2018 Duluth Coaches

Paul Leigh – 2001/02 Coach

Paul is a native of Long Beach, California. He attended California State University, Long Beach, where he graduated with a degree in Journalism and a minor in English.

Between the California Wave and DYHA Jr. Sun Devils programs, he’s guided his teams to a number California

Amateur Hockey Association and Arizona Amateur Hockey Association State Championships, along with a trip to the USA Hockey National Championships. He is Head coach for the U18 AA Jr Sun Devils hockey team in Tempe, AZ. (2018-19)

Paul brings a commitment to excellence which transcends to his players, as he has assisted many players onto AAA, Prep School, and Tier II & III juniors. We are very excited to have Paul on board TNW!

 

Dusty Collins – 2001/02 Coach

Dusty was born and raised in Arizona. He is a TNW alumni playing on the undefeated ‘85 birth year team for 5 years!   He was the first Native Arizonan drafted into the National Hockey League. Drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 5th round 163rd overall (2004)

He lives in Northern Michigan with his wife Samantha and son Rowan. Currently, he is attending Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (2014-2018) preparing for residency.

Member of the United States National Team Development Program (2001-2003)
Member of the Team USA Word U-17 Challenge Gold medal winning team (2001)- Four  year  letter winner with Division 1 Northern Michigan University Men’s Ice Hockey Team (2003-2007)
First Native Arizonan drafted into the National Hockey League. Drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 5th round 163rd overall (2004)
Played Professional Hockey in the AHL, ECHL, and CHL (2007-2011)
Member of the President’s Cup Central Hockey League Champion Arizona Sundogs (2008)-Member of the American Hockey League Calder Cup Finalist Manitoba Moose (2009)
Co-Captain for the 2009 Vancouver Canucks NHL Rookie team
Co-Captain of the 2009 Manitoba Moose pre-season team
13 years as a Head and Assistant Coach for the Team Northwest AAA hockey organization
Co-Owner/Co-Instructor of Collins Hockey Camps
Volunteer Strength and Conditioning Coach for Northern Michigan University Division I Men’s Ice Hockey team (2011-2013)
Assistant Coach of the Marquette Senior High School Varsity Hockey Team (2013-2014)
USA Hockey Coaching Certification seminar speaker for Levels 1 to 4. (2012- present)

Dusty has coached for TNW many years and we are excited to have him on board once again!

 

Clay Van Diest – 2003 Coach

Clay spent 5 summers as a player for Team Northwest AAA Hockey! He is attending

St. Norberts College with a 3.95 GPA, a double Major in English & Education.  He is an Elite 90 NCAA Recipient and Graduated from Notre Dame Prep School, Wilcox, Saskatchewan.

His accomplishments in athletics is quite impressive –

National Champion for Team Montana U-16 AA.

National Champion for St. Norbert College NCAA Division III.

Played 5 sports senior year of high school.

Captain of 3 teams Senior Year-Baseball, Hockey, Football.

Football: Team MVP, 1st Team All-Conference.

High School Hockey:

Team Captain of AAA Hounds

Junior Hockey:

Portage Terriers (MJHL) & Virden Oil Capitals (MJHL)

Awards:

3 time “Community Spirit Award” Winner.

2013-14: Best Defensive Defenseman.

College Hockey:

3 Frozen Four appearances.

2016 National Runner Up

2017 National Semi Finalist

2018 National Champion.

2 Time Academic All-Conference (NCHA)

2017 Academic All-American.

Coaching:

2016: Head Coach of 2002 Green Bay Hornets U14 Team.

2016: Assistant Coach of 2005 Team Northwest AAA

This is Clays second year coaching for TNW and it’s so awesome to have him back on board!

 

Taylor Shaw – 2003 Coach

Taylor is a dedicated hockey coach with experience at both the bantam and high school levels. He has skills in academic support, budget management, grant writing, fundraising, scheduling, team travel, practice planning and all responsibilities as required.  This is Taylors 2nd year with TNW and we are very fortunate to have him on board!

EDUCATION TEACHING LICENSE: SOCIAL STUDIES 5-12 Current Graduate Student at Michigan State University for Online Masters of Arts in Education Concentration Area: Sports Coaching & Leadership and Literacy Education  Attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth  Major: Secondary Education – Social Studies with emphasis in Economics University of Minnesota Certificate in Educational Computing and Technology  Minor: Coaching Honors: Dean’s List 2015 & Spring 2016 The Society of Collegiate Leadership & Achievement

Coaching Experience:

  • Assistant Coach, Team Northwest AAA Hockey May 2017 – Present
  • Assistant Varsity – Defense & Goalies, Proctor Boy’s High School Hockey, Proctor MN June 2016- Present
  • Head JV Coach, Proctor Boy’s High School Hockey, Proctor MN June 2016- Present
  • Goalie Coach/ Assistant Coach, Proctor Boy’s High School Hockey, Proctor MN November 2015- March 2016
  • Goalie Clinic Coordinator, Proctor Youth Hockey, Proctor MN November 2015- Present
  • Volunteer Youth Hockey Bantam Coach, Duluth East Youth Hockey, Duluth MN September 2014- February 2015
  • Volunteer Youth Hockey Coach, Sartell Youth Hockey Association, Sartell MN Nov. 2009- March 2012

Certifications:  • AED & First Aid Certification, American Red Cross/ City of Duluth • Minnesota State High School League Head Coach Certified

 

Todd Collins – 2004 Coach

Todd is a Minnesota native who is an elite hockey coach in the state of Arizona. Todd has now instructed and coached for over 31 years, and holds his Level 4 Advanced Coaching Certification.

His expertise’s being in Power Skating and Stick handling which he focuses on during his weekly semi-private lessons and his Collins High Performance Skating Clinics. Todd has also coached hundreds of players that have now moved on to Junior A, Major Junior, NCAA Division 1 , and the NHL.

Since coaching in Arizona, Todd has coached at all levels varying from Mite Novice AAA to Midget AAA and Tier 2 Juniors in the WSHL. In addition, Todd carries his Level 4 Advanced Coaching Certification and from 1999-2012 Todd was a USA Hockey Arizona State Camp Evaluator. Todd has always had an extreme passion and knowledge for the game of hockey. Playing since he was a child, he then introduced the game to both of his sons.

Todds son Dusty Collins, was the first born and raised Arizonian drafted in the NHL in 2004 by the Tampa Bay Lightning.   Todd is the Executive Director/GM of Team Northwest AAA Hockey. Established in 1989, TNW  is the longest running spring/summer AAA Hockey program in the Western U.S., with countless alumni players moving on to D1 colleges and to the NHL!

In addition, he is a scout for the Prince George Cougars in the (WHL), Minot Minotauros (NAHL) and Lincoln Stars (USHL). Todd is currently coaching (2017-2018) for the DYHA ASU Junior Sun Devils 16 Tier 2 National contender hockey team in Tempe, Arizona!  He is getting prepared and excited for next season as well (2018-2019), ready to coach the U14 Bantam Major team and the U16 Midget Major team.

 

Bruce Ericsson –  2004 Coach

Bruce and his family live in Arizona.  3 of his sons have played and play with TNW for many years. Bruce is a full time farm veterinarian when he is not on the ice coaching.  Bruce has 20 plus years of hockey coaching experience in Arizona and currently coaches the Bobcats 04 AAA Hockey team.

This is Bruces’ 6th year coaching for TNW and we’re very happy to have him back on board with us!

 

Brad Federenko – 2005 Coach

Brad is from Prince Albert, SK. He D1 College hockey for 4 years at University Minnesota Duluth!  After college he played 9 years of pro hockey  in the ECHL, SPHL, ACHL and WHA2. He has carries a very impressive GP average while playing in these pro leagues.  Brads home is in Montana. He is the rink director in Billings and coaches the high school hockey team.

This is Brads 1st year coaching with TNW and we’re very fortunate to have him on bard our staff!

 

Brandon Perrone – 2005 Coach

Brandon played as a defenseman at the University of St. Scholastica for 4 years in Duluth, MN. He was born and raised in Peoria, AZ . Brandon currently plays in the SPHL league (minor pro)  for the Macon Meyham in Georgia.

Brandon has been head counselor for 6 years in Brainard, MN for Minnesota Hockey Camps. This is Brandon’s 3rd year coaching with Team Northwest and we’re excited to have him back on board the coaching staff!

 

Scott Pionk – 2006 Coach

Scott played youth and high school hockey in Proctor, MN.  Both of Scotts sons, Neil and Nate are TNW alumni and have also been assistant coaches over the past years. Neil was drafted by the New York Rangers (NHL) in 2017, making his NHL debut on Feb. 9th, 2018 with the Rangers.

Scott embarked on a coaching career at age 19.   The highlights have been many including:

*A State and National Championship as Head Coach of the Northland Voyageurs Junior “B” team in 1991-92.

*A 27-0 record, State Championship, USA Hockey Central District Championship and Coach of the Year honors as Head Coach of the Omaha Junior Lancers high school/midget “AA” team in 1995.

*Assistant Coach and General Manager of the United Stated States Hockey League’s Waterloo Black Hawks 1997-98 and 1998-99.

*Runner-up for USHL Coach of the Year honors in 1997-98.

*Head Coach of the State Champions in 2000 Minnesota Project Prep Fall High School league.

*Assistant coach at Duluth Marshall School 2001-02 and 2002-03.

*Instructor at city of Omaha Parks and Recreation Hockey Camp 1994-2003.

*Started Scott Pionk Summer Hockey Camp in 2004.

*Assistant Coach at the University of Wisconsin-Superior 2004-05.

Scott has coached numerous times with TNW of the past years and as always, we are very grateful to have him on board once again!

 

Aaron Slattengren – 2006 Coach

Aaron is from Duluth and  lives in Hermantown, MN and coaches for Hermantown Youth Hockey Association.  He played  hockey in Proctor as a youth  and then moving onto impressive teams like the Omaha Lancers in the USHL and Colorado College for 4 years after high school. He then started his pro career over the course of 7 years in the ECHL and AHL.

This is Aarons 2nd year coaching for TNW and we’re happy to have him back with us once again!

 

Rod Adolff – 2007 Coach

Rod, is from Lethbridge, Alberta. Rod played D1 college hockey  all four years for the University Minnesota Duluth. Rod has had head coach and had successful championships with the Minnesota Wilderness,  Pensacola Ice Flyers and Norfolk Admirals in addition to the  2014 and 2016 SPHL President’s Cup champion.

Rod returns after a stint coaching the ECHL’s Norfolk Admirals and then serving as a scout for the Edmonton Oilers. Rod returns to Pensacola as the “winningest coach” in franchise record with a 101-51-16 record. He was named the Superior International Junior Hockey League Coach of the Year in both 2011-12 and 2012-13 as well as the SPHL Coach of the Year in 2013-14. Rob has been on board with TNW for over 3 years,  and we’re very  happy to have him back on board!

 

Derek Winters – 2007 coach

Derek grew up playing youth hockey in Deerfield,  Illinois. He then went on to play AAA hockey for Team Illinois and the Chicago Young Americans.  Leaving Illinois in his sophomore year, Derek went on to play hockey for Tabor Academy Preparatory School in Massachusetts.

Derek and his family reside in Hayward, Wisconsin and there he has coached hockey over the last 6 years, with his teams making it to state the last two years at the squirt age, taking 2nd place!

This is Dereks 1st year with TNW and we are very happy to have him on board!