Hockey Development Program Staff

We have assembled a group of some of the finest Hockey Development Personnel is the GTA and surrounding Area. Please find below our roster.

Program Developers and Lead Instructors
 

Vito Carnovale - 

Vito grew up playing minor hockey in the GTHL before being drafted by the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors (now Mississauga Steelheads) in the 2006 OHL Priority Selection.

At the conclusion of his junior hockey career, he went on to pursue his academic studies at York University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree. Vito then went on to complete a Master’s of Science in Education at Medaille College in Buffalo, NY.

Vito has coached teams ranging from the Select to AAA levels and has over 15 years of experience with on-ice skill development (Owner of Pulse Hockey Development). He is extremely passionate about the game of hockey and loves teaching players of all ages and skill levels. To him, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing his players progress and strive to reach their goals.  

Grant Holliday - 

As a player Grant grew up playing the GTHL and went on to gain both Canadian University and Minor Professional experience. Between running camps for the City of Toronto, strength and conditioning, and on-ice work, he has been teaching for over 15 years. Grant has an Honours Degree from Queen's University in Physical Education and Health, as well as one year of Music taken at the University of Toronto.  He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a Certified Sports Nutritionist designated under the International Society of Sports Nutrition. He has worked with players ranging from Tyke to the NHL level.  Grant currently owns his own business which provides on-ice skill coaching and health consulting through the lens of training / nutrition / lifestyle / mindfulness support to both athletes and non-athletes.  Current co-owner of Powerhouse Development

Adrian Saul  - 
10 Year European Pro Career
NCAA Player 
GTHL AAA Head Coach 2013 - Present
Developed numerous players that have advanced to OHL, NCAA, and the NHL over 11 years.
Coach the 2004 Birth Year Toronto Titans to a U15 Ontario Federation Championship
Owner of APS Hockey Development

Lorne Hunchuck

As a former player, Lorne spent his formative years playing in the GTHL AAA level and even had the privilege of attending minor professional hockey camps. With 18 years of experience as a head coach in the GTHL AAA level, and 2 years of experience in the OMHA AAA level across various age groups, he has accumulated valuable knowledge and expertise. Lorne takes pride in mentoring numerous athletes at the AAA hockey level, as well as supporting and guiding other coaches in their development.

Additionally, he served as an assistant coach for a Junior hockey A club, contributing to the team's success and the growth and development of its players. During his tenure as a head coach, he had the privilege of witnessing several of his players getting drafted to higher levels in their hockey careers, both at the amateur and professional level. To further enhance his hockey knowledge, Lorne became HP1 high-performance certified from Hockey Canada. Beyond coaching, Lorne is an accomplished elite skills instructor with two decades of experience, working with players from minor hockey to the professional level.

Lorne's extensive background in hockey, both as a player and as a coach, allows him to bring a wealth of experience and professionalism. Lorne is committed to creating a positive and competitive environment that fosters player development and success. Current co-owner of Powerhouse Athletic Development.

Stephanie Gastman

As a seasoned hockey coach with a passion for player development, I bring over 16 years of experience as an assistant coach with elite youth teams across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). With a track record of success at both AAA and AA levels, I have honed my coaching skills through my tenure with prestigious organizations such as the North York Rangers, Richmond Hill Coyotes, and Stouffville Clippers.
 
My commitment to hockey extends beyond coaching, as I also bring firsthand playing experience to the table. Having competed in women’s junior hockey for the Mississauga Chiefs and Aurora Panther’s,  I understand the dedication and perseverance required to excel in this sport.
 
Furthermore, my role as the Hockey Program Coordinator  allowed me to deepen my understanding of the administrative aspects of the game while overseeing various hockey programs and ensuring their smooth operation.
 
As a  power skating coaching, I am equipped with the knowledge and expertise to enhance players' skating abilities, a fundamental aspect of hockey performance.
Driven by a desire to help young athletes reach their full potential both on and off the ice, I am dedicated to creating a positive and nurturing environment where players can thrive and develop into well-rounded individuals.
 

Jake Cella

Jake brings a competitive driven mindset and a positive attitude to every session. Jake’s goal for every player is to improve each session. Jake has been a skills instructor for 4 years. Jake specializes in skating, shooting, and defense training, specifically to develop the skills of the “new-age” defenseman. He played five years of Junior Hockey, including time for OJHL, AJHL, and OHL teams. Jake recently ended his playing career with the Brock University Varsity Men’s Hockey Team in the OUA, reaching the National Championship two out of three years he was part of the team. Jake has experience playing defence, centre, and right-wing in Junior and University hockey. 

Jake is currently pursuing an Honours degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Operations Management and a Minor in Economics. During his time at Brock, he was named a 2x USports Academic All-Canadian, was put on the Dean’s List, and was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma Honour Society for being in the top 10% of undergraduate business students at Brock University. 

Jake is committed to helping each player improve their hockey skills and teaching them important life lessons to help guide them through obstacles they will face as they grow up. 

Goaltender Development

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