15U AAA Team (NYS 15O Tournament Bound)
Shawn Wilkins is returning as head coach for the 2009 birth year team. Coach Wilkins is a Level 5 USA Hockey coach and also serves as assistant coach for the Rochester Institute of Technology men’s lacrosse team.
Coach Wilkins played both lacrosse and hockey during his college career at RIT. He played forward and defense for the RIT men’s hockey team, and was a key member of three NCAA Tournament teams, including the 2001 squad that advanced to the national championship game. Coach Wilkins is also one of 14 players in RIT men’s lacrosse history to score 100 career goals (104), and is 16th all-time in scoring with 147 points.
Coach Wilkins played lacrosse professionally for the Rochester Rattlers of Major League Lacrosse and the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League. He also played for the Italian National team in 2006 and was a member of the Canadian Jr. National team in 1996.
Coach Wilkins is a native of Burlington, Ontario, and resides in Penfield with his wife and children.
Season Overview:
- 50+ Games plus tournaments with exposure opportunities for prep schools, juniors, and college scouts
- High School friendly pre/post split season schedule
- New York State 15O Tournament Bound
- Independent Tier I AAA Schedule
- Two team practices per week (Full-ice)
- One Skills clinics by RIC Academy & NAHL Jr. Amerks per week
- Goaltender clinics by New Edge School of Goaltending throughout the season
- Off-ice training with Next Level Strength and Conditioning
- Team building and community service events
15u AA1 Team
Jason Simmons is returning as head coach for the 2009 AA team. He spent three years as an assistant coach with the 2009 AAA team. A native of Buffalo, Simmons grew up playing youth hockey in Buffalo area.
Coach Simmons has more than 20 years of coaching experience at all levels of youth hockey including serving as assistant coach with the nationally ranked Bishop Kearney Selects girls hockey program (2018 - present). Additionally he's served as head coach for several youth hockey teams since 2000, as well as the Wayne Junior Varsity assistant coach (2018-2022).
Season Overview:
- 40+ Games including tournaments
- High School friendly pre/post split season schedule
- Two team practices per month during high school season
- Member of Western New York Amateur Hockey League
- Two team practices per week (Full-ice)
- Skills clinics by RIC Academy & NAHL Jr. Amerks every other week
- Goaltender clinics by New Edge School of Goaltending throughout the season
- Off-ice training with Next Level Strength and Conditioning
- Team building and community service events
15u AA2 Team
Jeff Smith is a well-respected and accomplished coach in the hockey community, who is stepping up to serve as head coach in 2024 after serving as assistant coach. A Rochester native, Jeff honed his skills on the ice from a young age, playing AAA hockey and later showcasing his talent at the prestigious Berkshire School, where he played prep school hockey. Jeff's college career took him from ECAC Division I St. Lawrence University to Wesleyan University, where he played three seasons of varsity hockey.
With years of experience under his belt, Jeff has been a valuable asset to the Jr. Amerks organization, serving as the head coach of the 2006 AAA team and as a lead assistant coach on the 2009 AA team the past three seasons. He has a proven track record of helping players of all ages reach their full potential and has earned the respect and trust of players, parents, and coaches alike.
A proud Canandaigua native, Jeff currently resides there with his wife and two children, and is committed to helping develop the next generation of hockey players in the Rochester area.
Season Overview:
- 40+ Games including tournaments
- High School friendly pre/post split season schedule
- Member of Western New York Amateur Hockey League
- Two team practices per week (Full-ice)
- Skills clinics by RIC Academy & NAHL Jr. Amerks every other week
- Goaltender clinics by New Edge School of Goaltending throughout the season
- Off-ice training with Next Level Strength and Conditioning
- Team building and community service events
15U/16U AA Mixed Age Team
Coach Mike is a seasoned veteran in the world of hockey, with over three decades of experience in playing, officiating, and coaching. He is a proud Rochester native, who developed his passion for the sport while playing in the Rochester Youth Hockey program and shining as a standout player at Greece High School. Mike continued his playing career with the Rochester Junior Americans of the Golden Horseshoe Junior B Canadian Hockey League and culminated his time on the ice with four successful years at Kent State University, where he served as team captain and was recognized as a league all-star.
With a wealth of knowledge and experience, Coach Mike transitioned his focus to officiating and spent over 10 years in the USA Hockey Development Program. He earned a reputation as a skilled official, working NCAA Division I and Division III games for ECAC and Atlantic Hockey, and even officiated several IIHF tournaments, including the 2006 ECAC West DIII Championship game.
Retiring from officiating in 2013, Coach Mike has worked with every age group between mites and midgets as head coach or assistant coach. He has dedicated himself to developing the skills of young hockey players, specializing in powerskating and skill development. He has served as the Director of Travel Hockey for players aged 8U-12U and is the lead coach for the Jr. Amerks American Development Model (ADM) program.
Coach Mike currently resides in Fairport with his wife Julie and their three hockey-loving sons, Jack, Matthew, and Dan.
Season Overview:
- Full Season with 40+ Games including tournaments
- High School friendly pre/post split season schedule
- Member of Western New York Amateur Hockey League
- Two team practices per week (Full ice)
- One Skills clinics by RIC Academy & NAHL Jr. Amerks per week
- Goaltender clinics by New Edge School of Goaltending throughout the season
- Off-ice training with Next Level Strength and Conditioning
- Team building and community service events
Empire house league teams
We will be offering several house teams for the upcoming season, competing in the local Empire Amateur Hockey Conference. Players are born between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2006 are combined in the 18U Midget age group.
Player evaluations are set for early April 2024 to determine team placements. The season kicks off in September, offering young players a fantastic opportunity to develop their skills and compete in a supportive and dynamic environment.