Coaching Bios

Head Players Skills & Development

Professional Hockey Player, Worcester Railers

Drew Callin is currently assigned to the Worcester Railers Hockey Club after spending four seasons with the Springfield Thunderbirds of the American Hockey League. During his time in Springfield, he was honored as the recipient of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the local community. Coach Callin began his professional career with the Railers at the conclusion of the 2018–19 season, signing as a free agent following a successful collegiate career at Bentley University, where he was a standout member of the hockey program.

As a 8th year pro hockey player, coach Callin brings a level of experience, energy and empowerment to the SWYHA organization. When asked about his desire to coach South Windsor Youth Hockey Association players, coach Callin explained, “I want to help grow the love and passion for hockey in the South Windsor community. Through my experiences with hockey, I am hoping to create a foundation for the kids to grow as hockey players and as people. South Windsor Youth Hockey is a great organization to be a part of and I am looking forward to working with the kids this hockey season. GO KNIGHTS!”

Nick Gionfriddo served as the Peewee A Co-Head Coach & Bantam Gold Head Coach for the 2025-2026 season. Coach Nick is going into his 8th year of coaching with the program and continues to bring passion and love for the game to share with everyone.

In 2024, Nick was named Head Coach for South Windsor High School. Being able to work with both SWYHA and SWHS will help our program prepare kids for what it takes to compete at that next level. With countless resources from the professional, collegiate, and high school level, Nick is always utilizing those resources to help develop our players. 

Nick’s heart has been with South Windsor Hockey starting with Learn to Skate at the age of 3, all the way to Midgets where he then joined the South Windsor High School Varsity team as a freshman in 2013 and played 4 years of hockey there. Throughout those years, Nick has volunteered a significant amount of time to the association where he then showed interest in pursuing a coaching career after graduating high school in 2017.

Coach Jimmy O’Brien brings a strong passion for the game of hockey and a deep appreciation for the South Windsor community. Originally born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Coach Jimmy relocated to South Windsor 11 years ago, where his wife, Natalie, is an art teacher in town. He began his coaching career at the age of 18, focusing on introducing new players to the sport and building a strong foundation of fundamental skills.

Coach Jimmy served as an assistant coach for the Squirt B team during the 2022–2023 season, followed by a successful tenure as Head Coach of the Squirt B1 team in the 2023–2024 season, where the team finished as a finalist in the state tournament. In the 2024–2025 season, Coach Jimmy partnered with Coach Nick as Co-Head Coaches of the Peewee A team, leading the team to a state tournament championship. Building on the success of the past two seasons, they look forward to continuing that momentum as they guide the Bantam team during the 2026–2027 season.

His coaching philosophy centers around individual player development, as well as a focus on a lifelong appreciation for the game of hockey. He played competitive hockey in high school in the Bronx, New York, and then was captain of a division three college team for four years at SUNY New Paltz. Even during his time as a graduate student at University of Connecticut, he served as the player/coach for the UCONN travel club roller hockey team. Coach Jimmy still plays with friends and coaches alike every Thursday and Sunday night. When he is not on the ice, he is a professor at Springfield College in physics, mathematics and computer science.



Clinics Coach

Coach Adam served as an assistant coach for the Squirt 10U A team during the 2025–2026 season and also contributes to the program as a skills and skating clinics coach. In this role, he focuses on player development through targeted instruction designed to improve skating technique, individual skills, and overall hockey fundamentals.

Coach Adam is a lifelong hockey player with over 35 years of playing experience and more than a decade of coaching expertise. His hockey journey began with South Windsor Youth Hockey and later continued at South Windsor High School, where he played a key role in a successful program that captured three straight CCC East conference titles (1996–1998) and a state championship in 1997. In 1998, Adam was named to the Hartford Courant CT Division I All-State team and earned CCC All-Conference honors, capping off an exceptional high school career.

He went on to play NCAA Division III ice hockey in the ECAC Northeast with Western New England University, further sharpening his skills and deepening his understanding of the game. Known for his focus on skating and skill development, coach Adam is a USA Hockey level 4 certified coach that prioritizes holistic player growth—instilling strong fundamentals, enhancing hockey IQ, and fostering the mental resilience essential for success both on and off the ice.



Coach Mike served as the Head Coach of the Squirt 10U A1 team during the 2025–2026 season. He is USA Hockey Level 4 certified and is entering his fifth year with the South Windsor Youth Hockey Association. Coach Mike is committed to creating a positive and engaging learning environment that emphasizes skill development, teamwork, and proper sportsmanship, helping players grow both as athletes and individuals.

Coach Mike is originally from East Granby CT and grew up playing youth hockey for Windsor Youth Hockey Association and the Northern CT Black Bears. After youth hockey, Coach Mike spent three years with the Springfield Jr Pics and four years playing at Marist College. While at Marist College in NY, Coach Mike served as assistant skills director for the Hudson Valley Polar Bears, leading skills clinics primarily for midget aged players. After college, Coach Mike moved back to CT and was head coach for Pee Wee and Bantam teams at Tier II in CHC for the CT Whalers for three years, and AA/AAA Bantam Minor in the EJEPL and MEHL leagues for the Hartford Jr Wolfpack Youth program for two years.

Clinics Coach

Coach Jake served as an assistant coach for the Squirt 10U B team during the 2025–2026 season, marking his first year with the South Windsor Youth Hockey Association. Prior to joining SWYHA, Coach Jake spent the past 15 years living in Tampa, Florida, where he worked with local youth hockey organizations and assisted in the development of collegiate‑level players. His coaching approach emphasizes creating an engaging and enjoyable environment while incorporating game‑like situations to help players translate skills into real competition.

With a strong passion for player development, Coach Jake focuses on building both the skills and mindset that support growth on and off the ice. He has a particular appreciation for the defensive side of the game and enjoys teaching players how strong fundamentals, positioning, and awareness contribute to team success.

Originally from Coventry, Connecticut, Coach Jake played youth hockey with Columbia Youth Hockey before advancing to junior hockey in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Following a brief collegiate playing career, he has spent more than 20 years actively involved in the game, both as a player and through various coaching and development roles.

Peewee 12U Assistant Coach

Coach Greg began his hockey journey in the South Windsor Learn to Skate program and went on to play youth hockey with SWYHA and Central Connecticut Youth Hockey. He later competed for Rockville High School before joining the military.

After returning home, coach Greg reconnected with the youth hockey community by assisting with the Learn to Skate and Learn to Play programs for the Northeast Huskies. He continued his coaching development with ECHO Youth Hockey for several years before returning to South Windsor in 2025. During the 2025-2026 season, coach Greg served as head coach of the Mite A team and as an assistant coach for the Squirt A team. He currently remains the head coach of the Mite A team, where his son also plays.

Off the ice, coach Greg works as a firefighter at UCONN and serves as a Coast Guard Reservist. His wife, Kayla, plays an important role in supporting their family’s strong commitment to hockey and the youth sports community.

Peewee 12U Assistant Coach & SWYHA Parent Liaison

Coach Travis completed a highly successful first season as Head Coach of the South Windsor Knights Squirt A team during the 2025–2026 season. Building on four years of coaching experience as an Assistant Coach at the Mite and Squirt levels, Coach Travis has also played an active role in the organization’s Learn to Skate and Learn to Play development programs. Throughout his coaching career, he has worked closely with young athletes to emphasize skill development, teamwork, and a strong understanding of the game. His leadership during the 2025–2026 season contributed to meaningful player growth and team success, helping athletes continue to develop both on and off the ice.

With a strong focus on building fundamentals, encouraging a positive team culture, and fostering a love for hockey, Coach Travis brings energy, patience, and a teaching mindset to every practice and game. His philosophy centers around developing each player’s confidence, skating, and hockey IQ, while instilling values like respect, hard work, and sportsmanship.

Off the ice, Coach Travis is committed to creating an environment where players learn life skills—such as communication, perseverance, and leadership—that will serve them well beyond the rink. 

Coach Travis’ hockey career included youth hockey with the Enfield Eagles and high school hockey at Rockville high school through 2005. In College, Travis played Rugby at American International College before returning to the ice where he continues to play hockey for various men’s league teams. Although his playing career is not vast, coach Travis has dedicated himself to expanding his coaching knowledge to pass on to the athletes of South Windsor Youth Hockey Association.  His goal is to help every athlete reach their potential while making the season a fun and memorable experience.