Potomac Patriots
R.J. Zeigler’s passion for developing hockey players in this area stems from his own personal roots in northern Virginia. As a young player he grew up playing youth hockey in the D.C. area before moving on to captain the Washington Junior Capitals. R.J. quickly chose to pursue coaching while in college.
He accepted the Head Coach position for a young GMU program playing in the ACHA. His success helping to develop that program led to a head coach position with the Virginia Statesmen. In his first season coaching Junior Hockey he led his team to the USA Hockey Nationals. After his two seasons with the Statesmen the organization ceased operations in 2007. For the next year R.J. focused solely on developing the Tier II program in his home facility, the Prince William Ice Center.
Coach Zeigler then joined the Virginia Express in the Spring of 2008. His dedication to the organization quickly moved him through the ranks and by the Fall of that same year he had taken over has Head Coach of the Express’ Junior “B” team. In January of 2009 he added the G.M. responsibilities. His goal, one that is consistent with the founder of the Virginia Express (and now the Potomac Patriots), is to develop hockey players in an effort to move them to the next level. For every player and family that could be different; College, higher level junior, or Prep School.
Whatever the desired path is Coach Zeigler commits himself to assisting his players in achieving their goals. In 2010 RJ Zeigler and Bill Hutzler formed the Potomac Patriots.
Coach Zeigler has since served as GM and Head Coach of the Potomac Patriots until 2014. At that time he began developing plans to unite all of the youth hockey at the Prince William Ice Center under one umbrella. In 2015 that vision became a reality. RJ now serves as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Potomac Patriots.
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jgratton@innovativesportsva.com
Born in Brantford Ontario Canada, Josh comes to the Potomac Patriots with a long history of hockey knowledge and experience. He play 16 years in the Pro hockey world, was drafted by the NHL spending 5 of those years playing for the Phoenix Coyotes.
Josh has played in all the top leagues around the world, he has won 2 Calder Cups (one with Philadelphia and the other with Manchester). He has also played in 2 World Cups with team Canada and has been listed as an AHL All Star.
Josh has developed on of the top hockey academy's in China and works with top Junior players. He has also spent a year coaching in the OJHL league in Collinwood Ontario.
His knowledge of coaching and off ice program conditioning back in Ontario is sure to excel our Patriots programming. We are excited to be adding Josh to our hockey family!
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agrose@innovativesportsva.com
A Fairfax, VA native, Alex grew up playing hockey in the area playing for the Ashburn Xtreme, Virginia Statesman, & Reston Raiders. He got his start on the Ice with the Initiation program when he was 3 years old here at Prince William Ice Center.
Alex was on the inaugural Potomac Patriots junior team (2010-2011) & played 3 seasons with Potomac. Alex was one of the Captains of the team in 2013, before moving to Canada to play Junior "A" in the OJHL for the Toronto Patriots. While in Toronto he was a part of their 2013-2014 Championship season and RBC Cup run.
Alex then Committed to Iowa State University (ACHA D-I). After 3 years at Iowa State, Alex Graduated and went to play for George Mason 2017-18 season as a Graduate student.
Alex started coaching with the George Mason University ACHA team as an assistant coach in 2018 and is entering his 4th season as an assistant coach with George Mason. While remaining as an assistant with George Mason, he will be behind the bench and on the Ice with the Patriots Juniors this year as well.
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Coach Michael Shelley grew up playing hockey in Western New York, stepping back from the game to attend Canisius College where he played Division I AA college football. After graduating from Canisius with a Bachelor’s degree in political science, Coach Shelley moved to Virginia in the summer of 2000 to pursue his career with a local law enforcement agency.
Coach Shelley began coaching hockey while living in Western New York. In Virginia, he continued his coaching career with the Prince William Panthers and the Potomac Patriots. Coach Shelley has served as an Assistant Coach, Head Coach, and House Director. In 2018, Coach Shelley earned his level 5 USA hockey coaching certification (with a Gold Level certification in goalie coaching). This will be Coach Shelley's fourth season as the Goaltending Coach with the Potomac Patriots’ Junior Program.
Coach Shelley has worked with numerous high-level NHL/AHL goaltending coaches. Specifically, he worked with Bob Janosz (formerly of the Florida Panthers, the Buffalo Sabres, and the current goalie coach for the Niagara Ice Dogs in the OHL). In 2018, Coach Shelley was awarded a mentee position with NHL goaltending coach Mitch Korn (who currently serves as the Goaltending Director of the New York Islanders). While working with Mitch Korn, Coach Shelley also trained with the Washington Capitals Goalie Coach, Scott Murray.
Coach Shelley is the owner/operator of Patriot Goaltending LLC. Coach Shelley believes in a holistic approach to coaching goalies supporting skill development both on ice and off ice, as well as, mental skills training.
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Email - jsucese@toptierstrong.com
Website - Toptierstrong.com
Jonathan moved to Virginia shortly after graduating from SUNY Geneseo where he played Division III hockey for the Ice Knights. His resume includes State Championships in both New York and Massachusetts, three USA Hockey National Championship appearances, three Select USA Hockey Player Development Camps (Under-15, 16, and 17), and a trip to the 2014 NCAA D-III Hockey Final Four during his senior campaign where he served as a team captain alongside Premier Head Coach, Zachary Vit.
Jonathan has made his way through the ranks with the Potomac Patriots, serving as an Assistant Coach for the 2016 Championship winning USPHL U15 Futures Patriots team. Following their championship season, the team moved up to the U16 level and Jonathan made the jump with them for the 2016-17 season as the Head Coach. He most recently served as the Head Coach of the program's U16 Futures team.
Strength and Conditioning is also a passion for Coach Jonathan. He initiated the program's emphasis on strength and conditioning and has been the Midget and Junior teams' Strength Coach for the last three seasons. Holding certifications in Personal Training as well as being a certified Youth Fitness Specialist, Jonathan also has his own sports performance company focusing on off and on-ice development.
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Email - ppats.billet@gmail.com
Heather McGee is an Operations Account Specialist for a local childcare company. She helps to manage the schools revenue, collections process, and management training for over 60 locations within Virginia.
She is also a hockey mom of two boys. Heather's sons started with Prince William Ice Center in the Learn to Skate & Learn to Play Programs. Quickly making the transition to both our House Hockey Program as well as our Youth Travel Program. Both boys currently play travel with the Patriots.
Although Heather and her boys have only been with the Patriots since 2012, Heather's siblings & family have been apart of this Hockey Family for over 20 years.
Heather is not only involved with the Juniors program but she helps to Manage her son's teams, Volunteers during Try Outs and helps to organize some of the Youth Travel Events such as Trunk or Treat.