COACHES

 Martin Spanhel brings high-level professional experience to the program, having played internationally and in the NHL, including time with the Columbus Bluejacket organization. Known for his strong hockey IQ and skill development focus, Martin emphasizes puck control, situational awareness, and player confidence. His background provides players with a unique perspective on the path to elite hockey. Fun Fact: Martin Spanhel scored the first goal (unofficial) in Columbus Bluejacket history in their inaugural pre-season game.

 David Steckel is a former NHL forward best known for his time with the Washington Capitals and his elite faceoff ability. Steckel is considered one of the best faceoff specialists in NHL history, with a career faceoff winning percentage of 58.35% (ranked 8th all-time among players with at least 500 faceoffs since 2005-06).  With over 400 NHL games played, David brings a deep understanding of the game at the highest level. He focuses on positional play, discipline, and the small details that separate good players from great ones. 

 Peter Broccoli brings a strong playing background and leadership experience to the coaching staff. His time as a Defenseman at The Ohio State University shaped his understanding of team dynamics, accountability, and competitive mindset. Peter focuses on developing well-rounded athletes by emphasizing effort, discipline, and situational awareness, while fostering a team-first culture that prepares players for success both on and off the ice. 

 Luke Pavlas combines his competitive playing experience with a modern approach to skill development. Drawing from his time as a Forward at The Ohio State University, Luke emphasizes edge work, puck control, and speed, helping players translate practice habits into game performance. His high-energy coaching style and attention to detail allow athletes to refine their skills while developing confidence and creativity in all areas of the game. 

 Valerie Marcoux Pavlas is an Olympic-level figure skater who competed internationally in pairs skating for Canada, Val brings elite skating expertise to the program. As the team’s skating coach, she specializes in edge work, stride efficiency, balance, and power generation. Valerie combines her world-class competitive experience with detailed technical instruction to help players improve speed, agility, and control. Her coaching provides athletes with a strong skating foundation that directly translates to higher performance in game situations.