Coach Biographies 25-26 Season
Sean “Sully” Sullivan (Director of Player Development)
Sean has played organized hockey for 19 years. Sean played Junior A Hockey in both the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL) for the Philadelphia Revolution, as well as the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) for the Collingwood Blackhawks. In his collegiate career, Sean played for SUNY Cortland in the SUNYAC and then went on to play as a member of the Federal Hockey League (FHL) for the Brewster Bulldogs and Cornwall Nationals.
Sean has coached for over 15 years working with all ages and skill levels. Throughout his years of playing and instructing, Sean has gained valuable coaching experience. Sean privately runs lessons, group lessons and clinics on and off the ice. This experience has led Sean to being one of the most sought after coaches in the area. Sean’s passion on the ice translates to the players he coaches, ensuring each player reaches their full potential while having the best on-ice experience.
Cathie Bonner (Skating Coach)
Cathie has been a professional skating instructor for more than thirty years, teaching everyone from young children to children with special needs to adults. Cathie is also a hockey coach for the development program at Rippowam School. Skating is her passion and she has taught and directed at numerous rinks in both New York and Connecticut. Her three children all played hockey; her son played his entire career with RAHA and her two daughters played throughout prep school and college. Cathie lives in Ridgefield with her family, where her son is a Ridgefield firefighter. She enjoys spending time with her children and defrosting at the lake.
Kevin Perlowitz (Bantam AA)
Coach Kevin grew up in Westchester County and just recently moved to Ridgefield in 2020. He has played hockey his whole life, started playing mini mites club hockey with the White Plains Plainsman, then the Harvey Cavaliers, Westchester Vipers and finally the Yonkers Kings. He played both forward and defense in high school for the Pleasantville-Westlake Ice Cats (now Mount Pleasant) winning 3 league championships and named league MVP senior year, and still holds the school record for points. Kevin played two years of college club hockey at SUNY Albany, ACHA Division 3, winning a MET conference championship and bids to the national tournament both years. Kevin has been coaching with Ridgefield since 2021 and in 2022 he led the Squirt AA team to win a CT State Tier 3 title, EJEPL Gold Title, and The New England Tier 3 Regional Title. Prior to joining the Lions Kevin coached for the Westchester Vipers and loves the chance to develop young hockey players and teach them about the game he loves. Kevin lives in Ridgefield with his wife and 4 year old daughter.
Troy Perlowitz (Bantam AA Asst Coach)
Coach Troy has been involved with the sport of hockey his entire life having grown up playing with the White Plains Plainsman, then the Harvey Cavaliers and finally the Westchester Vipers where he captained the 2004 Bantam team to the New York State Tier III championship. He played in high school for the Ossining Riverhawks winning 2 league championships and earning Section I First-Team honors as both a junior and senior. Troy played both defense and forward for two seasons of college club hockey at the University of Maryland where he also worked in the athletic department. A career with ESPN’s Stats & Information Group brought him to Connecticut where he now works for Stathletes, a hockey analytics company that statistically breaks down multiple facets of a player's game, providing unique and accurate insights into their performance. Troy and his fiancée Sara, who is a Spanish teacher at Guilford High School, reside in Middletown CT.
Pete Bafundo (Bantam A)
Coach Pete is a staple within the RAHA program. He has experience coaching at the U12, U14, U16 and U18 levels and 6 of those years were in the RAHA program. Coach Pete attended Siena College in Albany NY where he was a 4 year starter. He is a USA Hockey Level 4 Coach and also refereed hockey for 10 years before prior to his coaching career. When asked, Coach Pete will tell you the reason he got into coaching was to make more of an impact on the players development on and off the ice. Coach Pete finds it extremely rewarding to watch someone master a skill or concept and apply them into game situations. When asked about his philosophy, Coach Pete says “I wouldn’t say that I have a specific philosophy, I believe you have to adapt to each season. My motto is Attitude, Effort, and Focus. Three things that each player needs to bring to every practice and game for us to be successful. I don’t judge success as how many wins or losses there are. Is the team better at the end of the year? That is my goal. I am dedicated and committed to the team and families. Coaching is something that is very important to me. I don’t miss practices or games and always show up very prepared for both. I expect the kids to work hard and have fun. Fun while playing hockey is also very important to me. Attendance is also something that is very important for us to be successful as a team.”
Adam Chwick (Bantam A1)
Adam grew up in Rye Brook, NY, where he played competitive hockey from the age of 7 thru 17. He competed for a number of teams including the White Plains Plainsmen, New Rochelle Lightning, Ramapo Saints and various elite summer teams. Prior to college, Adam played Midget AAA Major for the Saints in the AYHL. During high school, Adam played in the inaugural year of the Rye Town Titans Varsity team and was a member of the undefeated league champions in 2003. Adam grew up in a hockey family, (his 2 siblings also played competitive hockey), and as a result was a true “rink rat”. He is excited to continue that lifestyle and give back to the Lions. He currently lives in Armonk with his wife, and two daughters, who have begun their own hockey adventures.
Rob Miller (Peewee AA & U18 Tier 2)
Coach Rob has been part of the RAHA coaching staff for three years and brings with him years of hockey experience in many different facets of the game. He played Division III college hockey at Salem State University followed by a career playing professional hockey in the Southern Professional Hockey League. Once his playing career was over, he dedicated his time at the rink to coaching high school hockey in New Jersey, junior hockey in Massachusetts, and was the Head Coach and Team President of the Brooklyn Aviators that competed in the Federal Hockey League (professional). Throughout the summers in his college and professional playing days, he was the Head Hockey Skills Instructor for camps in Minnesota, New York and New Hampshire. Rob lives in Ridgefield with his wife Melissa and their two children, Carson and Sloane.
Vin Rella (Peewee A)
Vin began his hockey journey with RAHA, starting as a first-year Mite and continuing through his second year as a Bantam and first joined the RAHA coaching staff for the 2024-2025 season. After his time playing youth hockey at RAHA, Vin played for Ridgefield High School, where he served as co-captain and helped lead the Tigers to back-to-back FCIAC championships. Following high school, Vin attended Fairfield University, where he played for the school’s club hockey team and also joined the club rugby team. As a rugby player, he earned all-conference honors and contributed to the team’s first conference championship and top-10 national rankings. After college, Vin spent two years coaching hockey in the DC area before returning to Connecticut. With a positive attitude and a passion for the game, Vin is excited to be back with the RAHA family for the 25-26 season.
Billy Casolo (Peewee A Asst. Coach)
Billy grew up playing hockey in CT since he was 4 years old. In high school, Billy was team captain and 1st team All-State and FCIAC selection for both ice hockey and baseball. He graduated from Williams College in 2002 where he was team captain of the baseball team and went on to play baseball professionally in Europe. Billy has coached ice-hockey for over 20 years. He was a lead instructor for the STR hockey department under the tutelage of Mike Backman, former New York Ranger, and he was also an assistant coach for the NC Rams Girls Varsity ice hockey team for 9 years, recently winning an FCIAC and State championship. Billy is well versed in the USA hockey ADM model and has great pleasure in creating fun and creative practice plans to best develop his players skills and confidence. Billy has a masters degree in education and currently resides in Ridgefield with his wife Emily and two hockey playing sons - Drew and Paxson.
Cody Kopf (Peewee B)
Cody Kopf grew up in Westchester County, New York skating for a variety of ice hockey programs. He began playing at five years old as a Mini Mite with the Bedford Bears and continued competitive hockey with The Westchester Express and Brewster Bulldogs. He began his high school career as an 8th grader skating for John Jay Cross River’s varsity team, spending his offseason playing for the Movie Time Monsters in competitive showcases. He attended the University of Tampa where he proudly wore the Assistant Captain sweater and helped to develop their first ice hockey team which is now part of the SCHC. Cody comes from a family of huge New York Rangers fans and enjoys helping his nephews develop their own games on and off the ice.
Luke Welsh (Squirt AA)
Coach Luke joined the coaching staff at RAHA for the 2024-25 season and has been a part of the RAHA family most of his life. Coach Luke played organized hockey for 17 years across Canada and the United States. He moved to Ridgefield when he was young, where he and his family quickly got involved in the Ridgefield Hockey programs. Luke then went on to play for 8 years at the AAA level before returning to play varsity at RHS for sophomore through senior year. During this time he volunteered at the Winter Garden as a part of the Learn to Skate program. He also spent several years of his high school career coaching the Ridgefield Jaguars where he was dedicated to keeping his players active and developing their skills. Post high school Luke played club hockey at Queen's University for 4 years and now plans to bring his extensive experience, passion for the game, and dedication to player development to the RAHA community. His journey from a young Ridgefield hockey player to a coach embodies the spirit and commitment that is the RAHA culture. He is excited to bring forward the same enthusiasm and commitment that defined his playing and coaching career thus far.
Michael Conciatore (Squirt AA - Asst Coach)
Coach Mike “Conch” is amongst the newest coaches joining the program this upcoming season, but is not new to the RAHA family. Mike has played hockey for 16 years in the Southern Connecticut area. He grew up in Ridgefield, where he learned to skate at the Winter Garden and first started hockey with the Jaguars and Lions. Conch played AA hockey with the Lions, CT Barons, and the Western Jr. Colonials for youth before coming back to RHS playing varsity sophomore to senior year. During his time playing high school hockey, he coached multiple Ridgefield Jaguar house teams where he learned how to lead his players and develop their skills. Conch has been the play-by-play announcer for the RHS boys hockey team for the past 4 years and is no stranger to the game or to the Ridgefield hockey community. He has even announced many RAHA games throughout all levels! Conch plans to bring his hockey expertise, experience, passion for the game, and commitment to player development to the RAHA community. He is excited to bring his enthusiastic attitude and dedication to the game that has shaped his hockey career to this point.
Michele Gintoli (Squirt A)
Michele comes from a big hockey family with an extensive history of playing and coaching. After graduating Kent School in ‘06, she started coaching youth hockey in ‘07 during sophomore year of college. After gaining years of experience with coaching clinics, youth travel, and girls high school hockey, Michele joined RAHA in 2016 and has been with the squirt level since 2017. In addition to RAHA, Michele was recently promoted to head coach of Wilton/Norwalk/McMahon girls varsity hockey co-op after joining as an assistant coach in 2020.
Michele is also involved with the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association as a coach for the summer hockey school as well as co-captain of the women’s national deaf team since 2017. Michele is also co-captain of her local women’s team, the Danbury Battle Axes, and also plays on various co-ed teams. She resides in Danbury and works for Nuvance as a Physical Therapist Assistant.
Zella Ertl (Squirt B)
Zella has been part of the Winter Garden community for over 18 years. She grew up playing with the Ridgefield Lady Lions and the Ridgefield Jaguars. In high school, Zella played with the Ridgefield High School Girls Varsity team and the Brewster Bulldogs, while working at Top Shelf Hockey and volunteering with Learn to Skate programs at the Winter Garden. Zella joined the RAHA coaching staff in the 2024-2025 season after returning home from Queen’s University. Currently, she is a law student at Pace University and is excited to be back with the Ridgefield hockey family and coaching the game she loves!
Sammy Wyland (Squirt B - Asst Coach)
Sammy Wyland’s passion for hockey began at the young age of five, setting the foundation for a lifelong love of the game. He honed his skills early on through competitive travel hockey, playing for teams such as the Altoona Trackers and the Mid-State Mustangs in Pennsylvania. At the high school level, Sammy played for the Altoona Mountain Lions Varsity Hockey team and spent his spare time coaching young players through the Pittsburgh Penguins' “Learn to Skate” program, helping to develop their skills.
After high school, Sammy was scouted and moved to Connecticut to join the Hartford Jr. Wolfpack in the USPHL, continuing to develop his game at a higher level. He also spent time with the Connecticut Nighthawks during his junior career.
Though his competitive playing days are behind him, Sammy remains active in the game, hitting the ice weekly with his men’s league team, the "Trash Pandas", keeping his passion for hockey alive.
TJ Cline (Mite Black)
TJ has over 25 years of coaching experience across all levels and ages. TJ is a premier skill development & shooting coach who focuses on mechanics and fundamentals. Coach Cline is the hockey development director for Top Shelf Hockey in Ridgefield and currently owns and operates the Hockey Shop at the Winter Garden Ice Arena in Ridgefield CT. TJ grew up in Buffalo NY where he played youth & Junior College hockey for the ECC Kats(NJCAA). TJ was recruited to Manhattanville College (NCAA lll) where he played and graduated in 2004. After college TJ played a few years semi-pro for the New England Stars (NEHL), Valley Forge Freedom (MAHL) and the Hudson Valley Bears (EPHL). TJ resides in CT and has been involved in and or around hockey his entire life and continues giving back to the game he loves!
Shayne Bingham (Mite Yellow)
Coach Shayne Bingham returns to the ice for the Ridgefield Lions for another season with the Mites! Bringing years of experience from playing competitive hockey in college and juniors, he hopes to impact the program with enthusiasm and passion for the game. Coach Bingham understands the importance of how practice translates to the game and wants to help young hockey players establish good habits at an early age and make sure they have fun every single time they step onto the ice.
Coach Bingham initially joined the program right after Covid, beginning with small 1-on-1 lessons at Winter Garden during the early hours of the day and then joining as the Mite C coach for his first year. After three seasons coaching the Mites here in Ridgefield at the A, B, and C levels, he is excited to return to the program and continue where he left off. Shayne grew up being coached by his father, Gary Bingham, who also helped grow the program at RAHA a few years back. He hopes to continue the trend of hockey development and advocacy for the program by making sure each kid on the ice ends the year better than when they started and eager for more.
"I cannot wait to be back on the ice with the kids and teach them how to play the game that I love. GO LIONS!" - Coach Shayne
Ashley Trimble (Mite White / Girls Hockey)
Hailing from Ottawa, Ontario, Ashley brings a wealth of experience as both a player and coach to the Ridgefield Lions. Her impressive playing career includes serving as Team Captain for the National Capitals in Ottawa from 1995 to 1998 and winning the New England Championship with Brewster Academy in 2002. At Manhattanville College, Ashley's talent shone brightly as she earned All-American honors twice and led her team to four ECAC East Championships and two NCAA Division III National Championship finals. As a coach, Ashley has achieved Level 4 USA Hockey certification and guided the Mamaroneck Ice Cats U14 team to a State Championship in 2008-2009. Her coaching experience spans various age groups, including U14, U16, and U19 teams, and she has been involved in prestigious development programs such as the Empire State Games and New York State Camp. Ashley's commitment to hockey extends beyond coaching, as she is also a Level 3 USA Hockey Referee. Her combination of leadership, athletic achievement, and coaching expertise makes her an invaluable asset to our program.
Melissa Miller (Girls Hockey)
Melissa started her skating career as a competitive figure skater in singles and synchronized skating. After spending so much time on the ice, she decided to trade in her figure skates for hockey skates. She played with the Quarry Cats Women’s Team in Montclair, NJ and other teams around the area. She has coached skaters of all ages in house league, learn to skate, and learn to play. Previously, she has worked with the NY Rangers as a member of the On Ice Blue Crew, Junior Rangers Learn to Play coach, and youth hockey camp instructor. As a coach, she has Level 1 USA Hockey certification. For Melissa, the best part of being on the ice is watching children learn and develop their skills while building sportsmanship, making new friends and having fun!