Coaches
On Ice Coaches
“Coaches are good, coaches are great, coaches taught me how to skate.”
Natty Hatty has been forming and elevating its coaching staff for over a decade. We strive to have good attitudes all the way around the ice, in order to attract like minded athletes willing to put the work in. Always approachable with a common interest for the best atmosphere for athletes to thrive.
Kelly Stirzel
Coach Kelly has over a decade of coaching experience in the Los Angeles hockey community. He’s trained players from of all ages and skill levels from mites all the way up
to the NHL. While mentoring numerous players, coach Kelly has helped many reach their goals of playing at AAA, Varsity Prep, Junior, Division 1 & USA National Development programs.
Christian Liatos
Coach Christian played ten years of AAA hockey in the MWEHL during his youth hockey career. At the age of 18, Christian was drafted first pick overall for The Peoria Mustangs Jr A Hockey Club. When his career came to an end. Christian continued to work along side his father Coach Gus Liatos in Illinois. Together, they’ve both helped numerous players reach the AAA level, USHL, Division 1 & NHL.
Benjamin Rubin
Coach Benjamin has played over 10 years of professional hockey in Europe. United States and Canada. He’s played in seven leagues over the course of his career including the QMJHL, QJHL, AJHL, CIS Ontario University Athletic Union, France, & SPHL. The skating ability, experience, & passion Coach Benjamin brings to the ice every day is an attribute all players & coaches around him can truly appreciate.
Andrei Runsto
Coach Andrei has dedicated his time over the past 20 years to growing youth hockey in California. Andrei played in five different leagues including Belarus, EEHL, France, WCHL and the UHL. Andrei’s son Timothy has played AAA for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings for the past two seasons and has been drafted to the WHL . His focus has been on athletes at the AA and AAA levels, helping them understand the game both on and off the ice.
Isaac Anderson
Coach Isaac is a North Dakota native and has been playing hockey since age three. In his career, he played U16 Tier 1 AAA hockey for the Colorado Rampage under respected coaches Andrew Sherman and Pat Bingham. Isaac moved to California in 2019 and attends California State University Northridge, while playing for their Division 2 ACHA program.
Zach Carnes
Coach Zach grew up playing Tier hockey for OC and the Jr. Ducks. He was fortunate enough to be on successful teams winning the State Championship twice and going to Nationals 4 times in his youth career. Coach Zach continued playing for the CSUN Matadors where his successes continued winning the conference title twice, and earning trips to regionals both years.
Nick Rashkovsky
Coach Nick a California Native who grew up playing AAA hockey before heading to prep school with Vermont Academy. Nick Then went on to play in the NCDC for the Twin City Thunder. After juniors, Nick committed to playing Division 3 hockey at Williams College in Massachusetts. During his off-season, Nick returns home to California to give back to the game. Nick is constantly helping our plavers understand the options the can pursue in their careers.
Goaltending Coaches
goalies are different, goalies stop pucks, sometimes they blow up and give no f****.
We know the difference between a goalie, a coach, and a goalie coach. We prioritize having them and make an extra effort to pass the mic during dryland workouts and film room sessions for their unique perspective and flexibility towards the sport.
Danny Vitale
Coach Danny was raised on hockey: five a.m. practices in New York snowstorms, glued to the TV watching NHL games, driving all over New England on the way to the next tournament. Danny played travel, juniors, and finally NCAA at Amherst College in
Massachusetts where ehe won two NESCAC championships and mad two Frozen Four appearances.
Blake Sprow
Coach Blake played youth hockey for the California Heat from ages 4-15 before playing the rest of his youth career at the AAA level for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings and winning a state championship. He then went to play two years of juniors in both Pueblo, Colorado and Edmond, Oklahoma. Blake has now turned his focus to coaching and developing the next generation of goaltenders.
Strength & Conditioning
Mike likes lifting, Mike likes weights, Mike makes it look like hes walking on skates.
Any kid not conscious of the training it takes to succeed at the next level in this game or any other facet of life for that matter will be left behind when they get there. Not that we look to obsess over prioritizing a good time but in the end your only gonna get out what youre willing to put in. As long as there is heart, there is a workout to be had.
Mike Devaney
With over 20 years of experience in strength in conditioning Coach Mike brings a wealth of knowledge and hands on practical experience to Natty Hatty Camps. Coach Mike discovered a love for health and training age 16 and never looked back. After playing D1 baseball as a short stop at Long Beach he stayed on staff for three years as a strength and conditioning coach for the athletic program. He’s helped a variety of athletes reach their top potential in their respective sports, many of whom reached the highest possible levels or Major League Baseball and the Olympics. Once moving on from Long Beach Coach Mike started multiple CrossFit gyms (currently owns CrossFit Darkhorse in Sherman Oaks) and has coached a wide array of high level athletes looking to make is splash in the sports world.
