle returned to coaching youth hockey, spending his time working with various Tier 1 and Tier 2 clubs in the Maryland area.

 

16U Coach Dave Petrick

Dave Petrick has been a head coach within the Junior Black Bears organization for 5 years.  He has been involved with the sport for over 30 years.  At the youth level in Pennsylvania, Dave played for the Lancaster Firebirds organization, was the captain of his high school team (where one of his teammates went on to win the NCAA Frozen Four with Michigan State), and played club-level hockey at the University of Pittsburgh while earning a degree in Electrical Engineering.  Dave also has a background in endurance training that he leverages to condition players for the sport of ice hockey.  Coach Petrick has a strong work ethic and expects the same from his players.

 

16U Coach Paul Barton

Coach Paul started playing hockey at the age of 6 in the CBHL and has played and/or coached ever since. Paul played Tier 2 hockey through midgets and then continued to coach and play at various levels. Paul has been fortunate to play for and coach teams that have faced strong local and international competition to include Canada, Czech Republic and Sweden. In addition to the tactical and strategic points of the game, Paul values building player’s athletic capabilities that align to the game.  Paul owns an athletic performance center that allows him to apply hockey focused on and off ice training methodologies to aid in player development.

 

16U Girls Coach Sean O’Connor

Sean learned to play hockey as a kid in Massachusetts but never played organized hockey until moving to Maryland and joining the then Chesapeake Bay Chiefs at Piney Orchard.  He then played for Coach Nelson at the Gardens Ice House. Once his youth hockey days ended he joined the local adult leagues where he still plays.  

He started coaching at Piney several years ago when his own daughters picked up the sport.   He loves being able to give back to the hockey community at the same place that he played.  He has coached several coed teams from U10 to U14 and currently coaches the girls U16 team.   He is excited to see the growing girls hockey community and looks forward to continuing to help build the girls program for the Junior Black Bears.  

 

14U Coach Jacob Krampf 

Coach Jake Krampf is entering his fifth season as a head coach with the Jr Black Bears continuing a long legacy with the Nelson Hockey organization. He played 12 seasons with Nelson Hockey beginning with Learn-to-Skate and progressing through U18AA. 

After finishing his U18AA season, Coach Krampf went on to play four years of ACHA collegiate hockey at Salisbury University. While at Salisbury Coach Krampf was selected to play on the BRHC Conference All-Star Team as a freshman, was a captain on a top-10 ranked team in the Southeastern Region, and was selected First-Line All-Conference in his senior year.

Coach Krampf has had the pleasure of playing and coaching with his mentor and father, Bill Krampf, who has been an Associate Coach-in-Chief with USA Hockey’s Southeastern District since 2008 and has been an instructor in the USA Hockey's Coaching Education Program since 2002.

 

14U Coach Bill Krampf

Coach Bill Krampf has been a hockey coach at every level from Mite Recreation to ACHA collegiate hockey. Coach Krampf was the University of Maryland ACHA Division 2 head coach from 2010-2015. In 2012-2013 he was named the ACHA Division II Southeastern District Coach of the Year, a result of leading the Terps to their first trip to the ACHA Division II Nationals. In 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 he was named the ACC Hockey League Coach of the Year leading the Terps to back-to-back ACC championships.

Prior to coaching at Maryland he was an instructor and head coach with the Metro Maple Leafs (now Junior Black Bears) in Odenton, MD for thirteen seasons coaching Mite Recreation up to U18AA and served as the organization’s Coaching Director for the 2009-2010 season before leaving for the University of Maryland.

Coach Krampf has been involved with USA Hockey since 2002. He is currently an Associate Coach-in-Chief for USA Hockey’s Southeastern District, a position he has held since 2008. From 2002 through present he has been an instructor with USA Hockey’s Coaching Education Program. Beginning in 2019, Coach Krampf volunteered to support the Goaltending Development Program under USA Hockey and is currently a Goaltending Development Lead for the Southeastern District. 

Coach Krampf is a lifelong goaltender and continues to enjoy playing the game. He can be found between the pipes (or trying to teach himself to play forward) in various men’s league games in the area. His biggest thrill is getting the chance to play with his son and players he coached from his Metro Maple Leafs and University of Maryland teams.

 

14U Coach Brad Haley

Coach Brad Haley was born in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada where he played 3 seasons in the Great Lakes Jr C league for the Mooretown Flags and played his minor hockey in Mooretown, Ontario. 

Coach Haley began coaching in 2016 at the 8U Cross-Ice level and has since worked his way up through 16U. During his time with Nelson Hockey, Coach Haley has been instrumental in creating our first girl’s program. Coach Brad also volunteers with Give It a Shot, power skating, skills clinics and spring hockey.

Coach Haley continues to enjoy playing the game and can be found on the blue line in various men’s league games in the area.  His biggest thrill is getting the chance to give back to the hockey community by helping promote and teach the game he knows and loves to various age groups and skill levels.

 

14U Coach Kevin Potter 

Coach Kevin Potter grew up playing ice hockey at the A and AA level for the Chesapeake Bay Chiefs as well as AAA with ProStart Hockey. He played in both the CBHL and DVHL and competed in several All-Star games, USA Hockey Regional Championships, and was selected to tryout with the USA Hockey National 14U team. Kevin also played roller hockey for the Bay Skates in the summer and his team earned a spot to play for the National title. Sadly, he and his teammates couldn't attend the tournament because the parents agreed they weren't paying to go to Minnesota for ROLLER hockey! 

Being that his father used to be the general manager of Piney Orchard Ice Arena, Kevin lived a "rink rat" childhood and grew up around the game of ice hockey and the Washington Capitals (Piney Orchard was their practice facility in the 90s). Those childhood experiences at the rink are really where he developed a huge passion and love for the game. Currently, Coach Kevin Potter resides in Odenton and has been Head Coaching with Nelson Hockey since 2016. He is a level 5 USA Hockey certified coach. Most recently, he coached the 12U White Junior Black Bears, winning multiple tournaments and competing in both the CBHL and AHF championship playoffs. 

 

12U Coach Darren Hercher

Darren Hercher is a current coach for the Junior Black Bears organization at Piney Orchard Ice Arena. He played roller hockey in his youth and transitioned to ice hockey at the age of 19. He then played club level at UMBC for 2 years before graduating. Darren has a daughter, Aubrey, he has coached for 7 years. Currently he coaches his daughter on two teams and also plays on an adult ice hockey team in his spare time. Along with hockey, Darren enjoys soccer, mountain bike riding and spending time with his family.

 

12U Girls Coach Rob Harrity

Rob grew up in western PA and was a product of the PIHL through high school.  After high school he went on to play college club hockey at the University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown campus.  After college Rob returned to his high school and served as an assistant coach in the high school program for 5 years with a trip to the PIHL finals in his final year on the coaching staff.  Currently a USA Hockey Level 4 certified coach.  Coach Rob will be entering his 7th year of coaching within the Nelson Hockey Association.  Looking forward to helping the girls program at JBB become a premiere program in our regional area

 

10U Coach Garrick Bartlett

Garrick Bartlett, whose family hails from western Michigan, is a lifelong hockey player who played through high school before joining the Army in 2004. Between deployments, he continued playing for his post and local leagues, and decided to get involved in youth hockey after his kids expressed interest in the sport. He is in his third season coaching with the Junior Black Bears, second as a head coach. Coach Garrick is an Army instructor and strength and conditioning coach, who utilizes his background in fitness to encourage hard work, discipline, and a will to win. 

 

8U Coach Dan Collins

Dan was born and raised in the Bowie, MD area and has been playing hockey since he was 5 years old. He has known Nelson for over 30 years and has worked in various roles with Nelson hockey over the years including running summer camps, refereeing, and coaching.  He attended DeMatha High School where he was part of a team who won 3 state championships and Dan was awarded Washington Post All Met Player of the Year during his senior year. He played Junior hockey and then went on to play at the University of Delaware and now enjoys playing for fun with local men’s league teams. Dan enjoys coaching kids to learn foundational hockey skills, build friendships with their teammates, and most of all have fun. Dan currently lives in Piney Orchard with his wife Jessi, son Wesley and black lab Bandit. 

 

8U Coach Dan Leach 

Coach Dan has been coaching Mites for the past 3 years. He aims to teach the kids the love of the game and create a strong bond between teammates in addition to improving their hockey skills. Dan played hockey for DeMatha High School under Coach Nelson and continues to play in adult leagues when possible.

When not on the ice, Dan is a machinist for a government contractor. He is also an Assistant Coach for youth baseball.

 

8U Coach Chris Chambers 

Former Professional Hockey player Chris Chambers comes to the Junior Black Bears with a well cultivated background in the game. Chris is a local product of the DMV. Chris played locally at Piney Orchard with Coach Nelson before beginning his journey through Junior Hockey, College and Pro. Chris went to Plymouth State University where he is still the 3rd all time leading point scorer in school history. Chris earned the prestigious award of ESPN academic all American, and Mascac player of the year his senior year, this led to his first pro contract with the Minnesota Wilds affiliate Johnstown Chiefs. Chris would go on from there to win an SPHL championship with the Mississippi Surge. He would continue his professional career with fellow Junior Black Bears Coach Kyle Laughlin as linemates on the Bloomington Blaze in the CHL. Following his playing career Chris Coached Team Maryland's U18 AAA program. Chris has a history and track record of developing kids from the DMV to perform at NCAA programs and beyond.

 

8U Coach Sam Bolin

Coach Sam Bolin was born and raised in Maryland.  As an adolescent he participated in general recreational sports, but did not start playing hockey until 2011.  After high school, Sam joined the Marine Corps where he supported KC-130 efforts from 2004-2007. In 2008, he returned to Maryland to attend the University of Maryland. Sam learned to play hockey through the adult league system and through attending many of Coach Nelson’s training sessions. His philosophy in coaching young athletes is centered around hard work, discipline, team concept, and having fun!  

 

Special Advisor Goalie Coach Kyle Bates

Kyle is a USA Hockey Level V Coach with the Gold Goaltending endorsement. Additionally, he is a USA Hockey Goalie Development Leader (GDL) here in Maryland, where he works developing goalies and their parents, from the age of 8 through to adulthood.

Kyle has played the position for over forty years. Starting as a Mite in Western New York, he played hockey in the Buffalo area until spending two years playing NJCAA for Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, New York.

In the mid-1980s, Kyle started his coaching career as a youth coach, but it was not until 2012 that he began working with young goaltenders when his son decided to take up the position.

Finally, when Kyle is not on the ice, he is the Paramedic Program Director in the Department of Emergency Health Services, where he is a clinical assistant professor.

 

Special Advisor Coach Brad Howingtown

Brad Howington discovered ice hockey as a 12 year old and immediately fell in love with the sport.  He played travel hockey with Nelson Hockey’s Metro Maple Leafs then Junior Hockey with the Washington Junior Nationals and the Frederick Freeze.  Finally, he played club hockey at Salisbury University. After graduation, he returned to the area and started coaching youth teams with Metro/Maryland Jr. Black Bears.  Six years ago he became a certified official and currently works as an official locally for SHOA.  He also officiates at the Professional and NCAA level. 

 

Special Advisor Coach Greg “Ziggy” Zieglar 

Coach Ziggy’s hockey experience began in 2001 when he participated in Nelson Hockey’s Learn to Play program. He fell in love with the sport and spent the next 10 years playing for the Metro Maple Leafs. He then spent two seasons with the Central Penn Panthers of the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League followed by two seasons of ACHA Division II hockey at UMBC. Coach Ziggy returned to his roots and has coached and volunteered with Nelson Hockey for the past decade. He currently provides private power skating and skills sessions for players looking to up their game. 

 

18U Coach Will Johnston

Originally from Picton, Ontario, Canada, Coach Will has lived in Maryland for over 20 Years. He graduated from Long Reach High School and played his youth hockey at Howard Huskies as well as Long Reach’s Varsity team. Will currently resides in Ellicott City, where he runs his own company – Johnston Door Services that is based in Columbia.  

Coach Will started coaching at Long Reach High School and the Howard Huskies in 2010-2011. He then moved on to Mount Saint Mary’s University and then to Catholic University. Will spent a total of 8 years at Catholic University; 2 years as an Assistant Coach and 6 years as Head Coach. Over the 6 years as a Head Coach, he won a DVCHC championship in 2018-19, and again in 2019-20 along with back-to-back Coach of the Year awards for both of those seasons.