10U Girls Team 1
Season Overview:
- Full Season with 50+ Games including tournaments
- Member of Great Lakes Girls Hockey League
- Two team practices per week
- 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
Mitch Stephens served as a volunteer assistant coach for the NCAA DI Cornell men's hockey team for four years before relocating from Ithaca to Rochester with his family.
Stephens previously served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, SUNY Geneseo, for five years (2013-18) after spending time in the CHL and overseas in Germany and Italy.
In his time behind the bench at Geneseo, Stephens helped the Knights win two SUNYAC conference championships (2016, 2018) and make three NCAA tournament appearances (2014, 2016, 2018), including two trips to the national semifinals.
A native of Forrest, Manitoba, Stephens graduated from SUNY Geneseo in 2007 with a degree in business administration following an All-America career with the Knights. As a senior, Stephens was named runner-up for USCHO Division III Player of the Year, while being named an AHCA Division III First Team All-America, and a finalist for the AHCA Sid Watson Memorial Award, given to the NCAA Division III Player of the Year. Stephens finished second in the nation with 55 points and was named the SUNYAC Player of the Year.
Stephens played in all 111 games, finishing ninth on SUNY Geneseo’s career scoring list with 167 points. His 117 assists rank fifth all-time, while he is one of 19 players to score 50 career goals in a Knights sweater.
After graduation, Stephens spent six seasons playing professionally in both the United States and Europe, racking up 371 points on 131 goals and 240 assists across 342 career games
Trevor Sousa is a dynamic life coach and personal development expert with a proven track record of success. With over 15 years of experience as a high school physical education teacher, he has a natural talent for connecting with young people and inspiring them to reach their full potential.
As an Assistant Coach for the Victor Varsity Hockey team, Trevor has demonstrated his ability to lead, motivate, and inspire his players to success. He is also a skilled Girls Varsity Golf Coach, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role, and has been instrumental in helping his team achieve their goals season after season.
Trevor has a solid educational background, with a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education from SUNY Cortland and a Masters in Health Education from Mississippi State University. He uses his extensive knowledge and experience to help his students and athletes develop a strong sense of self-awareness, confidence, and resilience.
Trevor is a devoted family man and values the importance of family in his life. He is dedicated to being a role model for his children and students alike, and his passion for coaching and helping others is evident in his work.
Trevor Sousa is a gifted coach with a unique ability to connect with young people and inspire them to reach their full potential. He is a valuable asset to the Jr. Amerks organization and to anyone who is looking to grow and succeed in their personal and professional lives.
10U Girls Team 2
Season Overview:
- Full Season with 50+ Games including tournaments
- Two team practices per week (Full and shared)
- Skills clinics by RIC Academy & NAHL Jr. Amerks
- 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
Tim Cummings, set to coach the Jr. Amerks' 10U Girls Team 2, lives in Victor with his wife Nicole and daughters Kaitlyn and Adelyn. Working as an Assistant Construction Manager at Wegmans Development Group, Tim brings his engineering skills from RIT to the rink. A lifelong Amerks fan, he learned to skate on a local pond and played for Perinton Youth Hockey from mites through midgets. Tim has contributed to the Doodlebugs program and spent the last two seasons coaching the Jr. Amerks 8U team. He's eager to start the new season, focusing on player development and growing the love for hockey.
12U Tier I Girls (NYS 12U Tournament Bound)
Season Overview:
- Full Season with 50+ Games including tournaments
- Two team practices per week (Full and shared)
- Skills clinics by RIC Academy & NAHL Jr. Amerks
- 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
Elana Eichmann will be leading the Jr. Amerks' 12U Tier I Girls team next season, bringing a strong background in both playing and coaching. She has competed with teams like the Rochester Grizzlies, Rochester Monarchs, Syracuse Nationals, and played four years of DIII hockey at SUNY Cortland. Beyond playing, Elana has coached with the Cortland Flames and ran skills clinics, enhancing her expertise in player development.
Her coaching credentials were further solidified with her involvement in the NYSAHA development camp for 12U-14U girls in Buffalo in the summer of 2023. Elana holds a degree in physical education and special education from SUNY Cortland, with her undergrad completed in 2023 and her master's expected by summer 2024.
A native and current resident of Fairport, Elana's deep local ties and comprehensive educational and playing background make her a perfect fit for fostering growth and excellence in the Jr. Amerks' 12U Tier I Girls team
coach Jeff Lovier
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Coach Lovier has been working with the Jr. Amerks for many years. Jeff has extensive background with coaching youth hockey and served as high school coach with McQuaid Jesuit, Fairport High School, and Spencerport High School.
He is a physical education teacher at Brooks Hill Elementary School in Fairport, where he skated a season for the high school's Red Raiders, before he joined the Rochester Jr. B Americans and later, the Syracuse Jr. A Crunch.
14U Tier I Girls (NYS 14U Tournament Bound)
Season Overview:
- Full Season with 50+ Games
- Tournaments with exposure opportunities with prep schools and college scouts
- New York State Tournament Bound Team
- Two team practices per week (Full and Shared)
- 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
After serving as 2010 AAA/AA head coach for two years, Coach McDonald switched teams to focus on our girls program and has served as head coach the past two season.
He brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to the Jr Amerks. He served as the RIT Women’s Hockey Team Head Coach from 2006-2018. In 12 seasons as head coach at RIT, McDonald compiled an overall record of 205-154-29. He is Division III’s all-time leader with a .835 winning percentage and is RIT’s all-time leader in coaching victories.
A 2000 graduate of Niagara University, McDonald played defense for the Purple Eagles from 1996-2000. He was part of the school’s inaugural freshman and first graduating classes as a Division I program. During his senior year, he helped Niagara, in only its fourth season, to an NCAA Tournament at-large bid. He also helped Niagara to an undefeated season in the College Hockey America conference (15-0-2, 30-8-4 overall), as well as the CHA regular season and tournament titles.
14U Tier II Girls
Season Overview:
- Full Season with 50+ Games including tournaments
- Two team practices per week (Full and shared)
- Skills clinics by RIC Academy & NAHL Jr. Amerks
- 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
Bob DiNicola, with a decade of coaching experience, is set to lead the Jr. Amerks' 14U Tier II Girls team. Originating from Syracuse, Bob's hockey path took him from travel leagues to high school competition, culminating in a successful stint playing Division III college hockey at SUNY Brockport College. This extensive background in hockey has profoundly shaped his coaching approach, prioritizing skill development, teamwork, and a deep love for the game.
Holding a Certified Level 4 coaching certification, Bob has committed the past ten years to developing young players, showcasing a strong dedication to the sport. He lives in Ontario, Wayne County, with his wife, two daughters, and two dogs, embedding his family within the hockey community. Bob's expertise and passion make him a pivotal figure in guiding the 14U Tier II Girls team at the Jr. Amerks
16U Tier I Girls
Season Overview:
- Full Season with 50+ Games
- Tournaments with exposure opportunities with prep schools and college scouts
- New York State Tournament Bound Team
- Two team practices per week (Full and Shared)
- Skills clinics by RIC Academy & NAHL Jr. Amerks
- 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
Ally Gibson, a Webster native, returns with our program next season. Growing up in the area, Ally developed a love for the sport and went on to play four years of college hockey at Stevenson University as a forward. During her time at university, she was also named team captain, showcasing her leadership skills and commitment to the sport.
After completing her college career, Ally took her passion for hockey to the next level by becoming a certified functional strength coach. She uses her expertise to help young athletes improve their skills and reach their full potential on the ice. In addition, she continues to instruct at the Rochester Ice Center Hockey Academy, passing on her knowledge and love of the game to the next generation.
She is dedicated to helping each of her players reach their full potential and is constantly seeking ways to improve her coaching style. Whether working with beginner or advanced players, Ally is committed to helping her players develop a love for the sport and achieve their goals.
Stephen Gionta is returning as coach for the 2024-25 season.
Gionta retired from professional hockey in 2019 after a 14-year professional career. He played in over 750 professional games, including 300 NHL games for the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders. He finished his career with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL and is currently a scout with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
A Rochester-native, Gionta grew up playing hockey in Rochester and then moved on to play for the USA Hockey Development Program team in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He went on to play his college hockey at Boston College.
Coach Gionta is dedicated to girls hockey and hosts a girls hockey summer hockey camp in Rochester each year.
16U Tier II Girls
Season Overview:
- Full Season with 50+ Games
- Two team practices per week (Full and Shared)
- Skills clinics by RIC Academy & NAHL Jr. Amerks
- 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
Valerie Nolan is an integral part of the Jr. Amerks coaching team, with a rich history of guiding youth hockey players from mites to bantams. Her coaching tenure is marked by a strong commitment to both boys' and girls' hockey, demonstrating her adeptness in fostering skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship among young athletes. Valerie's innovative coaching methods and dedication to the sport have made a lasting impact on the Jr. Amerks community, affirming her role in shaping the future of hockey.
19U Girls
co-head coach abby miller
Season Overview:
- Full Season with 50+ Games
- New York State Tournament Bound Team
- Two team practices per week (Full and Shared)
- Skills clinics by RIC Academy & NAHL Jr. Amerks
- 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
Abby Miller, hailing from Webster, N.Y., and a former standout for the Rochester Edge, has been appointed the head coach of the 19U Girls team. With an illustrious playing career that includes being named Second Team All-MAC in her sophomore year and five years at Wilkes University as a defensive player, Miller brings a wealth of experience to her role. Her advice to young aspiring hockey players is simple yet profound: “Enjoy the time you have playing hockey. The time goes by so fast.” This mindset reflects her approach to coaching, emphasizing the joy and fleeting nature of the sport, encouraging her team to cherish every moment on the ice.
Robyn Van Zeilen, originally from Canada and a former player at Acadia University, is the new co-head coach with over 10 years of coaching experience, including work with the Rochester Edge. Renowned as a power skating instructor, she emphasizes skill development, agility, and speed, aiming to elevate her players' performance and potential.