WWFHA proudly announces the placement of John Nogatch as the 14U Rep Tier 2/AA head coach for the 2016 – 2017 season. The 14U Rep team includes players of the highest skill (AAA and AA levels) from the Seattle and surrounding area, with the primary goal of skill development and advancement to the next level, including collegiate play.
Coach Nogatch grew up in Redmond, WA and spent his minor hockey career from ages 5 to 14 with Sno-King Amateur Hockey Association. At the age of 15 he moved to Michigan to play Elite Midget AAA hockey and from there moved to Ontario for his Junior A career. His time in Juniors earned him a scholarship to Division I Lake Superior State University. After graduating, Nogatch moved on to coaching after returning to the Seattle area.
Coach Nogatch’s coaching career began with Sno-King where he worked to develop their PeeWee AA program; that team has since produced three WHL draft picks. From there, Nogatch moved on to the Tier 3 Junior A ranks, handling and developing a new organization. He successfully took the Vancouver organization to conference finals as well as sending two players to the NAHL--a huge feat for a brand new program. Coach Nogatch spent two years at the Junior level before returning to Seattle last November for work and back to minor hockey, working to revive the Everett Squirt AA program.
A USA Hockey Level 4 coach, Nogatch welcomes this opportunity and challenge, and he brings an up-tempo, high intensity philosophy to the ice. He plans to focus on speed, puck movement, high level skill development, and more complex team concepts.
Assistant coach Kelsey Young, a Minnesota native who played competitive hockey in Spring Lake Park since the age of 8, joins Coach Nogatch. As captain of her high school team, Coach Young earned an honorable mention award for defensemen her senior year.
During the season, the team practices twice per week, receiving over 60 hours of on-ice practice and 60-70 hours of off-ice conditioning designed by Engineered Sports during the season. This rep team participates in 30+ female league games per season and attends various tournaments in the US and Canada. Various pro-staff, including hockey nutrition experts, well body counselors, foot and ankle care, college admissions advisors, and college hockey process advisors support this team.
Last year the 14U Rep Tier 2/AA won the prestigious PCAHA Bantam Female Division and the Surrey SuperHeart Tournament.
Open tryouts for the 14U Rep Tier 2/AA team will be held July 30 at 5:00 PM and July 31 at 7:30 AM. Registration will be posted soon at: http://www.wwfha.com/14u-rep-aa-tryouts
Find more information about the 14U Rep Tier 2/AA team, such as the team overview, benefits, coaching staff, practices, conditioning, FAQ and more, please visit: http://www.wwfha.com/u14-rep-aa