2026 - 2027 Coaches
Goalie Coaches
Nate London
Goalie Coach
Nate grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, and played goalie for the Wilmington Ice Hawks before continuing to play hockey at Appalachian State University. After returning to Wilmington, Nate continued playing hockey in local men’s leagues and has stayed closely involved with the game.
Growing up as a goalie, Nate had limited access to position-specific coaching. He now volunteers with goalies of all ages, focusing on fundamentals, technique, and helping players become more comfortable and confident in the position. He also focuses on teaching goalies to better understand the position and build good habits they can carry with them as they continue to develop.
Jeff Strohecker
Goalie Coach
Jeff and his wife Peg, relocated to Holly Ridge, North Carolina in the spring of 2024 after retiring. He brings with him over 55 years of playing, coaching and referee experience.
Born and raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Jeff played his competitive hockey for the Hershey Jr Bears until high school graduation. He then played college club ice hockey at Kutztown University where he was a two time all star and once named player of the week, making 60 saves on 62 shots.
Soon after graduating from college, Jeff started coaching club hockey for Shippensburg University. Around the same time he got involved coaching for the local Hershey Jr Bears travel program and also varsity high school hockey. Jeff has been coaching for over 35 years and received his USA Hockey level 5 Masters certification in 2005. During summer offseasons, Jeff ran his own hockey skills clinics for 5 years. He also conducts private lessons, specializing in working with goalies but also helping forwards and defense sharpen their skills, while developing a better hockey knowledge for the specific positions and the game.
Along with working with the Jr Seahawks, this season, Jeff is also the general manager and assistant coach for the UNC Wilmington women’s ice hockey club. Prior to this season, Jeff was the head coach for the UNCW men’s ice hockey club, where they completed their most successful season going 18 - 1 through the regular season, qualifying for conference playoffs and a berth in the ACHA regional tournament.
10U Coaches
Jack Vorndran
Head Coach
Jack was born and raised in Canton, Ohio, where he began playing hockey at the age of four with the Canton-Akron Penguins. Jack continued playing through high school, and while college and career responsibilities eventually pulled him away from the game, hockey never stopped being a part of who he is.
In 2021, Jack's family relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina. When his oldest son began his hockey journey at age six through a Learn to Play program, he found himself back on the ice as well—this time behind the bench. What started as volunteering with the Learn to Play program quickly grew into coaching at the house and travel levels.
Jack served as an assistant coach for the Carolina Thunder 8U team during its inaugural season and was later honored to be named head coach of the 10U program for the past two seasons. Leading athletes at this level has been incredibly rewarding.
Robert Curylo
Assistant Coach
Wesley Kinney
Assistant Coach
Zach Verska
Assistant Coach
12U Coaches
Jeremy Leclaire
Head Coach
Jeremy was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and grew up in Central New York, where he discovered his passion for hockey at age 5. He played for youth teams like the Center State Stampede and Cazenovia Lakers, developing his skills and forming friendships. Now at 34, Jeremy still plays the game of hockey leveraging his extensive experience to embody sportsmanship on the ice.
In addition to playing, Jeremy has dedicated the last four years to coaching youth hockey, at the 10U and 8U levels. His coaching style is built on three fundamental rules: respect, attitude and effort. He instills the importance of respect for players, coaches, referees, and parents at every rink, maintaining a positive attitude whenever they step foot on the ice, and giving 100% effort in every practice and game.
Brock Ballard
Assistant Coach
Mel Vanterpool
Assistant Coach
Bruce Long
Assistant Coach
14U Coaches
Mike Kaplinski
Head Coach
Mike is a native of Jackson, Michigan where he began his hockey journey at the age of 3 and continued playing travel hockey up to Midget AA level. Mike has been in the United Sates Marine Corps for the past 13 years and still plays in local leagues wherever the military takes him and his family. Mike was the assistant coach for the ’23 - 24 12U Teal Wilmington Jr. Seahawks. With Mike’s love for the game of hockey and nearly 30 years of experience playing, he is committed to bringing his wealth of knowledge to the 14U Wilmington Jr. Seahawks.
Keith Markfield
Assistant Coach
Greg Motley
Assistant Coach
16U Coaches
Rob Germano
Head Coach
Coach Rob was born in New York on Long Island and played travel hockey starting at 6 years old and continued through high school. In the early 1970's he attended his first NHL Game with his Dad and it ignited his passion for hockey. He began playing on Long Island at age 6 and then moved to Arizona at age 7 playing Travel Hockey throughout the Western United States. In 1982 at age 13 he returned to Long Island to play Tier 1 Travel Hockey for The Long Island Gulls from 14U through Juniors. Upon returning from Arizona he also played Varsity High School Hockey at Massapequa High School for five years from 8th Grade until Senior Year.
His Coaching career began 20 years ago in 2006 beginning at the Mite Level and proceeding every year all the way through Juniors. Just as his Dad took Coach Rob to his first NHL Game in the early 1970's, Coach Rob took his son to his first NHL Game in the early 2000's. That same love of the game was there with his son and it began Coach Rob's Coaching career that still continues to this day. Coach Rob wanted to pass on his experience, knowledge of the game and life lessons to a new generation of players.
Coach Rob will emphasize Player Development, Skills and most importantly the aspect of working together as a Team. He is committed to drawing out the best in each Player and preparing them not only for the game of Hockey but their development as individuals.
18U Coaches
Derek Yuengling
Head Coach
Derek grew up in New York on Long Island and played travel hockey starting at 6 years old and continued to high school. Then he played high school hockey doing all four years on varsity. Derek played hockey in college for Long Island University. He started coaching seven years ago with the last two years being here in Wilmington. Along with skills, Derek stresses to the players the importance of playing as a unit and not an individual.
