Sunday, December 1, 2024, 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Player Advancement: The Path to College Hockey Webinar
Be there for an invaluable discussion among respected hockey minds who will explain the path for players beyond youth hockey and into the competitive world of college hockey. Special guests representing player and family advising, prep school, junior hockey and college hockey include:
- Mike Pilon, President, Endeavour Sports Group
- Kyle Hanford, Assistant Coach, The Williston Northampton School
- Francois Methot, Head Coach and General Manager, NAHL Rochester Jr. Americans
- Mitch Stephens, Assistant Coach, SUNY Geneseo NCAA Division III Men's Hockey
Key topics include:
- Defining the path from youth hockey to college hockey: There are more ways than one!
- The college recruitment process: When it begins and how to get your player on the map
- Prep school: Is it the right option for my player?
- Understanding the junior hockey landscape
- The role of family/player advisors
This event is for players of all ages. It’s never too soon to learn valuable information about the road ahead! Since the path to college hockey differs for boys and girls, this session will focus on the process for boys.
An open Q&A session will follow the discussion. You can submit your questions ahead of time at registration and we’ll do our best to address them with our guests.
We hope you’ll join us!
mike pilon
President, endeavor sports group
Mike Pilon is the president of Endeavor Sports Group, based in Ottawa, Ontario. A native of Munster, Ontario, he graduated from Brock University with an Honours degree in Physical Education and holds a Master Level Coach certification through USA Hockey.
Mike has extensive experience in player development and advising, having worked with NCAA, USport, ACHA, Junior, Prep, and AAA athletes, as well as numerous NHL players. His coaching career includes roles as an assistant coach at the Junior A level with the Chicago Freeze (NAHL) and Wyoming Outlaws (AFHL), as well as positions with the LA Jr. Kings U18 AAA and University of Ottawa Gee-Gees. He has also served as a regional scout for the U.S. National Team Development Program and evaluator for USA Hockey District Player Selection Camps.
With a strong network in the hockey world, Mike has also consulted for NCAA programs and professional European clubs. His playing career includes five years in Junior hockey and two seasons of Senior A hockey with the Jackson Hole Moose, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the game as both a player and coach.
Kyle Hanford
Assistant Coach, The Williston Northampton School
Kyle Hanford grew up in Rochester, New York, where he played youth hockey with the Jr. Amerks and attended McQuaid Jesuit High School before continuing his education and hockey career at Williston Northampton School. He went on to play collegiate hockey at Hobart College, where he developed as both a player and leader on the ice.
Kyle is an assistant coach for the boys' varsity hockey team at Williston Northampton School, a member of the prestigious New England Prep Hockey League. Competing as an independent team, the program offers top-tier competition and a platform for players to prepare for collegiate and junior hockey. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Kyle is actively involved in scouting and recruiting, working to attract top student-athletes to the program.
Kyle’s deep understanding of the game, combined with his commitment to player development, makes him an integral part of Williston’s hockey tradition, helping players excel both on and off the ice.
Francois Methot
Jr. Amerks General Manager and Head Coach
François Methot, a native of Montreal, Quebec, serves as the Head Coach of the Rochester Jr. Americans NAHL team and the General Manager of the Rochester Jr. Americans youth hockey program. A former professional player with extensive experience, François has dedicated his post-playing career to developing hockey players at every level.
Drafted in the third round of the 1996 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, François began his junior hockey career in the QMJHL with the St. Hyacinthe Lasers, where he led the team in scoring with 94 points as a 17-year-old. He went on to play five seasons with the Rochester Americans (AHL), amassing 334 regular-season games and 39 Calder Cup playoff games. After one season with the Portland Pirates, François enjoyed an 11-year professional career in Germany’s DEL league before retiring in 2015.
Upon retiring, François joined the Rochester Jr. Americans, where he now leads as both NAHL Head Coach and General Manager of the youth hockey program. He has coached at every level within the organization, designing player development programs that have earned him recognition across hockey circles. In addition, he oversees the Rochester Ice Center Hockey Academy, where he trains over 150 players annually. François has participated in prestigious development camps, including the Nashville Predators Development Camp and Power Edge Pro Camp in Toronto, working alongside elite hockey professionals.
Known for his dedication to improving the game and teaching new concepts, François has built a vast network in the NHL, NCAA, junior, and prep hockey levels, making him a cornerstone of the Jr. Amerks program and a driving force in player development.
mitch stephens
Assistant Coach, SUNY Geneseo
Mitch Stephens, currently an assistant coach with NCAA Division III SUNY Geneseo, brings exceptional experience to the Rochester Jr. Americans, where he also has two children in the program. At Geneseo, Mitch has helped guide the Knights to multiple SUNYAC championships and NCAA Tournament appearances, solidifying their place as one of the top programs in Division III hockey.
Before his current role, Mitch spent five years coaching at Cornell University, where he helped the team to two NCAA Tournaments and a #1 national ranking in 2019-20. He worked with NHL players and multiple Division I All-Americans, furthering his reputation as a top-tier developer of talent.
As a player, Mitch was a standout at SUNY Geneseo, earning All-American honors and finishing as a finalist for the NCAA Division III Player of the Year award. He ranks among the program’s all-time leaders in points, with 167 across 111 career games, and led the nation in scoring during his senior season. After graduation, Mitch enjoyed a six-year professional career, accumulating 371 points in 342 games across leagues in the United States and Europe.
With a strong background in playing and coaching at the highest levels, Mitch is a key asset to the Jr. Amerks, contributing his expertise to the development of the next generation of hockey players.
pursue your dreams
Player advancement
For more than 30 years, we've had the opportunity to coach and mentor hundreds of outstanding student-athletes, who have gone on to play hockey at the highest levels.
