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RICK DEFEO - 2009 TIER 1 COACH

Tuesday, March 15, 2022, 3:00AM

Rick grew up in Wakefield, MA where he began his hockey career, playing for the in town youth hockey program and then later for the Varsity Hockey Team at Wakefield Memorial High School, where he also played Varsity Baseball and Soccer.  As a youth sports coach (hockey & baseball) Rick’s focus is always on the growth and success of his players, so that they may develop, improve and enjoy playing sports with their teammates. 

 

Rick and his wife Wendy, live in Wakefield, MA with their son Max (’09) who not only plays hockey, but also enjoys playing lacrosse and golf.

 

Coaching Experience:

  • Vipers 09 TIER 1 - DEFEO, 2022-present. 
  • Wakefield Little League, 2015-2019
  • North Shore Coyotes Hockey Club, Squirts thru Pee Wees 2019-2021

 

Playing Experience

  • Wakefield Memorial High School ( 3 yrs. Varsity )
  • HNIB
  • New England Pro-Am

 

Hometown:

  • Wakefield, MA
 

Meet Our Coaches 2022-23

Monday, March 7, 2022, 8:00PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LINKS TO COACHES BIOS:

 

2015

JEFF BUTTERS

ESSEX TECH COACHING STAFF

 

 

 

2014

JIM LEGER

PRO

 

 

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

 

 

PHILLIPS ANDOVER ACADEMY

 

 

 

2013

JOHN HURD

TUFT UNIVERSITY

 

 

ARLINGTON CATHOLIC

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

2011

MATT SANDERS

PRO

 

 

UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT

 

 

NORTHFIELD MT HERMON SCHOOL

 

 

 

2010

BRENDAN FORREST

HAMILTON COLLEGE

 

 

GOVERNORS ACADEMY

 

 

 

2009 TIER1-DEFEO

RICK DEFEO

WAKEFIELD HIGH SCHOOL

 

 

 

2009 TIER1-IANOTTI

MARC IANOTTI

WILLIAMS COLLEGE

 

 

NORTHFIELD MT HERMON SCHOOL

 

 

 

U14

GREG PERRY

BRIDGETON ACADEMY

 

 

GLOUCESTER HS

 

 

 

U15

MATT SANDERS

PRO

 

 

UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT

 

 

NORTHFIELD MT HERMON SCHOOL

 

 

 

U16

WAYNE SILVA

SALEM STATE COLLEGE

 

 

 

U18

DAN DOHERTY

'21 DEFENDING EHF CHAMPS

 

 

 

U18

WAYNE SILVA

SALEM STATE COLLEGE

 

 



 

JIM LEGER - 2014 COACH

Sunday, February 27, 2022, 11:50PM

Maintaining the Vipers focus of experienced coaching, Jim Leger joins us with a wealth of knowledge and an unrivaled hockey experience to share with his players. 

Formerly of Saugus and now lives in Middleton, Leger was a National Champion with the powerhouse University of Maine Black Bears in 2000.  After college, Jim spent 8 years in professional hockey playing for the Pittsburgh Pengiuns AHL, ECHL, & CHL affiliates.   He was selected for a team out of Canada to travel to Germany to play on their professional teams.

Jim has a USA Hockey Level 4 Coaching Certification.

Jim & his wife, Monica, have 2 girls, Hayden & Keira.

       

Coaching Experience:

  • 14Vipers, Coach, 2022-Present
  • Masco Youth Hockey Mites, 2020-22
  • Masco Girls Varsity Summer League
  • Vipers U16 & U18
  • Bishop Hoban Varsity Hockey Coach (Pennsylvania) 

Playing Experience:

  • 8 year professional career
  • University of Maine (asst captain),
  •           National Champions, 1999
  •           NCCA Div 1 Frozen Four (Back to Back Years)
  •           Hockey East Playoff Championship, 2000
  •           NCAA Hockey Hockey Humanitarian Award, 2000
  •           Most Inspirational Player Award, University of Maine
  •           Unsung Player Award, University of Maine
  •           Dean Smith Award - Top Student/Athlete at University of Maine 
  • USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints
  • Philips Andover Academy
  • Saugus High School, Northeast Conference All Star
  • (2x) Team Massachusetts & 1995 National Champion at the Chicago Showcase with fellow Viper Coach, Matt Sanders. 

Hometown:

  • Middleton, MA
 

JOHN HURD - 2013 COACH

Wednesday, February 16, 2022, 4:00AM

With a hockey career that culminated with four years playing for the Tufts University Jumbos, John has experience playing at all levels of the game.  John grew up in Arlington, Massachusetts, where he began his hockey career, playing both in town and for a AAA travel program, followed by four years at Arlington Catholic and Tufts University.  As a coach, John’s focuses on player development, making the game fun so the players will always want to come to the rink, work hard and improve.  John has a wife, Christine, and two sons, Wesley (’13) and Dylan (’15) who both play hockey. 

John lives in Arlington, where outside of hockey he runs a local law practice and serves on the Arlington Select Board.

 

Coaching Experience:

  • 13Vipers, Coach, 2022-Present
  • 13Vipers, Asst Coach, 2021-22
  • Arlington Youth Hockey, Mite Coach, 2019-21 
  • Arlington Youth Hockey, Peewee Coach, 2009-12
  • Arlington Catholic High School, Asst Coach, 2005-09

Playing Experience:

  • Tufts University (4yrs, Captian '05)
  • Arlington Catholic High School (4yr Varsity, Captian '01) 

Hometown:

  • Arlington, MA
 

MATT SANDERS - 2011 COACH

Tuesday, February 15, 2022, 4:00AM

After playing for the Detroit Vipers (IHL), Matt started Select Skills Hockey training players from Learn-to-Skate thru High School.   

Matt lives in Salisbury, MA with his wife Eliza, son Cole and daughter Kayla. 

Coaching Experience:

  • 11Vipers, Coach, 2018-present
  • 07Vipers, Coach, 2014-present
  • Co-Founder & Director, Select Skills Hockey, training learn-to-skate thru college players. Specializing in edgework and stride development. Currently working with various DI-DIII college players, high school, prep school, town youth hockey and select programs throughout Massachusetts. 2000-present
  • Owner & Director, TopShelf Hockey, recruiting & coaching teams of the top local high school & prep school players for the college recruitment tournaments. 1999-2002
  • USA Hockey Level 4 Certified Advanced Coach

Playing Experience:

  • Tampa Bay Lightning, Detriot Vipers (IHL), 2000-01
  • University of Vermont (asst capt), 1996-2000
  • Dartmouth College Ledyard Bank Tournament MVP, 1999
  • UVM Rookie of the Year, 1997
  • Northfield Mt Hermon School (captain), 1994-1996
  • All New England Prep All Star, 1996
  • Pingree School, 1992-1994
  • Saugus High School, 1991

Hometown:

  • Salisbury, MA