JR. REIGN - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Head Coach Riverside 12uAA & 14uAA
Job Titles:
- President
- HEAD COACH Riverside 12uAA & 14uAA
Ben is the president of the Jr. Reign youth hockey club, and has an intense passion for growing young people through this amazing sport. Ben is originally from Toronto, Canada and grew up playing hockey his entire life. He played collegiate hockey at the University of Toronto and eventually played professional roller hockey in SoCal. The sport and the people he has met through it has done so much for his life, and he wants to share that special experience with as many kids as possible so that they too can be positively impacted.
Brandon Richardson, hailing from San Clemente, California. With eight years of coaching experience, Brandon has left his mark in teams like Junior Ducks Pewee AA, Classical Academy, and the Las Vegas Storm. As a former player, Brandon participated in college hockey at the University of Nebraska Omaha and played professionally for teams like Bloomington Blaze, Huntsville Havoc, and Fayetteville Fireantz. In his junior years, he played for the Indiana Ice, coached by Jeff Blashill, and Pembroke Lumberkings under Sheldon Keefe. Inspired by Pavel Bure's speed and puck-handling, Brandon sees coaching as a way to impart life lessons through the game.
Job Titles:
- Riverside Goaltending Development Coordinator
Brett Roble started coaching in 2021, assisting 8U kids at Empire in Ontario. In 2022, he became an assistant coach for Empire Ontario's 10U B team, focusing on developing goalies and defensemen. Brett also coached Jr. Reign during the Spring season and looks forward to coaching with them in the fall. As a player, he excelled as a goalie and played for various teams in Southern California. Brett's love for hockey and working with kids drives his coaching passion. His most memorable experiences include traveling to Moscow with the Jets and playing in the 9280 Pond Hockey Tournament in Keystone, Colorado. The New York Rangers hold a special place as his favorite team.
Job Titles:
- HEAD COACH Westminster 10B, 12BB & 14B
Chris Michalak, from Southfield, Michigan, brings 24 years of coaching experience, including roles with the Jr Ducks, The Rinks, and Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League. His playing background spans youth hockey with Little Caesars and college hockey at Kettering University. Inspired by Pavel Datsyuk, Chris is dedicated to giving back through the sport, emphasizing the value of team bonding and creating lifelong friendships. A passionate supporter of the Red Wings, he aims to enrich his players' lives with the lessons and experiences hockey has afforded him.
Job Titles:
- Coach and Senior Business Executive
- Director of Player Development
- HEAD COACH Carlsbad 12uAA & 14uAA
Darren Berezowski is a youth hockey coach and Senior Business Executive with over 25 years of experience. Darren grew up in Calgary, Alberta Canada, and played elite level youth, junior and College hockey. He started coaching hockey in 2008 with Anaheim Jr Ducks and joined the Jr. Reign in 2011. Darren is passionate when it comes to youth hockey development, and you can find him all over the Jr. Reign Tik Tok account.
David Vychodil is a head coach in high performance teams and skills development for the club. David focuses on the skills and strength conditioning of the players. He loves coaching doesn't see it as a job; but more of a mission and destiny. David is originally from the Czech Republic, and played professionally in leagues across the globe for many years (most notably ECHL, USHL & Czech Extraliga). David's passion and commitment to his teams will last a lifetime.
Job Titles:
- Head Coach Riverside 8uB1, 8uB2 & 10uBB
Gabe coaches hockey because he loves seeing the excitement and fun the kids have when they get to step on the ice or seeing the enjoyment they get from playing. Gabe has coached for 7 Years with the Jr.Reign, and like many of our coaches, doesn't see himself doing anything else. Gabe played his youth hockey with the Jr. Reign, and credits the organization as shaping him into who he is today.
Job Titles:
- Marketing & Events Coordinator
Jake is originally from Burlington, Ontario, Canada and has a strong background in sport marketing and event management. Jakes previous background includes marketing & activation associate with the Toronto Blue Jays as well as a bachelor's degree in Sport Management from Brock University. In addition to his passion with marketing and events, Jake is also a coach for the IEU Wolverines high school team.
Job Titles:
- HEAD COACH Westminster 8B, 10B, 12BB, & 14B
Jakob Romo, from Fullerton, brings 15 years of coaching experience, having worked with teams such as the Jr Ducks and Mater Dei. With over 20 years of skating experience and a background that includes competitive youth hockey with the Junior Ducks, Junior Kings, and LA Hockey, Jakob has played on a Quebec Peewee Championship team and a USA Hockey National Championship team. His junior career included stints with the Spokane Chiefs, Fairbanks Ice Dogs, Minnesota Wilderness, Lone Star Brahmas, and Dubuque Fighting Saints, culminating in a four-year NCAA D-1 scholarship to Arizona State University. Inspired by his older brother Hans, Jakob is passionate about coaching, aiming to elevate players both on and off the ice. A devoted fan of the LA Kings, he values the experiences and opportunities hockey has provided him.
Job Titles:
- Head Coach Carlsbad 12uA & 14uA
James, a skilled player, grew up excelling in youth hockey, playing for sponsored teams like Dearborn Varsity Ford (A), Garden City Thunder (AA), and Dearborn Heights Michigan Nationals (AAA). He later became a walk-on/redshirt at Michigan Technology University's NCAA Division I Hockey Program. James also played a vital role in establishing the university's first ACHA Club team, the Wolfpack. Now residing in California, he is the Director of High Tempo Skates and the San Diego Dragons, actively working to promote youth hockey. Additionally, James runs the Sponsored Adult hockey team, Ford Rangers. As a coach, he focuses on player development and their overall well-being, using hockey as a tool for success in life. His greatest hockey experience lies in the camaraderie shared with players, coaches, and families worldwide. And his favorite team is the Detroit Red Wings.
James, a skilled player, grew up excelling in youth hockey, playing for sponsored teams like Dearborn Varsity Ford (A), Garden City Thunder (AA), and Dearborn Heights Michigan Nationals (AAA). He later became a walk-on/redshirt at Michigan Technology University's NCAA Division I Hockey Program. James also played a vital role in establishing the university's first ACHA Club team, the Wolfpack. Now residing in California, he is the Director of High Tempo Skates and the San Diego Dragons, actively working to promote youth hockey. Additionally, James runs the Sponsored Adult hockey team, Ford Rangers. As a coach, he focuses on player development and their overall well-being, using hockey as a tool for success in life. His greatest hockey experience lies in the camaraderie shared with players, coaches, and families worldwide. And his favorite team is the Detroit Red Wings.
Job Titles:
- Registrar & Safesport Coordinator
Jennifer has worked with the club for 12 years. She started volunteering as a team manager while her two kids were playing with the club. Volunteering moved into a position working with the club in various aspects from check in, marketing, administrative work, and tournament staff. A year after the club moved out to Riverside she took on the role as club registrar
I coach youth ice hockey because it allows me to make a positive impact on young lives while sharing my passion for the sport. Seeing the growth and development of these young players, both on and off the ice, brings me joy. Coaching provides a unique opportunity to teach valuable life skills such as teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and leadership. Being a coach allows me to create a supportive and nurturing environment where kids can thrive, build lifelong friendships, and learn important life lessons through the game they love. Ultimately, coaching youth ice hockey is my way of giving back the mentorship and lessons I learned during my time playing.
I coach youth ice hockey because it allows me to make a positive impact on young lives while sharing my passion for the sport. Seeing the growth and development of these young players, both on and off the ice, brings me joy. Coaching provides a unique opportunity to teach valuable life skills such as teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and leadership. Being a coach allows me to create a supportive and nurturing environment where kids can thrive, build lifelong friendships, and learn important life lessons through the game they love. Ultimately, coaching youth ice hockey is my way of giving back the mentorship and lessons I learned during my time playing.
Job Titles:
- VP of Operations and Director of Athlete Success for the
Joyce is the VP of Operations and Director of Athlete Success for the Jr. Reign Hockey Club. Joyce has been involved with sports the majority of her life, first as an athlete then as a leader in the youth sports world. Joyce has a deep love and passion for youth sports and she credits her youth sports experience to helping her survive a challenging upbringing. Sports played such a critical role in her upbringing and now her life mission is dedicated to using youth sports as a platform that provides a safe and positive environment that builds our youth into confident, compassionate change makers, and big dream chasers.
Job Titles:
- Head Coach Riverside 8uA & 10uBB
Oscar coaches hockey to help serve as a resource to young players who want to learn and develop their skills and sense of the sport. Additionally, he strongly feels hockey and other organized sports not only help improve athletic ability and competitive drive, but grant invaluable life skills and lessons helping players achieve success in their endeavors outside of sports. Oscar played collegiate roller hockey at CSULB and brings his knowledge of the sport to the ice.
Job Titles:
- Head Coach Carlsbad 8uB, 8uA, & 10uBB
Job Titles:
- HEAD COACH RIVERSIDE 10UA
Sean grew up in Southern California and has been playing hockey his entire life. Growing up, Sean won multiple CAHA and SCAHA championships and eventually attended Powell River's BCHL camp for Junior A. Seans biggest influence in the game of hockey are his parents and the coaches that he had playing youth hockey. Sean coaches hockey because his kids are super into it and he wants to be there for support and to share knowledge from his playing days.
Job Titles:
- HEAD COACH Riverside 12uA & 14uA
- Hockey Director
Tomas can't even imagine doing anything in life that didn't involve teaching and coaching youth hockey players. Growing up playing hockey since he could walk, Tomas knows the sport inside and out. Tomas is originally from the Czech Republic, and was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in 1985. Playing at a professional level for over 20 years, Tomas also represented his country at the Olympics in 1994 and at the World Junior Championship in 1985. With his passion and love for the game, Tomas strives at bringing out the highest potential of each and every single player.