Jeff Mielnicki.....Coach Mel. 

PRESIDENT CHERRY CREEK HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

HEAD COACH VARSITY PREP MAJOR AA / CHSAA VARSITY

13th Season CHSAA Varsity Head Coach

2025 Head Coach USA Hockey High School Nationals

2025 Head Coach CHSAA Varsity Frozen Four

2024 Head Coach CHSAA Varsity Frozen Four

2024-2020 Team Colorado NIT Minnesota Assistant Coach

2024-2019 Boston Junior Rangers NCDC / USPHL Premier Midwest / Rocky Mountain Head Scout

2023 Pueblo Bulls NCDC Rocky Mountain Scout

2015 Head Coach CHSAA State Champion 

2015 Head Coach USA Hockey High School National Champion

CHSAA Varsity Head Coach 2014-2015-2017-2023 Frozen Four Appearances 

USA Hockey Level 4 CEP.

Cherry Creek Baseball Diamond Club President (12 Years)

President PinchHitters For Youth Foundation.

2018 National Federation of High School Regional Coach of the Year.

2018 Cherry Creek Baseball Hall of Fame Team Induction ( Head Coach 2012 Don Mattingly World Series National Champion.)

2018 President Colorado High School Ice Hockey Coaches Association

2017 President Colorado High School Ice Hockey Coaches Association

2017 Head Coach Team Colorado Pittsburgh Showcase 

2015 Colorado Male Coach of the Year Xfinity Sports Award               

2015 Coach Inductee Cherry Creek High School Baseball Hall of Fame 

Head Coach at Arapahoe Hockey Association for 14 Years.

Ralph Bammert is a Cherry Creek Hockey Association and CHSAA Team Manager. Ralph is the CCHA Registrar and Safe Sport Coordinator.

Ralph has been a Director for USA Hockey for many years and is also the High Plains League President and serves as the Vice President of High School Hockey for CAHA and the Colorado Prep Hockey League.

Ralph is also USA Hockey National Risk Manager and is a member of the USA Hockey Disabled Section.

2025-2020 Team Colorado NIT Minnesota General Manager.

Ralph is also a part of the Team Colorado Coaching Staff that participates in the America's Showcase in Dallas and St. Louis.

2019 Asst Coach and Team Manager Team Colorado White St Louis Showcase

2018 Head Coach Team Colorado White St. Louis Showcase

2017 Head Coach Team Colorado White Pittsburgh Showcase

Ralph has also previously coached with the Littleton Hockey Association for 12 years.

Rob Flay returns for his 7th season as Associate Head Coach V-Prep Major AA / CHSAA Varsity Assistant Coach.

With more than 20 years of coaching experience, Coach Flay is extremely excited to return for his 7th season with the Bruins.  His coaching experience includes coaching at the Midget Major AA, AAA, Junior A Tier !!!, and College Club levels.  His teams have won League and State Titles and competed at the Regional level.  Former players of Coach Flay have gone on to play at the Junior, NCAA Div I, Div III and Professional levels.  

A California native, Coach Flay started playing at the age of 3 and played at the AA, AAA levels which included State and Western Regional Titles and multiple appearances at Nationals.  His playing experience also includes competing at the Quebec International Peewee Tournament, College Club and Professional Roller Hockey levels. 

Coach Flay is committed to bring his passion for the game and passion for player development to the Bruins’ organization to help prepare players for the next level as well as for life after high school and hockey.

Coach Flay has been happy to call Colorado home for the past 14 years and lives with his wife, Marie and two boys, Luke and Logan.

Ryan Bammert begins his 13th season year as a Varsity Prep Major AA and CHSAA Assistant Coach and 14th overall where he began with Coach Mel at Arapahoe and brings a competitive spirit to every game. Ryan was part of our State and National Championship Coaching Staff.

Ryan is a Paramedic with the city of Aurora and was recently nominated for Paramedic of the Year for his lifesaving efforts. Ryan has also earned Dairy Max CHSAA Assistant Coach of the month awards.

 A graduate of the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Ryan spends his free time with his beautiful girlfriend Nicole and 2 dogs Koda and Waffles.

Matt McGregor begins his 5th Season with our Coaching Staff. Matt will transition to the Varsity Prep Major AA/ CHSAA Varsity Assistant Coach after 3 seasons as Head Coach of the Varsity Prep NAPHL Makar T1 / CHSAA JV Team. Matt is also Cherry Creeks High Plains Director of Operations.

Matt has been a Varsity Head Coach at Columbine and will bring his passion and coaching experience to the Bruins in the 2025-2026 season.

I grew up playing hockey competitive locally and extremely excited to bring what I have learned to grow the sport and develop players.

I developed as a young player through Denver University’s youth Hockey program, the Jr. Pioneers, Colorado Jr. Eagles & Colorado Thunderbirds AAA.

I also played competitive Lacrosse for Cherry Creek youth until the decision was made to pursue hockey.

After graduating from ThunderRidge HS in 2007 I moved to Spokane, WA to play Junior hockey in the NPHL where I served as a captain in my third season with the club. I then moved to Bloomington MN to play in the MNJHL using a lot of the lessons I learned along the way in my coaching today.

From 2017-2020 I held the position as Assistant Director of a local youth hockey program until making the decision to use the skills I learned to run the Columbine HS hockey program.

Along the way I have had the chance to meet and create great relationships with coaches and players which have also led to the opportunity to coach at high level showcases.

I have served as a bench coach/scout for: CCM Showcase Denver CO, and Air Force Academy Hockey showcase. I have also been a part of Colorado Prep Hockey League’s (CPHL) “Team Colorado” where we select top HS players from around the state to compete in St. Louis at the America's Showcase.

My goals for HS hockey is to represent the school and community with Integrity, Pride & Passion.

Our student athletes will be knowledgeable and cognitive about not only the game we love, but the bigger picture of what it truly means to be a hockey player.

Toby Petersen returns to our Coaching Staff for his 4th Season as CCHA Hockey Operations Director and CHSAA Varsity Special Teams Coordinator. Coach Petersen  will assist all CCHA and CHSAA Teams.

Coach Petersen will bring a passion of teaching skills and game strategies along with Special Teams Coordination for our Teams.

Toby's NHL playing career included 398 games with the Pittsburg Penguins, Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars.

Collegiate career; Division 1 Hockey at Colorado College. 4 Year Letterman amassing 128 Points. 

International experience; US World Junior (Geneva '97, Helsinki '98). US World Championships (Moscow '97)

Coaching career; 6 Season in AHL with Springfield, Cleveland and Rochester.

Joe Sadozai returns for his 8th season as an assistant coach for Varsity Prep Major AA and V-Prep Makar T1. He brings 25 years of coaching experience with the Littleton Hockey Association, Arapahoe Hockey Association, and Denver University Hockey Association.

Joe Sadozai returns for his 8th season as an assistant coach for Varsity Prep Major AA and V-Prep Makar T1. He brings 25 + years of coaching experience with the Littleton Hockey Association, Arapahoe Hockey Association, and Denver University Hockey Association.

Coach Connor is excited to be starting his 3rd season with the Bruins. Connor brings years of elite level coaching experience after coaching and volunteering at the AAA and Tier 1 Junior Level.

Connor is a native of Woodbury, Minnesota where he played High School hockey. After high school Coach Connor started working and eventually found his way back to hockey after moving to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Coach Connor imbedded himself into the community working with players, coaches and programs alike with the goal of growing the game in the state.

While coaching in the midwest Coach Connor worked with South Dakota Player Development s well as the Northern Plains district in selecting players for the USA Hockey national camps. This also propelled coach Connor into volunteer positions at the Tier 1 and Tier 2 junior hockey levels.

Coach Connor’s coaching philosophy is to teach the game rather than coach the game. Using a constraint based teaching/learning method can allow players to expand and explore the limits of their skill allowing them to quilt acquire new skills while linking their old skills together and improving them all as a whole. This will allow us to implement systems and tactics allowing players to identify the game easier and adapt to their environment quicker as the game changes drastically in the game of hockey. This will also allow us to utilize situations and isolate them to explore and understand them better which will lead to more constructive habits and life skills for when hockey ultimately comes to and end.

• Coaching Experience
• - Cherry Creek (CO) High School JV Head Coach - 2025 to Present
• - Cherry Creek (CO) High School Varsity 1 & JV 1 Assistant Coach - 2023 to 2025
• - Sioux Falls Stampede USHL Volunteer Coach - 2020 to 2023
• - Sioux Falls (SD) POWER Tier 1 AAA 15o/16u Assistant Coach - 2022 to 2023
• - Sioux Falls (SD) POWER Tier 1 AAA 14u Head Coach/15o & 18u Assistant Coach - 2021 to 2022
• - Team South Dakota (SD) u16 Tier II - Head Coach - 2020 to 2021
• - Sioux Falls (SD) Flyers Varsity 2 - Head Coach - 2019 to 2021
• - Sioux Falls (SD) Flyers Bantam Blue 2 - Head Coach - 2018 to 2019
• - Sioux Falls (SD) Flyers Peewee Gold - Head Coach - 2017 to 2018 
• Accreditations:
• - 2021 SDAHA Varsity State Championship 3rd Place
• - 2021 USA Hockey 16u Tier II National Championship Runner-Up
• - 2019 SDAHA Bantam “A” State Champion
• - Level 5 USA Hockey Coach - Since 2022
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Coach Connor resides in Littleton with his with Katie and dog Romeo. 

Hunter Fieweger begins his 2nd season as CC Makar T1 / CHSAA JV Red Assistant Coach.

Hunter is a dedicated and passionate Coach with a strong background in both hockey and sports performance. Born and raised in Aurora, Colorado, Hunter played travel hockey during his early years and was a Captain on the Cherry Creek Varsity Team.

His love for the sport continued at the collegiate level, where he played for Grand Canyon University’s hockey team while earning a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Sports and Exercise Performance.

Hunter is a Lead Instructor at Team Speed working with our Cherry Creek players to provide a disciplined Off-Ice Training curriculum.

Cherry Creek Welcomes Kenny Ruiz as Assistant Coach CC Makar T1 / CHSAA JV Red.

Coach Ruiz is excited to bring his passion for Coaching to Cherry Creek.

Kenny Ruiz Coaching Philosophy:

I believe in coaching young men and women to become the best versions of themselves. Creating a culture of encouragement with no negative attitudes. Winning is important but it is more imperative that we are creating young men and women to be contributing members of society. Learning to handle adversity while supporting one another. 

Coaching Experience

2021-2024 Richardson/Rockwall JV Head Coach

2022-2024 Richardson/Rockwall Varsity Assistant Coach

2022-2023 Richardson/Rockwall JV Head Coach -League Champions

2019-2020 Odessa Jr. Jacks Goalie Coach

2016-2018 Amarillo Jr. Bulls Goalie Coach

2014-2016 DSMHL Head Coach 

20010-2012 Fresno State University ACHA DIII Goalie Coach

Instructional Experience

2015-Current Owner/Director Prospect Goalie Development

Certifications

USA Hockey Level 5 Coach

USA Hockey Level 4 Official

USA Hockey Bronze Goalie Certification

2018 NHL Global Coaches Clinic

2024 NHL Global Coaches Clinic

Playing Experience

2002-2007 Fresno State University ACHA DIII

2004-2008 Emergency Back Up Goaltender and Practice Goalie

Fresno Falcons- ECHL 2004-2008

Victoria Salmon Kings- ECHL 2006

Ontario Reign- ECHL 2008

Hobbies/Interests

I have a wife Lisa and two children. Our son Grant (2009) will be playing for the 16U AAA Colorado Thunderbirds in the Tier 1 Elite League for the 2025-2026 season. My Daughter is in middle school and is involved in Cheer, Volleyball, & Basketball. In my free time I like to golf and spend time with my family. 

Cherry Creek welcomes Carl Carter as Head Coach CPHL Royal / CHSAA JV Royal.

Born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, Coach Carter played his minor hockey in the competitive GTHL and later competed at the Senior Men's level in Alberta. He also served as President of the SBHL in Ontario for five years—demonstrating an early commitment to leadership and youth development in the game.

Coach Carter is a Level 4 USA Hockey certified coach, dedicated to continual growth and excellence behind the bench. Most recently, he spent two seasons coaching at Valor Christian Hockey, where he helped guide the team to a CPHL Championship. He’s also actively involved with Krivo Hockey School, coaching alongside his son Easton, who plays in the 8U program.

Now living in Parker, Colorado with his wife Abbie and their Doberman, Gordie, Coach Carter brings a philosophy centered on fun, passion, and daily improvement. He emphasizes being a great teammate, loving the process, and never giving up on your dreams. His guiding mantra—“chop wood and carry water”—reminds players that true success is built on consistent effort and humility.

A proud Edmonton Oilers fan, Coach Carter has visited 20 of the NHL’s 32 arenas and plans to see them all.

He is grateful to Coach Mel for the opportunity to help Bruins Hockey continue to grow and is committed to supporting each player on their journey—both on and off the ice.

Cherry Creek welcomes Cameron Bartkoski as Assistant Coach CPHL Royal / CHSAA JV Royal.

Cameron brings his passion for the game from the Dallas Stars Hockey Program.

Cameron played NCAA Hockey at Utica University graduating magna cum laude and was a UCHC Men's All - Academic team 4 consecutive years.

Cameron's playing career also included the Dallas Penguins, Dallas Stars Elite, Philadelphia Little Flyers EHL and the Amarillo Bulls NAHL.

" I fell in love with hockey as a kid thanks to my parents having season tickets to the Dallas Stars. I played all throughout my childhood and in high school, eventually playing two years of junior hockey and four years at Utica University.

After college, I took a job with the Dallas Stars in rink management and I am lucky to have welcomed many new families into the community and helped grow the game from the grassroots level for the last 3 years. Hockey has been at the root of my life since I was born and I am grateful to give back and mentor players both on and off the ice."

Cameron is relocating from Texas where he is currently a part of the Dallas Stars Hockey and Dallas Penguins Program.

Luke Harrison begins his 2nd season as Specialty Assistant Coach CC Makar T1 / Royals

Luke begins his 11th season of coaching and has been instrumental with the CC Royals development as Head Coach in the 2024-2025 season. In addition to Cherry Creek, Luke has spent time coaching with the Lafayette Youth Hockey Association. Luke has a Sports Management degree from the University of Colorado and has worked with the Colorado Avalanche Amateur Hockey Development program to grow the game in Colorado.

Luke is Social Studies teacher at Brighton High School and is looking forward to working with our CC players and helping them grow inside and outside the game of hockey.

Luke is a Level 4 CEP Coach

Emma Guzdek begins her 2nd season with Cherry Creek Lady Bruins and 1st as Head Coach.

Emma will also be an Assistant Coach for the CC Prospects / CHSAA Royal Team. Emma is excited to work with both the Lady Bruins and CC Prospects /CHSAA Royal Teams.

The previous two years Emma was an Assistant Coach with the Wilkes-Barrie / Scranton Knight 18U AAA Boys Team.

In addition Emma was the Associate Director and On-Ice Coach for the New York State Amateur Hockey Association Sponsored House League Clinics.

Emma was also selected by USA Hockey Coach Development (Hybrid) Coach Developer teaching segments of classes in USA Hockey's Coaching Education Program.

Emma attended Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barrie, Pennsylvania playing NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey.

Emma will be pursuing a Masters Degree from the University of Denver.

Lauren Gunter returns as Assistant Coach of the Cherry Creek Lady Bruins for the 2025-2026 season in the Colorado Prep Hockey League. This marks her 8th season with Cherry Creek Hockey and her 3rd with the Lady Bruins. Lauren will also expand into the Mental Sports Performance Coach position.

Coach Gunter has served Cherry Creek in various roles, including mental skills coach, strength and conditioning coach, and assistant coach for a State Championship-winning Tier II/JV team.

A native of Owatonna, Minnesota, Gunter brings over 10 years of playing experience at the AAA and high school varsity levels. She holds a master’s degree in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Denver.

Gunter is committed to developing players both on and off the ice, emphasizing teamwork, respect, and resilience. She fosters a positive and supportive environment that values effort, dedication, and a positive attitude.

Gunter resides in Parker with her husband, Drake, and their new daughter, Scottie.

Cherry Creek welcomes David Zaworski to the Lady Bruins Assistant Coach. David will share his passion for Girls Hockey after several seasons with the AYHL Hockey Association. David is a Level 4 CEP Coach.

Shannon Valerio returns for her 3rd season to our Coaching Staff as our Power Skating Coach.

Shannon Valerio, MA, CSCS, is a former world class speed skater. She began competing at the age of seven and quickly rose to the national ranks. During her 20-year career in short-track and inline speed skating, she competed internationally, amassed 14 national titles and eventually landed a contract with a professional racing team.

While in college, she took a brief hiatus to play hockey for the University of Denver Women’s team, where she played under exceptional coaches, eventually becoming a player-coach.

Over the past decade, she coached part-time with high school, USA Hockey, NCAA D1 and Stanley Cup champions, combining speed-specific training with hockey tactics. In 2020, she left a successful career as an IT Director/Software Consultant to become a full-time speed and power skating coach.



In her short time working with primarily youth hockey players, she has established herself as the premier speed and power skating coach in the Rocky Mountain region, helping her athletes reach tremendous heights such as advancement to USA Hockey National Development camps, USHL and WHL draft selections, and NCAA commitments.

Cherry Creek welcomes Nevan Costello as Goaltending Director.

Nevan brings a passion of teaching skills and compete levels for our Bruin Goaltenders.

Nevan was a Massachusetts State High School 2018 Hobey Baker Recipient, and 2018 D1 State Finalist 

After graduating Merrimack College with a degree in Marketing, Nevan moved to the state of Colorado to enjoy time with family and now spends his time developing goalies under Matt Zaba and MHH Organization in the Denver area.

Littleton Hockey Association 2024-2025 Season

Nevan has been coached by some of the best coaches on the East Coast in Brian Eklund with Mass Crease and Doug Michaels of The Goalie Academy. 

Matt Zaba begins his 5th season with our Coaching Staff.

Matt Zaba is currently the goalie coach for the Colorado Avalanche's Colorado Eagles. After an 8 year professional career, including stops in the NHL, AHL, ECHL and Europe, Matt Zaba began his coaching career with his alma mater Colorado College Tigers.

Coach Zaba has worked directly under the guidance of New York Rangers Goalie Coach Benoit Allaire, Los Angelos Kings Goalie Coach Bill Ranford and Swedish National Team Goalie Coach Stefan Ladhe.

Matt Zaba spent the last 3 seasons as goalie coach for the Tri-City Storm where he has coached back to back USHL Goalies of they Year in his first two seasons.

Matt Zaba

MHH Goalie Club Founder

Tri-City Storm Goalie Coach

www.mountainhighhockey.com 

Landow Performance returns for a 8th season. Landow Sports Performance Coaches will work with all of our teams to provide off-ice training and nutrition analysis. We look forward to continuing our Cherry Creek partnership with the Landow Performance Team.

The 2024-2025 Season saw the Bruins compete in the USA Hockey Nationals and CHSAA Frozen our. Cherry Creek will being back a solid group of young players to compete in our 6th season in the NAPHL. Cherry Creek will continue with a U18 and U16 team as we continue to offer additional competitive games for our players.

Cherry Creek will begin their 3rd season in the National Division of the Atlantic Hockey Federation in the 2025-2028 season. This will be year 4 in the AHF.

Cherry Creek Lady Bruins take the ice for their 3rd season in the 2025-206 season. The Lady Bruins will compete in the CPHL and in the Atlantic Girls Hockey Federation Guest Showcase Division.

Congratulations to several of our Alumni who have moved on to Junior Hockey across the country and are working towards a NCAA commitment.

This will be my 33rd season of coaching hockey in Colorado at both the High School and Competitive Travel level, which would include the Arapahoe Warriors Youth Hockey Association, Littleton Hockey Association, and Valor Christian High School.

I grew up in Detroit, Michigan as a Goaltender and played Travel hockey at several age levels including the Detroit Junior Red Wings Junior A Team and was a Western Michigan University recruit. After moving to Colorado to begin my business career I continued playing in the Rocky Mountain Men’s A Competitive League and in 1997 went One on One with Joe Sakic to help the Colorado Youth At Risk Foundation in cooperation with Fox Sports.

My family includes my wife of 44 years Jackie and 3 boys: Jeff, Alec and Brady. In addition I have 5 beautiful grandsons Noah, Oliver, Jayden, Marshall and Jordan.