Rocky Mountain Hockey Schools
Staff


RMHS Staff

Staffing Philosophy
First and foremost, our staff members are educators. RMHS instructors are all accomplished coaches, trainers, and teachers who are responsible for youth hockey associations, professional hockey clubs, college clubs, and even third grade classrooms. As a result, we are well trained to be able to listen, observe and talk with each camper to determine what they NEED to work on, and what they WANT to work on. This builds a solid developmental foundation for the rest of the camp and allows us to determine the best way to work with, reach, and educate each of our students on an individual level.

Many camps post decisive student:teacher ratios, even going so far as hiring high school aged players with little or no teaching experience to meet these stated numbers. We take a different approach. We do not believe it is the NUMBER of staff that is important, but the QUALITY of the staff that truly dictates the success of any program. RMHS utilizes its Instructor Training Protocol to train and prepare its staff to teach the RMHS Skill Development Camp Progressions, properly manage all on-ice sessions, and to effectively and individually communicate with each camper. As a result of this commitment, our camps are staffed by Head and Lead Instructors only, all of whom are highly trained, more experienced, and better suited to the management and teaching needs inherent in an RMHS camp.

Join the RMHS Staff!
Please review the staff bios listed below for information on our professional coaching staff. Also, for more in depth information on each staff members title and experience with RMHS, please review our exclusive RMHS Instructor Training Protocol.

Want to become an RMHS Staff Member? Please click HERE to fill out our Staff Application Form. 



BRYAN SMITH, President/Director of Operations
  •  President, RMHS Director of Hockey Operations
  •  Team Rocky Mountain, U16 AAA, Assistant Coach, 2009- current 
  •  Summit High School Head Coach 2004-2007
  •  Team Wyoming, U19, Head Coach 2009
  •  Founder, Summit Hockey Schools
  •  USA Hockey Level 4 Certified coach
  •  USA Hockey Coaching Education Program Instructor
  •  USA Hockey Rocky Mountain District Evaluation Camp Staff
  •  USA Hockey Montana State Evaluation Camp On Ice Evaluator
  •  USA Hockey Colorado State Evaluation Camp On Ice Evaluator 
  •  Former Robby Glantz Powerskating Head Instructor



MIKE GEMPELER
  •  Gustavus Adolphus College, B.A., Management, Education, Coaching 
  •  Player, Dayton Bombers, Knoxville Cherokees, ECHL
  •  University of Denver (WCHA) Video Coordinator, 1999-2002
  •  EV Zug, Switzerland, Pro & Junior Elite Team Powerskating Coach
  •  Founder, Rocky Mountain Hockey Schools
  •  Founder/President, U.S. Junior Development Program
  •  Founder/President, CamperReg Online Camp Management Systems



CHRIS RUHLY
  •  Lawrence University Assistant Coach, 1999-2004
  •  Summit High School, CHASA, Head Coach, 2008-current
  •  RMHS Lead Instructor 1996-Current 
  •  USA Hockey Level 4 Certified coach
  •  Appleton Acceleration Head Instructor
  •  USA Hockey Montana State Evaluation Camp On Ice Evaluator
  •  USA Hockey Colorado State Evaluation Camp On Ice Evaluator 
  •  USJDP Junior Prep Camp Staff



JOHN PARIS, Jr.
  •  Team Rocky Mountatin, U16 AAA, Head Coach, 2009-current 
  •  Restigouche Tigers Head Coach, MJAHL Jr. A 
  •  IMG Hockey Academy AAA Director/Head Coach, 2000-2003
  •  Macon Whoopee, CHL, Head Coach, GM, Vice-President, 1996-2000
  •  Atlanta Knights, IHL, Head Coach/Asst GM, 1993-96
  •  1994 Turner Cup Champions
  •  Nashville Knights, Assistant GM, ECHL, 1990-93
  •  St. Louis Blues, NHL, Scout, 1985-90
  •  Canadian Major Junior Hockey League: 
  •  Head Coach, St. Jean Lynx, 1992
  •  Head Coach/GM, Granby Bison, 1989-92
  •  Head Coach/GM, Trois Rivieres Draveurs, 1987
  •  Assistant Coach/Asst GM, Sorel Black Hawks, 1981-86
  •  Coach, Speaker & Consultant, Swedish Ice Hockey Federation
  •  Coach, Speaker & Consultant, Finnish Ice Hockey Federation
  •  Coach, Speaker & Consultant, French Ice Hockey Federation
  •  Coach, Speaker & Consultant, English Ice Hockey Federation
  •  Quebec U17 Excellency Program, Head Coach/General Manager
  •  1986 & 87 Esso Cup Champions
  •  Quebec Midget AAA Development Program, VP, 1979-87
  •  USJDP Selects Head Coach, Switzerland Tour 2004
  •  USJDP Junior Prep Camp Lead Instructor
  •  RMHS certified Level I Lead Instructor
  •  Former Head Instructor/Director, Mario Lemieux Hockey Schools Director
  •  Former Head Instructor, Okanagan Hockey Schools
  •  Former Head Instructor, Pierre Mondou Canadian Hockey Schools, Montreal
  •  Former Head Instructor, Atlanta Knights Hockey School
  •  Former Head Instructor, Can-Am Hockey Schools Lake Placid



LEWIE KELLIN
  •  RMHS Head Instructor 2005-current
  •  USA Hockey Level 4 Certified coach
  •  Private powerskating instructor 
  •  Lead Instructor for several hockey camps in Minnesota 
  •  USA Hockey Montana State Evaluation Camp On Ice Evaluator



Marty Wakelyn
  • New Islanders, NHL, Goalie, Former
  • RMHS Goaltending Camps, Director of Development, 2009-current
  • Advanced Coaching Certificate Canada
  • National certified coaching Instructor Canada
  • Private Goalie instruction, 25+ years
  • Colorado College, Goalie, All time saves leader
  • Lead RMAHC Goaltending Coach, 2008-current



Jamie Bradford
  • Davenport University, ACHA D2, Assistant Coach, 2004-current (3 time national champions)
  • Camp Director for 10+years in Canada & US for some of the top hockey camps in the world as a skating & skills specialist at all levels and ages
  • Grand Rapids Amateur Hockey Association, skating & skills development director, 2008-current
  • Level IV USA hockey certified coach
  • Jamie has had a decade of individual skating video analysis experience and has trained skating techniques to players at the youth, amateur, college and professional levels



Sean Fish
  • Alaska Avalanche, NAHL Jr. A, Tier II, Assistant Coach, 2009-current
  • USJDP, Head on-ice staff, 2009-current
  • U15 Select National Festival, USA Hockey, Head Coach, 2010
  • Stephens Point, NCAA DIII, player, two time captain



Steven Fletcher
  • Calgary Flames, NHL, Draft Pick, 1980
  • 15 year pro career, NHL, IHL, AHL, & UHL
  • Current AAA assistant coach



ZAC DESJARDINS
  •  San Antonio Diablos, WSHL, Head Coach, 2009-current
  •  Kenai River Brown Bears, NAHL, Assistant Coach, 2008-2009
  •  Restigouche Jr A Tiger, MJAHL, Assistant Coach, 2007-2008
  •  USA Hockey Level 4 Certified coach
  •  Fargo-Moorehead Jets Scout, NAHL 
  •  RMHS Lead Instructor, 1997-present
  •  USA Hockey Montana State Evaluation Camp On Ice Evaluator
  •  USJDP Junior Prep Camp Instructor & Housing Director 
  •  USA Hockey Central District Coaching Clinic Director
  •  USA Hockey Central District Player Development Camp Staff



GRAHAM JOHNSON
  •  Denver Junior Pioneers Youth Hockey Association Director of Player Development (Oct 2007- Jan 2010) 
  • Director of Hockey operations, Providence Predators 2005-2007
  •  RMHS Selects, Recruiter & Coach
  •  Private powerskating instructor 
  •  RMHS Lead Instructor 2002-current
  •  USJDP Junior Prep Camp Instructor
  • Las Vegas THunder, IHL 1999
  • Chicago Freeze, NAHL 1998
  • Brampton Capitals, OPHL 1997-1998
  • Level 4 USA Hockey Instructor
  • USA Hockey Coaching education program instructor 
  • Head Coach Colorado Thunderbirds "AAA" 



Rick Gadwa
  • Robby Glantz Power Skating, Head instructor, 2007-2009
  • Battle Creek Revolution, AAHL pro, player, 2009-2010
  • Davenport University, ACHA D2, (two time national champion), player, 2005-2009
  • Private skating and skills coach, 2005-current



Alex Weisenburger
  • Grand Valley State, ACHA D2, Head Coach, 2009
  • Central Michigan University, ACHA D2, Head Coach, 2005-2007
  • Florida Gulf Coast University, ACHA D2, Head Coach
  • USA Hockey, Level III
  • Camp Director & Owner of several hockey camps across the USA



DAN ROSENTHAL
  •  Missoula Bruins, U16 boys, Head Coach 
  •  Missoula Bruins, Bantam A, Head Coach, 2003-2005
  •  USA Hockey Montana State Evaluation Camp On Ice Evaluator
  •  Missoula Youth Hockey Pre-Season Development Director 
  •  RMHS Head Instructor 2003-current



LANCE WEST 
  •  University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Assistant Coach, CCHA D1, 2007-current
  •  University of Alabama-huntsville Assistant Coach, CHA D1, 1995-2007
  •  RMAHC Lead Instructor



KEVIN WEST 
  •  USA Hockey Montana State Evaluation Camp On Ice Evaluator
  •  Private powerskating instructor 
  •  RMHS Head Instructor 2003-current
  •  USA Hockey Level 4 Certified coach



Ashley Shaidel
  • Union College, ECAC, Assistant Coach, 2006-current
  • Clarkston University, ECAC, Player, All Time Leading Scorer
  • Ohio Flames, player, captain



JOHANNA CAPOZZOLI
  • Sacred Heart University, D1, Assistant Coach
  • Fairfield High School Girls Head Coach 2000-2008
  • U16 Southern Connecticut Head Coach
  • USA Hockey Level 4 Certified coach
  • RMHS Head Instructor 2006-Current 
  • U16 Connecticut Rangers AAA, Assistant Coach



DAVE RUHLY
  •  Culver Military Academy Director of Admissions
  •  Culver Military Academy Assistant Coach 
  •  Lawrence University Head Coach, 2000-2006 
  •  Providence College, B.A. English, Business
  •  4-year letterman, Providence Friars, Hockey East
  •  Player, Culver Military Academy, 1992, Captain and MVP
  •  1993 Montreal Canadians 7th round draft choice
  •  Instructor, Providence College Hockey School
  •  Culver Military Academy Assistant Coach, 1997-1999



John Ettore
  • Canterbury Prep School, Head Coach, Girls Varsity 2007-Present
  • USA hockey, National, District, & State camp staff member and evaluator
  • Connecticut Polar Bears, Head Coach 2005-2007
  • Level IV USA Hockey Coach









Rocky Mountain Hockey Schools - 640 11th Street Unit 108, Golden, CO 80401 - Phone: 877.848.RMHS