We are pleased to share with you that we now have a team of dedicated hockey professionals working with ACYHA to further develop our philosophy of hockey development and coach our coaches on that philosophy. We have taken these concrete steps for all of our players — Mites/U8’s through Bantams/U15’s — to create more consistency and structure. This includes the development of a coaches practice manual.

The following coaches will have contact with teams and coaches 2 to 3 times per month, including some games. They will be providing feedback on practice planning, practice tempo and game performance. We're excited for the next level of ACYHA hockey!

Director of Travel Hockey Operations  
Dan Charleston
Dan Charleston has been the head coach for the Armstrong/Cooper Wings Boys High School program for the past eight years. He has had a lengthy career as a player, winning two Minnesota boys high school state hockey championships followed by three years playing in the USHL and four years at the Division 1 University of Nebraska Omaha (WCHA). He began a professional career as a member of both the Detroit Red Wings and the New Jersey Devils franchises, rounding out his career in Europe. Charleston has been an active leader in providing many player development opportunities for both boys and girls hockey in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois.

Adam Kragthorpe
Adam Kragthorpe is a graduate of the Armstrong High School hockey program. After playing two years in the USHL, Kragthorpe committed to playing college hockey at the University of Wisconsin - River Falls where he was honored as an All American and Player of the Year. Following his college career, Kragthorpe turned pro playing in the UHL for the Quad City Mallards. He has been coaching and teaching hockey for over 15 years, a lead instructor for Impact Hockey providing outstanding player development instruction and is also a CSCS Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach.

Ryan King 
Ryan King has been coaching alongside Coach Charleston for the Armstrong/Cooper Wings Boys High School program for the past five years. He has also spent that time coaching player development in the ACYHA through summer STP, fall skills camps, and in-season skill training. King is a Level 5 USA Hockey Certified Master Coach, was a lead instructor for Top Dog Hockey Development Camps for three years and has 12 years of coaching experience in the Minnetonka, Orono, and Armstrong programs.

Director of Mite Hockey Operations
Thomas Johnson  
Thomas Johnson is a career hockey coach, instructor, and trainer. He is beginning his 12th season coaching high school hockey and his seventh season working as Buffalo High School assistant and defensemen coach. Johnson is a lead instructor of Buffalo STP, training hockey players from mites through high school. He works as the District 5 Minnesota Hockey High Performance and Tier I/II general manager and coach. Johnson graduated from Robbinsdale Armstrong High School and the University of Minnesota.