Each season Junior Hockey goes through a number of coaching changes, moves, departures and promotions that reshufffles the deck in the Junior Hockey landscape. Already in 2024 we’ve seen a number of new coaches in the North American Hockey League either due to firing and hiring or league expansion. Similarly, the USPHL and NCDC have a great number of new coaches introduced into their league lineup.
One such place that does not have a ton of turnover with coaching is the Eastern Hockey League. The EHL’s motto lends itself to such stability when it markets itself as the league Where Players Come First. Taken from their website, “The EHL is a junior hockey league that is fully committed to developing the skills hockey players need to be prepared for the next stage in their career. We are focused on maximizing your potential in the time you spend with us. When leaving the EHL, you’ll be better prepared for your next step. Through individualized coaching, premium training programs, and a more dedicated experience, our priority is to provide the student athlete with the necessary tools to reach their goals on and off the ice.” About The League (easternhockeyleague.org)
These coaches represent the EHL and their respective teams and provide tremendous stability for their organizations. Additionally, each coach has experience at some of the highest levels in Hockey.
Tim Kunes – Head Coach New England Wolves
Tim is a native of Huntington, NY who completed 8 years of playing professionally. In 2005 he was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes (5th Rd, 145th overall) and went on to attend Boston College on a 4- year athletic scholarship. During his time at BC, he won multiple Hockey East Championships, the Beanpot, and an NCAA National Championship in 2008.
Prior to coaching with the Wolves, Tim played with the Trenton Devils in the ECHL, where he was named Trenton Devils Defenseman of the Year. Following his stint in the ECHL, Tim made the jump to Europe. Tim has played in the German, Norwegian, Swedish and Danish professional leagues. During his time in Europe Tim has 3 times been named a First- Team All- Star and won (3) Norwegian Championships with the Stavanger Oilers. Additionally he has won the German Cup and played in the Champions Hockey League.
Chris Cerella – Head Coach NH Avalanche
- 20 Years of Coaching ( 1 year College, 19 years Jr A)
- Over 300 College Placements
- Over 500 Jr A wins & 19 straight years of playoff appearances
- Coach of the Year Recipient
- Current all-time leading scorer of Quinnipiac University Men’s Ice Hockey
- Quinnipiac Hall of Fame Inductee 2010
- NCAA All-American
“The EHL has a very good reputation in NCAA college hockey and you can see the results in our college placement history. Our leagues coaches work very hard at communicating with ncaa coaches no matter what their level or logo is and we give college coaches all the resources they need to recruit our players. The EHL has been a constant in the NCAA college hockey recruiting world and that tradition will continue for many years to come. ” – Chris Cerella
Scott Drevitch- Head Coach Bridgewater Bandits
Scott Drevitch is a 19 year Professional hockey veteran and has been coaching at the Junior level for the past 10 seasons. Drevitch will work closely with the Bandits Coaches and Management team to ensure the incoming talent improves from year to year. Scott will assume the duties of General Manager / Head Coach of the EHL team to help players gain the skills and experience they need to transition to the next level. Scott played his College Hockey at the University of Maine and then UMASS- Lowell.
Greg Heffernan- Head Coach Connecticut Nor’Easters
Heffernan, who will be relocating with the CT Chiefs to Simsbury, CT and continuing on with the Nor’Easters, coached for 15 years in NCAA Hockey. He had this to say about the EHL “The EHL is an outstanding league for Direct to NCAA player placement. Having been an NCAA head coach for many years, I heavily recruited the EHL. Many of my NCAA friends still do the same. One of the reasons why NCAA coaches like recruiting the EHL is that the league prioritizes player exposure and advancement ahead of anything else. Personally, when a player comes to me in their age out year, it’s my responsibility to ensure that I do everything in my power to create options for that player at the college level for the following season.”
Ian Moran- Head Coach Boston Jr Eagles
Raised in Acton, MA, Moran attended Belmont Hill before spending two seasons at Boston College, where he won the Hockey East Rookie of the Year award in the 1991-92 season. During his 15-year professional career, Ian suited up for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, and Anaheim Ducks for a total of 489 regular season games and 66 playoff games in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Eric Lind & Steven Brown- Connecticut Roughriders
Eric Lind is a former NCAA Division Standout as a UNH Wildcat, and has worked with Steven Brown and the Roughriders since their introduction into the EHL.
For more info on the EHL visit their website- Eastern Hockey League
