Executive Director Steve Nearman

A lifelong advocate for the underdog, Coach Nearms has been fighting for equal opportunities for all since high school. Out of college, he was a Big Brother for eight years in Arlington, VA, then gave 16 years to the Board of Directors of Child and Family Network Centers of Alexandria, VA (13 years as Board Chair), helping provide no-cost preschool each year for more than 200 at-risk four-year-olds primarily from African American and Hispanic families as well as people displaced from war-torn countries. His work as Lead for the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team in Plymouth and Bristol counties brought financial aid 24/7 to hundreds of fire victims especially in low-income areas. Framingham South High school yearbook quote - "The world was meant to share, let them know you care by making someone's life worth living."

Treasurer Melanie Nearman

Melanie, mother of three including a son with autism who is one of the team's goaltenders, has been the Board Treasurer from the start. She had a career in nursing and electronic medical records before committing to a career in cybersecurity, which she is currently studying in college.

An avid walker and cyclist, and the wife of our Board President, Melanie would like to re-learn how to skate one day so she can hang out with the team on the ice.

Vice President Bill Wedge

Mr. Wedge is the welcoming face of the team, making nearly every practice, game and travel tournament since 2020. His inspiring photos have graced our Facebook and Instagram sites but also magazines including Hockey News. The best right-hand man in the business, Mr. Wedge also can be found behind the bench making sure players are going on and coming off the ice in sync.

Coach Madison Alper

Coach Maddie grew up playing hockey on the Cape at Tony Kent and at Barnstable High School. She is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst working with Pre-K and elementary students in the Barnstable school district as well as working a Friday Night Social program for adults in Barnstable and beyond.

Favorite Quote: "Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain."

Clerk Mark Buonagurio

Ken Hodge Jr - At Large

Coach John Nathan

Coach John has shared his mastery of hockey, basketball, soccer and other sports at the youth level, including Bourne High School and Pembroke Youth Hockey. As a soccer coach, Coach John has 4 US Soccer Federation Coaching Licenses, and a USA Hockey Level 4 CEP Certification. He is also an MIAA certified HS coach. Thru Hockey Canada he is trained as a Level 1 Instructor of Skating and thru Hockey Saskatchewan he is a certified Respect in Sport Activity Leader. In days gone by he was even seen wearing the zebra shirt!

Coach Paul Varley

Starting late in life, Coach Paul still found a passion and drive for all things hockey. You may have even seen some of his off-ice handy work for the Blizz whether a sticker on a helmet, magnet on your fridge or car or even a cool new event logo (summer camp, July parade, SHI Boston 2024). Ever generous with his time, Coach Paul can also be found coaching in less fortunate hockey communities across the globe with Friendship League.

Coach Ken Silva

Coach Ken has been involved with hockey since he was first on skates at 5 years old. He is a Cape Cod native and an avid Boston Bruins fan who lettered at Barnstable High School. He has been coaching both his sons in the South Shore Seahawks town program since 2015 and is currently a CEP Level 4 working on his Level 5 CEP Certification with USA Hockey, the highest certification you can get for coaching hockey.

Coach Joe Coletti

Coach Coletti started playing hockey in Plymouth in 1975 and fell in love with the game instantly. He continued to play organized hockey through Youth leagues, High School and Div 3 College. Then Coach Coletti coached Pembroke Youth and Duxbury Youth hockey from 2005 through 2016 and was the Head coach for the 98-99 Birth Years, for the Breakers Elite U-16’s teams. Since 2019, he has been helping coach the Great Blizz with other amazing coaches. He still plays hockey with longtime local community friends around the Southshore in organized men’s leagues.

Coach Adam Alexander

Coach Adam’s love for hockey began at age three and he played competitively throughout his youth with Cape Cod Canal Youth Hockey, Wareham Middle and High School, and Rhode Island College. Since 2012, he has been a certified USA Hockey official.

Inspired by his mother’s work in special education, he founded Best Buddies chapters at both Wareham High School and Rhode Island College and began his professional journey at Cardinal Cushing Academy in Hanover, MA. Today, Coach Adam is not only a passionate advocate for inclusion and education, but also a proud husband and father to two beautiful daughters. As Mark Messier once said, “Hockey is a game of fun. If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right.” It is obvious that Coach Adam tried to bring that same spirit into every part of life.

Coach Joe Shea

“My name is Joseph Shea. I’m 8 yrs old and I love the game of hockey. My Aunt has special needs (Cri-Du-Chat Syndrome) and I like helping her and others on the team learn how to skate and learn to play the game. We have a lot of fun!”

Coach Jeff Hemphill

Coach Jeff has been coaching hockey for over 20 years and joined The Great Blizz coaching staff three years ago. He brings a passion for the game of hockey and patience for all players on the ice. His goal is to create a space where every athlete feels seen and supported. He shares his joy of the game with all players.

Coach Maren Higgins

Coach Maren is a dedicated goalie who plays for the East Coast Wizards U14 Tier 1 and Milton Academy. An all-around athlete, she also enjoys softball and loves staying active through rollerblading, playing catch, and spending time outdoors. Always up for a game or adventure, Maren brings energy, enthusiasm, and a love of the game to every team and activity she joins. The 2026–2027 season marks her second year coaching with The Blizz!

Coach Rich Murphy

Coach Peter Thompson

Peter played hockey at Hingham High, Canterbury School and Hobart College. He spent 12 years on the board of the Hockey Humanitarian Award Foundation, recognizing college hockey's finest citizen. Peter is a USA Hockey Level 4 certified coach and former head coach of Scituate High girls varsity.

Coach Adeline Hare

Coach Kepler Angell

Coach Parker Mailloux

Coach Max Hanna

Coach Sera Collins

Sera has been playing hockey since she was 4 and currently plays for the Boston Jr. Eagles U14 Tier 1 team. She is in Class 8 at Dexter Southfield, where she also plays hockey, field hockey and lacrosse. Sera has been volunteering with the Great Blizz for the past year and loves getting on the ice each week, helping players develop their skills, build confidence, and have fun. She especially enjoys getting to know her players and being part of their hockey journey!

Coach Sam Johnson

Sam has been playing hockey for the past 10 years and has been part of several teams, including the Bay State Breakers and Duxbury Youth. The 2026–2027 season will mark his first year playing for Duxbury High School. He’s excited to share his passion for hockey with the next generation of players and help them develop their skills and love for the game!

Coach Jack Johnson

Jack has loved hockey ever since he first put on his skates at just 3 years old. He currently plays for several teams, including the Bay State Breakers and Duxbury Youth Hockey. He’s excited to give back to the sport that has brought him so much joy and share his passion for hockey with the players he coaches!

Coach Henry Jeong

Coach Colby Dargan

Coach Emerson Hurcombe

Coach Dylan Tracy

Coach Scooter Tracy

Coach Jack deBrun

Coach Kylie Fortuna

Coach Patty McDonald

Coach Patty is a Vocational Coordinator and Special Ed Teacher at Riverview School in Sandwich. Each week she brings 15-plus Riverview students to the rink and remarkably gets them all on the ice for practice. She attended high school in hockey-rich Minnesota, played NYC Hockey Club in New York City and participated in the Canal Youth Hockey in Bourne. And at one time she worked for National Hockey League!

Coach John Robertson

Coach John grew up playing hockey in Toronto. He spent many days and evenings at Maple Leaf Gardens watching his uncle who played Junior and Senior A hockey as well as his favorite Toronto Maple Leafs, who he believes are going to win the Stanley Cup this year. His favorite player, undoubtedly is Wayne Gretzky and Wayne’s famous quote “100% of the shots you never take won’t go in“. In his fourth season with The Blizz, Coach John still plays two to three times a week on the Cape and is very confident the Leafs will win The Cup this year (despite a soft start) lol

Coach Madison Alper

Coach Maddie grew up playing hockey on the Cape at Tony Kent and at Barnstable High School. She is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst working with Pre-K and elementary students in the Barnstable school district as well as working a Friday Night Social program for adults in Barnstable and beyond.

Favorite Quote: "Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain."

Coach Tom Mahoney

Coach Tom played high school hockey for Norwell and then at the club collegiate level for University of Tennessee in the ACHA. This is his third season with The Great Blizz and his sister Laura is a teammate. A fun fact is that we are “Irish twins!”

Coach Sean Mahoney

Coach Sean is a lifelong hockey enthusiast who was very active in playing and coaching. Although Sean now works in Denver, he spends a lot of time in Plymouth and loves seeing the progress his daughter, Laura is making with the Great Blizz Hockey team. Laura has taught Sean a motto that he shares with his friends and colleagues: “Life is Hard; Life is Great”.

Coach Kieley Steadman

Engineer by trade, hockey player at heart. From learning to walk on skates to years on the ice, hockey has shaped who Coach Kieley is. His passion now is helping young players experience the same growth and joy the game has given him. It helps that he worked with Project Forward. Coach Kieley’s spare time is spent playing hockey or enjoying his time with my daughter.

Favorite quote: “You don’t lose if you get knocked down; you lose if you stay down.” - Muhammad Ali

Coach Benjamin Perry 

My name is Ben Perry, and I am entering my freshman year at Barnstable High School. I have been playing hockey since I was five and am looking forward to coaching for my third season with the Blizzard.

Coach Leah Bertling

Coach Bertling is a Junior at Barnstable High School, where she plays on the girls hockey team and also serves as captain. Leah also plays club hockey for the Northeast Generals. In addition to hockey, she plays field hockey and lacrosse for her school. Leah is an active member in the National Honor Society and the Best Buddies Club. After high school she plans to pursue a degree in occupational therapy. She is excited to bring her passion for sports and teamwork to the Great Blizz this year.

Coach Adam Alexander

Coach Adam’s love for hockey began at age three and he played competitively throughout his youth with Cape Cod Canal Youth Hockey, Wareham Middle and High School, and Rhode Island College. Since 2012, he has been a certified USA Hockey official.

Inspired by his mother’s work in special education, he founded Best Buddies chapters at both Wareham High School and Rhode Island College and began his professional journey at Cardinal Cushing Academy in Hanover, MA. Today, Coach Adam is not only a passionate advocate for inclusion and education, but also a proud husband and father to two beautiful daughters. As Mark Messier once said, “Hockey is a game of fun. If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right.” It is obvious that Coach Adam tried to bring that same spirit into every part of life.

Coach Jeff Hemphill

Coach Jeff has been coaching hockey for over 20 years and joined The Great Blizz coaching staff three years ago. He brings a passion for the game of hockey and patience for all players on the ice. His goal is to create a space where every athlete feels seen and supported. He shares his joy of the game with all players.

Coach Nora MacDonald

Coach Joshua Murphy

Coach Paul Varley

Starting late in life, Coach Paul still found a passion and drive for all things hockey. You may have even seen some of his off-ice handy work for the Blizz whether a sticker on a helmet, magnet on your fridge or car or even a cool new event logo (summer camp, July parade, SHI Boston 2024). Ever generous with his time, Coach Paul can also be found coaching in less fortunate hockey communities across the globe with Friendship League.

Coach J.P. Giuliotti

A lifelong hockey player and coach, JP spent eight years coaching the California Condors Special Needs Hockey Club, the first special needs team of Southern California. The Massachusetts native played college hockey at Suffolk University and now serves as their home Public Address announcer for the men and women's teams. This multi-talented coach also is an established actor. “One of my fav quotes is: "It's okay to look at your past, but it is not okay to stare at it."

Coach Douglas Goodwin

In his second year of coaching, Coach Douglas has been playing hockey for 26 years and has a son Liam on The Great Blizz team.

Coach Richard Thibeau

Coach Dick has been playing hockey for the past 65 years. He coached Special Olympics Volleyball for 16 years and currently serves on the WINARC Board, an organization that enhances the lives of individuals with disabilities. Favorite Quote: Be a good teammate. In September 2026, Coach Dick was inducted into the USA Hockey 80-Plus Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Colorado.

Coach Matt Mansfield

I have played and coached hockey my entire life and have met and made so many life long friends through hockey. I am so excited to be coaching with the Blizz and sharing my love of the game with all the players. One of my favorite quotes is “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can."

Coach Joseph McDonald Jr

Coach Christopher Pearl

Coach Cole Benedetto

Coach Christine Boncore

Coach Joey Boncore

Coach Dan Mendieta

Coach Daniel brings a unique global perspective to the ice, shaped by his global travels and a deep commitment to volunteerism. He's a returning hockey coach, but has assisted the community with baseball, basketball, and other activities. As a novice skater himself, he's not afraid to fall and embraces learning alongside his players. "We rise by lifting others." Daniel is dedicated to helping every player find their confidence and love for the game—one stride at a time.

Coach Alexandra Parker

Coach Ryan Parker

Coach Nathan Parker

Coach Abby Githinji

My name is Abby Githinji, and I’m a junior at Winthrop High School, where I play on the girls varsity hockey team. I’ve been playing hockey for 11 years and also mentor students in the Life Skills program at school. I volunteer with Winthrop Advocacy Resources Community (WINARC), and I love giving back to my community and helping others. I’m so excited to share my love for hockey with the Great Blizzards and help our players grow, build confidence, and have fun!

Coach Derek Avakian

A lifelong Martha’s Vineyard resident, Derek has been involved in hockey since the age of five. He played four years of Division III hockey at Plymouth State University and is a Level 4 certified coach with Martha’s Vineyard Youth Hockey. As a father of two, including a son with autism, Derek is passionate about creating an inclusive and supportive environment where athletes of all abilities can experience the joy of hockey.

Coach Jen Woods

Jen Woods is a special education teacher with Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools, working in the Voyager Program with young adults ages 18–22. She lives on Martha’s Vineyard with her husband and three children. Hockey has always been an important part of Jen’s life, and she continues to enjoy playing in a local women’s hockey league. Her son, CJ, also shares her love of the sport as a player with Martha’s Vineyard Youth Hockey’s U12 program. A passionate advocate for individuals of all abilities, Jen believes in the power of inclusion and the opportunities hockey provides to build confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging. She brings her experience, enthusiasm, and dedication to making the ice a welcoming place for everyone.

Coach Natasha Snowden

Coach Beth O’Connor

Beth O’Connor is a native to the Vineyard and began skating at the age of nine. Beth is in her 34th year of teaching. She is the director of the figure skating club's Learn to Skate USA program. Beth holds ratings as a Level 1 Skating Skills, Level 2 Program Director & Group Instructor, Hockey IV rating with US Figure Skating and a Level 4 Ranking with USA Hockey. She co-directs the MV Youth Hockey House Mites and is the director of the Learn to Play program. When not on the ice, Beth is involved in many of her three children’s activities. Beth would like to congratulate all of the many skaters she had the opportunity to teach this year and all of the parents that supported their children.

Coach Jared Andrews

Coach Lillian Avakian

Lillian began skating at the age of three and playing hockey at age five with Martha’s Vineyard Youth Hockey. In addition to hockey, Lillian is a dedicated dancer, bringing her love of movement, teamwork, and athleticism to both sports. Growing up alongside her brother Cooper, who has autism, has given her a special appreciation for inclusion and supporting individuals of all abilities. As a young coach with the Great Blizzards, Lillian enjoys sharing her passion for hockey while helping athletes build confidence, friendships, and have fun on the ice.

Coach Max Sherman

Coach Madelyn Crowell

Coach Clayton Woods

CJ Woods is a seventh-grade student and enthusiastic athlete with a love for all sports, especially hockey, baseball, and golf. He plays for Martha’s Vineyard Youth Hockey's U12 program and enjoys sharing his passion for the game with the Great Blizzards. CJ's kindness, positive attitude and contagious enthusiasm shine both on and off the ice. As a young coach, he brings encouragement, friendship and a genuine desire to help every athlete feel included, supported and part of the team.

Manager Brooke Avakian

Brooke Avakian has been an educator for over 20 years and a passionate advocate for individuals with autism and special needs. She lives on Martha’s Vineyard with her husband, Derek, and their two children, Cooper and Lillian. As a mother of a son with autism, Brooke understands firsthand the importance of inclusion, friendship, and creating opportunities for individuals of all abilities. With over a decade of involvement in the Island’s autism community, she brings her experience, compassion, and organizational skills to her role as Team Manager of the Great Blizzards. Brooke loves working behind the scenes to bring families together and help create a welcoming, supportive environment where every athlete can feel a sense of belonging and experience the joy of being part of a team.