work with the best
The Jr. Amerks are dedicated to helping players grow their skills and love for the game. Through our partnership with the Rochester Ice Center, our experienced coaching staff provides top-tier instruction to support player development at every level. Meet the coaches shaping the future of Jr. Amerks hockey.
Francois Methot
A native of Montreal, Quebec, François Methot brings elite-level hockey expertise to the Rochester Jr. Americans. A 3rd-round NHL draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 1996, Methot honed his skills in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) before launching a 17-year professional playing career. Methot spent five seasons with the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League (AHL), where he appeared in 334 regular season games and 39 Calder Cup playoff contests. After a successful career in Europe, he retired following the 2014-2015 season.
Since retiring, Methot has dedicated himself to player development, specializing in skating and skill instruction. He has trained extensively under renowned power skating coach Boris Dorozhenko, whose methods have shaped NHL stars like Auston Matthews. Methot now brings these advanced techniques and a passion for player growth to Rochester, helping players of all ages elevate their skating, puck handling, and overall hockey performance.
Coach Methot’s focus on innovative skill development makes him a key resource for young athletes aspiring to reach their full potential.
Alyssa Sleasman
Alysa Sleasman brings extensive playing and coaching experience to the Rochester Jr. Americans. She serves as the Assistant Coach for the Jr. Amerks NAHL team and is the lead instructor for the Jr. Amerks' weekly skills development clinics, helping players refine their game throughout the season.
Raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, Sleasman made history as one of the first women from Raleigh to become a professional ice hockey player. She played NCAA Division I hockey at Cornell University, where she tallied 89 points over her four-year career, contributing to four ECAC championship teams. Sleasman served as assistant captain her junior year and co-captain her senior year, showcasing her leadership both on and off the ice.
In 2015, Sleasman joined the Boston Pride of the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL), earning selection to the league’s inaugural All-Star Game and helping the Pride capture the first-ever Isobel Cup championship.
After retiring from professional hockey, Sleasman was hired by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2019 to lead women’s hockey initiatives and grassroots development programs. She designed and implemented season-long training curriculums focusing on technical and tactical skills.
Sleasman’s passion for developing players and her dedication to advancing hockey at all levels make her an invaluable part of the Jr. Amerks organization.
HARRISON LUCE
Harrison Luce joined the Rochester Jr. Americans in 2024, focusing on the 8U program while working with players across all Jr. Amerks teams. A native of London, Ontario, Luce played for the London Jr. Knights, competed in Jr. B and Jr. A leagues, and won a New England Prep Championship with Salisbury School in 2014.
Luce began coaching with Total Package Hockey and Progressive Hockey Development before joining the Vegas Golden Knights in 2020. As Youth Hockey Manager, he led programs like NHL Learn to Play and NHL Breaking the Ice and worked closely with the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights as a head coach, helping advance the program over four seasons.
Coming from a hockey family with deep roots in the game, Luce brings valuable experience and a passion for player development to the Jr. Amerks, helping young athletes grow their skills and love for hockey.
dave maksymiu
Dave has dedicated nearly 30 years to coaching and skill development in the Rochester area, working with players of all ages to elevate their game. A USA Hockey Level 5 Master Coach, Dave has led and coached numerous Jr. Amerks teams, including many AAA squads, while guiding all four of his sons through the Jr. Amerks program.
With experience spanning over 50 teams at levels ranging from Mite to Junior A and college, Dave has been instrumental in developing players both on and off the ice. He has taught over 50,000 private lessons and worked with hundreds of thousands of players during his career. His accolades include six State Championships and three National Championships as both a player and coach.
Dave’s playing career began in Michigan, where he won a National Championship with the Little Caesars program before continuing at the collegiate level in Division I and III hockey and two seasons of professional minor league hockey. Beyond the rink, Dave has been a USA Hockey Select Festival Head Coach and Goaltending Coach and a featured speaker at USA Hockey Coaching Certification seminars.
For over five years, Dave has been teaching with the Jr. Amerks program, bringing expertise in skating, shooting, puck skills, goaltending, and game situations. Most importantly, he excels in building players’ confidence and fostering a lifelong love for hockey.
David Powlowski
A native of Rochester, NY, David Powlowski has been working with Jr. Amerks players in skills sessions for the past two seasons and serves as an assistant coach for the Jr. Amerks NAHL team.
As a Jr. Americans alumnus, David had a standout youth career, winning three New York State titles and earning a Nationals bronze medal at the AAA level. Recognized by NHL Central Scouting in 2012, he was drafted into the USHL before playing three seasons in the NAHL with the Wenatchee Wild, where he served as an assistant captain.
David continued his hockey journey at Nazareth College, leading the team in scoring during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons. He then signed his first professional contract with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL, the Dallas Stars affiliate, and completed his pro career with the Macon Mayhem in the SPHL.
David has transitioned seamlessly into coaching, leveraging his playing experience to develop youth hockey players in Rochester. His expertise and dedication make him a vital part of the Jr. Amerks program, helping players refine their skills and achieve their potential.