16U Coaching Staff for 2026-2027 Season
January 8, 2026—The Rochester Jr. Americans today introduced head coaches for the 16U (2010 birth year) teams in the upcoming 2026-2027 season. These experienced coaches bring a wealth of hockey knowledge, local roots, and an ongoing commitment to player development to the organization.
16U AAA TB Head Coach: Alex Economides
Coach Economides returns as head coach of our 2010 players. A coach with the Jr. Amerks organization since 2018, Economides has played a vital role with our 13U-18U AAA teams, showcasing his ability to guide and develop our young athletes at the highest levels of competition. Economides is also a coach for Penfield High School hockey. His coaching accolades include leading the Oswego women’s club hockey team to a club championship in 2016.
Next season, the 16U AAA team will feature a 50+ game independent Tier I AAA schedule, five tournaments including the USHL America Cup for maximum exposure, a high school friendly split season, and New York State 16U Tier I tournament eligibility. The season includes a 4-day training camp at Rochester Ice Center, three weekly practices, weekly skills clinics, video analysis, goaltender clinics, off-ice training, and team building events.
16U AA1/AAA Head Coach: Austin Szczesniak
Coach Szczesniak returns to coach the 16U AA1/AAA Jr. Amerks team after a successful first season. A Henrietta native, Szczesniak had successful youth hockey and high school hockey careers, advancing to play junior hockey with the USPHL’s Rochester Monarchs. Szczesniak emphasizes mentoring players on and off the ice, focusing on hockey IQ and skill development. A University at Buffalo graduate, he works in corporate finance.
The 16U AA1/AAA team will play a high school friendly split season, and compete in a 50+ game schedule against high-end AA and lower AAA teams. The team will attend four tournaments, including out-of-town showcases in Boston, Cleveland, and Detroit. The season includes a 3-day training camp, two weekly practices, bi-weekly skills clinics, goaltender clinics, bi-weekly off-ice training, and team building events.
16U AA2 Head Coach: Steve Bottoni
Coach Bottoni returns after working with the 2010 group for the past five seasons. He has served as an assistant coach for McQuaid Jesuit High School for 20 years and coached various AAA and youth teams in the area. A Rochester native, Bottoni played at McQuaid Jesuit, Monroe Community College, and University of Rochester.
The 16U AA2 team will play a high school friendly split season with 40+ games primarily in the Western New York Amateur Hockey League, tournaments, two weekly practices, bi-weekly skills clinics, goaltender clinics, off-ice training, and team building events.
16U AA3 Head Coach: Jeff Renelt
Coach Renelt returns with over eight seasons coaching in the Jr. Amerks organization. He holds a Level 5 Master Coaching Certification and USA Hockey Bronze Goalie Coach status. Renelt’s coaching philosophy focuses on skill development, teamwork, character, and resilience.
The 16U AA3 schedule team mirrors AA2 with a split season of 40+ games in the WNYAHL, two weekly practices, bi-weekly skills clinics, goaltender clinics, off-ice training, and team building events.
Families with interest in joining our Jr. Amerks 16U teams next season may complete our Player Interest Form. For more information about the Rochester Jr. Americans or the 2026-2027 season, visit www.jramerks.com.
