10U Elite - Cobina Delaney

The Penguins Elite are proud to welcome Cobi to the program. Cobina is a former NCAA Division 1 player for Robert Morris University (2009-2013).  She was also an assistant coach with the Nepean Junior Wildcats of the Provincial Women's Hockey League for two seasons (2013-2015).

10U Black - TBA announced before the end of tryouts

12U Elite - Abby Greenbaum

Abby returns as head coach of the 12Us for the third season and five of the last six years.  Abby has coached nearly every girl in the organization and at 12U lays the groundwork for Tier 1 level hockey.  The 12Us were among the highest ranked team in the organization in 2015-16 and won several tournaments. Abby also assists with a number of the other girls teams, and is a crucial part of our girls program. 

12U Black - Pam Ciardi

Pam is returning as the head coach of the 12U Black team. In the past, Pam has served as a head and now the current assistant coach at Shadyside Academy.  She is committed to helping the develop the girls to move onto Tier 1 hockey in the future!

2007 Elite - Brad Michalski

Last year Brad coached the 2006 Black team to a very successful season. Before that, Brad had been a coach of the Milwaukee Jr. Admirals – Boys and Girls Divisions, and Skills Coach. He also owns and operates a youth hockey training company.  Early in his hockey career, Brad was one of the original Pittsburgh Hornets while helping to build the travel program and growing amateur hockey participation in Western Pennsylvania.  His experience led Brad to a successful career in juniors, which included three years in the North American Hockey League, as well as two years professionally. 

2007 Black - Chris Stern

Current Director of Player Advancement for the Pens Elite Chris Stern gets back into a comfortable role for him; coaching. Chris has had success at every age group of youth hockey. His accolades include Tier 1 championships, and coaching teams that participated in USA Hockey National Championships in 8 of his final 11 seasons, including one- 2nd and 3- 3rd place finishes. He has developed players that have attained all levels of success in hockey, including D1, D3, and NHL players. Chris has been active as a scout over the years having worked in both the USHL and NAHL systems.  A native of Western Pennsylvania, he has served as a coach and evaluator for USA Hockey player development camps, and as a presenter at USA Hockey coaching clinics. A life long Pittsburgh native, "Sluggo" finished his playing career at Duquesne, and is also a practicing attorney.  

2006 Elite - John Mooney

John played junior hockey in Thornhill, Ontario as well as attended Colorado College on a full hockey-scholarship.  He was selected to the 1991 USA Olympic festival. He also played in the ECHL for the Johnstown Chiefs and the CHL for the Memphis Riverkings.

John has been coaching for the past 20 years where he led Serra Catholic High School to three State Championships. He was selected as the Coach for the Team Pittsburgh high school showcase. In 2010, he was the Coach of the u14 Penguins Tier 1 Elite League National Champions. For the past eight 8 seasons, he has been a Coach of the Keystone State Games.

2006 Black - Tim Veach

Tim is in his eleventh season coaching hockey. Last year he led the 2005 Black team to a much improved season. Prior to joining the Pens Elite, where he was an assistant for the 2000 and 2001 teams, Tim was an assistant coach at the University of Kansas (ACHA) and a Head Coach at West Allegheny (AA) where he coached the team to its first Penguin’s Cup Championship and first appearance in the PA State Championship Game in 2012. Tim grew up playing hockey in Pittsburgh, and following high school played at the University of Kansas (ACHA).

2005 Elite - Tim Recio

Tim grew up in the Pittsburgh area and attended Central Catholic High School before leaving to play prep school hockey in New England for his junior and senior year. He also played his junior and college hockey in New England. After college he played professionally in North America and overseas. Recently he was a member of the Fayetteville FireAntz of the Southern Original Hockey League before coming to Pens Elite. This past season Tim coached the 16U Pens Elite team after retiring from pro hockey in the fall of 2015. 

2005 Black - Patrick Hammonds

A north Pittsburgh native, Patrick Vero Hammonds is in his fifth year coaching hockey. Prior to joining the Pens Elite, he was the Head Coach and Director of Development for the Butler Varsity Golden Tornado Hockey Association. He is a two time PIHL All-Star head coach and his team became the first in the organization's history to play for the PIHL Penguin's Cup Championship. Patrick also has extensive background in athlete strength & conditioning training and nutrition. 

2004 Elite - Graham Harkins

Graham is entering his fifth season behind the bench with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite. Last season he led the 15U team to the 11th ranking in the nation, while coping with numerous call ups to the 16U team and injuries. He has also served on the coaching staff of the Pine-Richland varsity team. Graham played amateur hockey for the North York Rangers, Pittsburgh Hornets, and Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins. He attended Gettysburg College where he graduated as the programs leading scorer amongst defensemen, served as team captain, and was a 3-time all-conference selection

2004 Black - TBA before the end of tryouts

2003 Elite - Ray Conway 

Conway coached AAA hockey in Pittsburgh for the last nine years with the Pittsburgh Hornets and Pittsburgh Penguins Elite.  The 2015-16 season was spent with the 2005s, and included an NHL Youth Cup championship, among other accolades. Conway had previously coached the 2004s for two seasons. Ray also serves as Head Coach at Upper St. Clair High School.

2003 Black - TBA before the end of tryouts

2002 Elite - Milo Cermak

Milo has coached AAA hockey for the past twelve years including stints with the Youngstown Phantoms, Pittsburgh Amateur Penguins, Pittsburgh Hornets and Pittsburgh Penguins Elite.  Milo, originally from the Czech Republic represented his country on the u20 National team and played professionally for 7 years in the Czech League as well as in the ECHL and WCHL.

2002 Black - Ryan Tessmer

Coach Tess played juniors for the Syracuse Stars in the Ontario Provincial League before entering Ohio University, where he was a member of the Bobcats for four seasons. Tess coached the 2002 Black last season, and was a key factor in their continued progression as individuals and as a group. Previously, coach Tess had joined the Pens Elite as an assistant with the 2000 team.