Head Coach & General Manager: Tom Mooradian
Collectively, Tom has spent 12 years as a member of the Niagara University ACHA Division 1 Men’s Ice Hockey Program. He is a former freshman recruit, 3-time ECHL Academic All-American, 2-year captain and over the course of a 4-year career – Registered 111 games played as a Purple Eagle.
His primary responsibilities consist of carrying out all of the operational functions that come with managing a Division 1 ACHA program. He communicates with his staff to devise our game-day strategy, runs every practice / film session and works alongside Associate Head Coach, Cory Leonard. Together, they construct every individual player’s summer workout regimen and goal-plan.
Away from the team, Tom is the owner and lead instructor for the Mooradian Hockey School. MHS takes a sequential approach to elite skill development while placing a major emphasis on mind agility and technical edgework. He works out of Niagara University's own, Dwyer Arena. Away from the rink, he resides in Youngstown, NY with his wife Kalli and their golden retrievers, Kovy & Bauer.
Associate Head Coach: Cory Leonard
Cory "Lenny" Leonard is entering his third season as a member of the Niagara coaching staff. In his previous role, he served as the team's strength & conditioning coach, responsible for constructing offseason workout regimens and reporting individual player training metrics / progress to the head coaching staff. He is a former 4-year player and NU graduate.
In addition to running the purps' off-ice training circuit, Lenny's role will consist of advising Tom both during practice sessions and on gameday. He will play an integral role in piecing the lineup together and dissecting opposing systems, mid-game. In June of 2020, Cory was promoted to the position of Associate Head Coach and has embraced the role with open arms.
His professional title is currently listed as - Lead Personal Trainer at Crunch Fitness in Niagara Falls, NY. He obtained his CPT from the National Counsel of Sports & Fitness and is currently In the process of acquiring his CSCS from the National Strength & Conditioning Association. He resides in Buffalo, NY with his girlfriend, Miranda.
Assistant Coach: Jeff Monfils
Jeff is entering his 2nd stint as an assistant coach with Niagara. He brings a plethora of hockey knowledge to the table both as a coach and former player. During his playing tenure, Jeff was a member of the first Niagara University ACHA Hockey team to secure a conference championship in 2013. Throughout his 3-year college career, he played in 3 straight NECHL championship games, winning 2. As a coach, He'll be primarily responsible for practice construction and identifying key matchups, mid-game.
Professionally, Jeff is a district sales manager for the Jets Pizza franchise in western New York. He resides in Amherst, NY with his girlfriend, Taylor.
Assistant Coach: Chris Gasiewicz
Chris is entering his 1st year behind the Purple Eagle bench. A 4-year player / 2-year captain / 2-time NECHL champion and former first line center for the program, his primary role will consist of devising gameday strategy and on-the-fly adjustments in game situations. As a player, one of the strongest facets of his game was hockey IQ. The coaching staff is hoping to parlay that knowledge into a contributing coaching role, night-in and night-out. Presently, his professional title is listed as a tax accountant in the Buffamante Whipple & Buttafaro accounting firm.
Assistant Coach: Ryan Peters
Ryan Peters retired from playing action following the conclusion of the 2020 ACHA regular season. He is currently the program's all-time leader in Games Played, a member of the 150 point club and a 2-time NECHL champion. Along with his former linemate and co-captain Chris Gasiewicz, this will be Petey's first year in a coaching role. He will serve as the head coaching staff's primary point of contact for player relationships and lineup composition. Away from the rink, Ryan currently resides in Clarence, NY and holds the professional title of Operations Coordinator for Salit Specialty Rebar in Tonawanda, NY.
Operations Manager: Linda Smolka
Linda Smolka has been appointed to the position of Operations Manager for the Niagara University ACHA Division 1 Men's Ice Hockey Program. She is in charge of planning / coordinating all of our special events that take place off the ice and away from the rink. The scope of work that falls under her umbrella includes all of the team's fundraising and charitable events that take place on a per-semester basis. This includes Niagara's annual golf tournament held at Frontier Country Club in Youngstown, NY.
Trainer: Emily Bannister
Emily came to Niagara University from Hilbert College, where she was hired upon her graduation from Brockport. While at Hilbert, she was the assistant athletic trainer for 15 Division III teams, where she was responsible for athlete diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation and prevention of injuries.
She graduated from the College at Brockport State University of New York in 2017 with her bachelor’s degree in athletic training. During her time as an athletic training student, she gained experience covering Division III football, gymnastics, hockey, and Division II lacrosse, and basketball. She also worked in the high school setting, with hockey, basketball, football, and boxing. Bannister supplemented her education by volunteering for the Division III National Gymnastics competition, Section V wrestling sectionals, and the Empire State games for the physically challenged. She also interned with the Rochester Rhinos professional American League.
Bannister is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and the New York State Athletic Trainers Association. She earned her NATA certification in 2017 and is First Aid and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer certified by the American Red Cross.
Scout: Nick Bisser
Nick is entering his first season with the Niagara University ACHA Men's Division 1 recruiting staff. After a successful junior career that saw him captain the GOJHL's Welland Jr. Canadiens, Nick has decided to pursue a career on the business side of hockey operations. He will be responsible for heading the team's scouting / recruiting affiliation in the GTA while acting as the team's liaison for the NOJHL, OJHL and the GOJHL.
Scout: Dillon Clemen
Dillon is entering his first season with the Niagara University ACHA Men's Division 1 recruiting staff. After a successful junior career that saw him obtain a championship ring with the CCHL 2's Casselman Vikings / Captain of the Winchester Hawks, he has decided to pursue a secondary career in scouting. He will be responsible for heading the team's scouting / recruiting affiliation in the greater Ottawa area, while acting as the team's liaison for the CCHL and the CCHL 2.
Website Coordinator / Game Day Operations - Nick Orlowski
Nick is entering his fourth season in assisting the team with game day operations and maintaining the website. Nick has been a great asset maintaining website statistics, coordinating game day video and operating the game clock during the game. He has coordinated many aspects of the operations with Nate Miller during his tenure with the team. Nick graduated with his Undergraduate Degree ('15) in Mathematics and MBA in Accounting ('17). He is currently an assurance associate at Dopkins & Co LLP in Williamsville, NY.
Equipment Manager - Peter Hardman
Petey has been with the Niagara Family for many years. His role consists of helping out the team with various needs either during practices or games. Petey is always there for the team and the Niagara Family greatly appreciate all Petey does for them.
