Coaching Bios

Head Players Skills & Development

Professional Hockey Player, Springfield Thunderbirds

Drew Callin, currently assigned to the Springfield Thunderbirds for the 23/24 season, is a 2019 Bentley University graduate and was a standout in their hockey program. Prior to playing for the Thunderbirds, the St. Louis Blues affiliate, Callin spent time with the Worcester Railers and Rapid City Rush.

As a 5th year pro hockey player, 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, 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!”

Originally from Enfield, CT, Coach Napoleon spent his formative years in the Enfield hockey program starting with PeeWees and ending with graduation from high school. After taking a break and settling into South Windsor with his wife and two sons, he started his hockey coaching career when his oldest son started learn to skate. He has coached multiple years at the U10, U12 and U14 levels and holds a Level IV coaching certification. Coach Napoleon believes that creating a culture of hard work, accountability, discipline and respect for the game and others while maintaining an environment where players can build their bodies, develop their skills and challenge themselves through competition is the key to forming good hockey players and great hockey teams.  

In the offseason, Coach Napoleon can be found on the baseball diamond with his wife cheering on their two sons or on a motorcycle enjoying his other lifelong passion.  

Co - Head Coach - PeeWee A & Bantam Gold

Nick Gionfriddo serves as the PeeWee A Co-Head Coach & Bantam Gold Head Coach for the 2025-2026 season. This is Nick’s 7th year 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 201

Co - Head Coach - PeeWee A

Coach "Jimmy" O’Brien loves the sport of hockey and adores the town of South Windsor. Although he was born and raised in the Bronx, New York, he moved to South Windsor 11 years ago as his wife Natalie is an art teacher in town. While he was in the Bronx, he began coaching at the age of 18 specializing in developing new players to the game. He spent the 2022-2023 as an assistant coach for the Squirt B team, and the 2023-2024 Season as Head Coach of the Squirt B1 team that finished as a finalist in the state tournament. Last season, he and Coach Nick formed a partnership to Co-Head Coach the PeeWee A team to a successful 2024-2025 season and they are looking forward to carrying it over into the 2025-2026 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.

SWYHA Parent Liaison - 10UA Head Coach

The intent of the parent liaison is to allow a family of the SWYHA to have their voice heard even if they are not available for formal sessions such as board meetings. In this role, Travis is available via phone, text, email or even leer for all parents to bring up concerns with the association, board, coaching staff and arena concerns as well. All concerns are kept anonymous, and allows us an organization to have a constant pulse of things on your mind and respond accordingly in a timely fashion.

Coach Mike is currently the head coach for Squirt 10U A1 for the 2025-2026 season. He is USA Hockey Level 4 certified. This will be Coach Mike’s 4 th year with SWYHA, all spent within LTP and Mite. Coach Mike enjoys bringing a fun environment to learning and teaching the game of hockey while focusing on skill development, teamwork, and proper sportsmanship.

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.

Coach Adam is a lifelong hockey player and South Windsor native, 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 powerhouse 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 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 3 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.

Born and raised in Central Mass. Grew up playing for the Mid State Junior Sharks out of Auburn, MA. Currently in my second year of coaching youth hockey. I have been living in South Windsor, CT for the last 13 years. In addition to coaching hockey, I also coach travel soccer, baseball and softball all in the town of South Windsor. As a coach, my focus is on helping young players find the joy in playing hockey, as well as developing the young talent within the program on and off the ice. As a coach, I want to ensure players learn the fundamentals of the game, improve their skill, while also focusing on respect for their teammates and opponents. 

Grew up in Somers, CT. Played for Enfield Hockey Association through Pee-Wee. From Enfield I went to the Connecticut Whalers. I played Jr. B with the Whalers until I graduated high school. Played two seasons with Jr. A Dryden Ice Dogs of the Superior International Junior Hockey League. I wrapped up my Junior career with the Jr. B Connecticut Clippers. I then played 4 years with the State University of New York in Canton where I was named Captain 3 of 4 seasons.

 I started coaching the Learn to Play program with the Connecticut Chiefs in 23'-24'. From there I coached for the Simsbury Mite House League in 24'-25'.