Assistant Director of Hockey Operations / Director of Girls Hockey

Originally from the Metro Detroit area, Craig grew up playing youth hockey in Michigan within the Detroit Little Caesars organization.  Following a successful junior hockey career, he played four (4) years of college hockey at Eastern Michigan University.

Craig is a USA Hockey Certified Level 4 coach; his background includes being a former Head Hockey Instructor for Maximum Development Hockey based out of Windsor, Ontario Canada, coaching numerous Southeast Elite AAA select teams and coaching within the Junior Everblades organization for over 15 years, winning multiple state championships.   Craig resides in Estero, Florida with his wife Amy, son Cayden (10), who plays for the Florida Alliance 10U AAA team and the Junior Everblades 10U AA team and daughter Sophia (14), who currently plays for the Florida Alliance Girls 14U Tier 1 AAA team.   

Originally from Montreal, Charlie played over 900 games professionally around the globe over his 17-year career, including the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers. 

Charlie has coached numerous Southeast Elite AAA teams throughout the years, bringing home many championships.  Additionally, Charlie is the Head of Academics for TPH, Estero.

Originally from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, Gilles Richard is the current Vice-President of Hockey Operations for Southeast Elite Hockey.  The former Director of Hockey Operations for the Jacksonville Ice and Sports Complex, Gilles is no stranger to youth hockey.  Gilles was the Lead Hockey Instructor for National Hockey Development for 4 years.  Having been a professional player, coach, and instructor for over 15 years, Gilles has been able to help continue to grow youth hockey programs across the state of Florida. Through United States Ice Rink Association Gilles has acquired his Hockey Director Certificate, Human Resources Management Certificate and Programming, Marketing and Promotions Certificate. Gilles is a Level 4 Hockey Coach with USA Hockey.

Gilles’ professional career includes:

• General Manager of the Augusta RiverHawks of the SPHL (2009)
• General Manager of the Jacksonville Barracudas of the SPHL (2004-2009)
• Played in 5 leagues over the course of his professional career
• Played in the Sunshine Hockey League; Southern Hockey League; ECHL; Atlantic Coast Hockey League; and the World Hockey Association 2
• St. Thomas University Graduate (Fredericton, NB, Canada) on an Athletic Scholarship

gilles@southeastelitehockey.com

• 4 years of Major Junior in the OHL
• 2013-current Head Coach of the 2005 AAA Florida Alliance/Southeast Elite Program
• 1998 Championship and Playoff MVP
• Three (3) time All-Star
• 11 years in professional hockey in the AHL, ECHL, and Europe
• SON CONNOR IS NOW PLAYING IN THE USHL (WATERLOO BLACKHAWKS)

Coach Ernie's interest in athletic performance development stems from his extensive career competing in ice hockey.  After a life-threatening hockey injury suffered at 18 years of age with a prognosis that he may never be able to play the game again, his passion for hockey and his desire to succeed expectations fueled his rehabilitation and lead him to become an all-rounded athlete who has garnered respect from coaches and players on all levels.

During his four years of collegiate play for the Miami OH Redhawks (CCHA), he received the Terry Flannagan Humanitarian Award recognizing Ernie's strong character and leadership skills both on and off of the ice.

Having played over a decade in the ECHL including four seasons playing at the AHL level (Worcester IceCats, Grand Rapids Griffins, Lowell Lock Monsters, and Rochester Americans), his eight seasons with the Florida Everblades culminated in the team Captain having his iconic #9 jersey retired.

Coach Ernie's leadership, motivational skills, training skills, and exceptional training ethics bring exciting elements to Southeast Elite Hockey.

Paul, originally from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with teams such as Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and the Colorado Avalanche.  Paul is currently the Hockey Director for the Miami Toros Hockey Program, where he brings an extremely high level of playing and coaching experience to the Kendall Ice Arena.

Paul's professional career includes:

• 15-year professional hockey career
• Played in over 1,000 games in the NHL, AHL, Swedish Elite League, Finnish National League and more
• Private hockey instructor with Saveology.com Iceplex team
• Former Assistant Coach for the Florida Everblades (ECHL) during the 09-10 season
• Currently the Director of Hockey Operations at TPH Ft. Lauderdale

Steve Lynch has been coaching ice hockey for over 20 years.  As an instructor and Director for the Huron Hockey Schools at a young age, Steve has been very fortunate to be able to work side by side with some of the best coaches in the business.  Steve also served as Coaching and Program Director for the NJ Devils Youth Hockey Club before becoming the Program Director for the Florida Golden Wolves, where he has served for the past 11 years.  In that time he has been instrumental in helping change the face of hockey in Florida.

Steve has served on the SAHOF Board of Directors since 2003, has been a Head Coach and Evaluator for the USA Player Development Program, and has made five appearances at the USA Hockey National Championships which includes bringing the first National Championship to the Southeast District and the State of Florida.

Al grew up and was raised in small-town Manitoba and played all levels of minor and senior hockey.  Al went on to a successful financial career before building and operating his own ice rink in Lithia, Florida.  Al has coached youth hockey for the last 9 years and is a level 5 USA Hockey coach.  AL has attended many coaching seminars and clinics around North America. 

Currently, Al is an Assistant Coach of the 05 AAA Florida Alliance Elite team. 

Al lives in Lithia, Florida with his wife and son. 

SON NATE WAS DRAFTED BY MISSISSAUGA IN THE 2021 OHL DRAFT

Marc's experience as a professional Triathlete and coach with Team USA brings an understanding of the whole body and the athlete to the Ice.  Marc was a professional Triathlete for over 10 years.  His accomplishments include over 30 wins across the World, along with competing with Team USA at World Championships.  Marc also has over 20 years in Nutritional Counseling as Clinical Nutritionist.

Marc specializes in the full spectrum of athlete development.  Marc also specializes in Power Skating and using the techniques of dynamic edgework and plyometric while on the ice.  The cornerstone of Marc's approach is focusing on making each hockey player a better athlete. 

Marc uses a basis of skating and skills rather than hockey concepts over systems through proper small area games.  Teaching athletes to learn and how to think, over just going through the motions of drills, brings the best out of each athlete.  Marc believes in helping each athlete to decipher through the plethora of good and misinformation to achieve optimal performance. 

More information about Marc can be found at www.OptimumAthlete.com.

Marc's professional athletic career includes:

• Over 13 years as a Professional Triathlete with 35 overall victories
• 2 Time National Triathlon Team USA
• Oldest Pro to ever compete in Pro World Championship 2006

Marc's hockey experience includes:

• Junior Hockey- Ohio Juniors Collegiate Hockey Ohio University
• Level 5 Masters Hockey Coach
• Private lessons and Camps Specializing in European Power skating
• SON TY WAS DRAFTED AND SIGNED BY THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS IN 2021. 

For 10 years John was the Director of Top Shelf Hockey.  For 5 years John was with N.I.S.T.C as the Hockey Director and for 3 years he was with the Global Hockey School.  John also has coached with the Florida Jr. Panthers and Florida Panthers Hockey Schools for many years.  

John teaches all levels of private and group lessons.  John was the original founding member of the South Florida First Youth Hockey League.  John has two sons who also like to play hockey.

Brian was born and raised in Detroit Michigan. 

Brian's hockey career includes:

• National Hockey League (NHL) Alumni for the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings
• Three-time Stanley Cup Champion
• Played in five Stanley Cup finals during his NHL career
• 2013-current - Coach with the Florida Alliance/Southeast Elite Program
• 2012-current - Coach with the Florida Jr. Everblades 
• Player for the United States men's ice hockey team in three Olympic's (2002, 2006, and 2010)
• Played four years at the University of Wisconsin–Madison

Southeast Elite is proud to announce the Mathieu Garon with be an instrumental member of the Southeast Elite organization as a goaltender instructor.  Mathieu has had a lengthy professional career that spanned over a 14 year period.  During that time he has played for the Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburg Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning.  He also played one season for the Russia Omsk of the KHL.

Throughout his busy professional career, he has also participated in numerous hockey schools around the country.  Mathieu has become a staple in the Tampa area over the last 2 years coaching kids and offering private lessons at Lightning Hockey Schools and Camps, Lightning Community Hockey Development, Lightning Made, Street Lightning, Chase Your Dreams, Future Goals and as a goalie consultant for the Lightning Development Camp. 

Matt was born is Daysland, Alberta and played his Junior Hockey for the Seattle Thunderbirds in the Western Hockey League.  He was selected 31st overall by the Coyotes in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft and played 68 games in the NHL with the Phoenix Coyotes and New York Islanders.  Matt is a great addition to the Southeast Elite team!

Bio Coming Soon!

Rene is originally from Windsor, Ontario, Canada.  He crossed the border often as a youth to play his minor AAA hockey for Detroit Little Caesars.   He then went on to play three (3) years in the USHL for the Des Moines Buccaneers and the Chicago Steel.  Following a successful junior career, Rene played four (4) years of NCAA Division 1 hockey at the University of Amherst, Lowell.  Additionally, he played over 40 games of Professional Hockey in the ECHL.    

Rene is currently the Co-Head Coach of the Junior Everblades 10UAA team.

Bio Coming Soon!

Bio Coming Soon!

Bio Coming Soon!

Photo Coming Soon!