Tryouts for Jr Black Bear 2024-25 Season
Take a Look at Some of our Jr Black Bear Coaches
18U Head Coach–Will JohnsTon
Coach Will Johnston has lived in Maryland for over 20 Years but he is originally from Ontario, Canada. He graduated from Long Reach High School and played his youth hockey at Howard Huskies as well as Long Reach’s Varsity team. Will currently resides in Ellicott City, where he runs his own company – Johnston Door Services that is based in Columbia. Coach Will started coaching at Long Reach High School and with the Howard Huskies in 2010-2011. He then moved onto Mount Saint Mary’s University (Frederick, MD) and then to Catholic University (Washington, DC). Will spent a total of 8 years at Catholic University; 2 years as an Assistant Coach and 6 years as Head Coach. Over the 6 years as a Head Coach, he won a DVCHC championship in 2018-19, and again in 2019-20 along with back-to-back Coach of the Year awards for both of those seasons.16U Head Coach–Kyle Laughlin
Coach Kyle Laughlin joins the Black Bears with an extensive playing and coaching resume. After playing his youth hockey throughout the Maryland youth hockey network, he went on to play three seasons of Junior A hockey in the USHL and NAHL before attending Providence College (NCAA Div. 1 Hockey East), where he was a 2-time team Captain. Upon graduation, Kyle finished his playing career over the following 4 years playing in various North American minor professional leagues (ECHL, CHL). Kyle quickly transitioned to coaching college hockey at SUNY Oswego (NCAA Div. 3, SUNY) as an assistant coach where he helped guide the Lakers to a Frozen Four appearance and three consecutive years with the nation’s top power play percentage. A USA Hockey Level 4 coach, he has most recently returned to coaching youth hockey, spending his time working with various Tier 1 and Tier 2 clubs in the Maryland area. If the name sounds familiar, it may be because his father, Craig Laughlin, is a former NHL player and current NHL TV Color Analyst at NBC Sports Washington.14U Head Coaches–Jacob Krampf & Bill Krampf
Coach Jake Krampf is entering his fourth season as a head coach with the Jr Black Bears continuing a long legacy with the Nelson Hockey organization. He played 12 seasons with Nelson Hockey begining with Learn-to-Skate and progressing through U18AA. After finishing his U18AA season, Coach Krampf went on to play four years of ACHA collegiate hockey at Salisbury University. While at Salisbury Coach Krampf was selected to play on the BRHC Conference All-Star Team as a freshman, was a captain on a top-10 ranked team in the Southeastern Region, and was selected First-Line All-Conference in his senior year. Jake has had the pleasure of coaching along side his mentor and father, Bill Krampf. Coach Bill Krampf has been a hockey coach at every level from Mite Recreation to ACHA collegiate hockey. In addition to coaching with the Jr Black Bears, Coach Krampf is currently an Associate Coach-in-Chief for USA Hockey’s Southeastern District, a position he has held since 2008. He has also been an instructor with USA Hockey’s Coaching Education Program since 2002. In 2019, Coach Krampf volunteered to support the Goaltending Development Program under USA Hockey and is currently a Goaltending Development Lead for the Southeastern District. Coach Krampf was the University of Maryland ACHA Division 2 head coach from 2010-2015. In 2012-2013 he was named the ACHA Division II Southeastern District Coach of the Year, a result of leading the Terps to their first trip to the ACHA Division II Nationals. In 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 he was named the ACC Hockey League Coach of the Year leading the Terps to back-to-back ACC championships. Prior to coaching at Maryland he was an instructor and head coach with the Metro Maple Leafs (now Junior Black Bears) in Odenton, MD for thirteen seasons coaching Mite Recreation up to U18AA and served as the organization’s Coaching Director for the 2009-2010 season before leaving for the University of Maryland. Coach Krampf is a Level 5 Certified Coach with USA Hockey. He is a lifelong goaltender and continues to enjoy playing the game. He can be found between the pipes (or trying to teach himself to play forward) in various men’s league games in the area. His biggest thrill is getting the chance to play with his son and players he coached from his Metro Maple Leafs and University of Maryland teams.14U Girls Head Coach--Lindsey Torres
Coach Lindsey Torres grew up playing hockey in Buffalo, NY. She has 20+ years of playing experience and 15+ years of coaching experience. She has competed at multiple levels including Tier 1 girls, AA boys, and high school varsity. Lindsey’s coaching experience began as a student coach at the age of 15. She went on to become an assistant coach of the varsity high school hockey team where she helped lead the team to a state championship. Lindsey has 4 years of experience as a Tier II youth coach, one of which was with the Jr Black Bears. Coach Lindsey is also a Level 3 certified referee. In her free time, she refs youth and adult hockey, and competes on both co-ed and women’s adult teams. Coach Lindsey strives to give back to the game by teaching, motivating, and inspiring each player she interacts with.April Pre-Tryout Clinics & Team Practice Schedule
12U GOALIE NEEDED
Looking for a 12U B Goalie for the 2024-2025 Jr Black Bear Season. If you are interested or know someone interested, please email Nelson Burton at nelsonkburton@gmail.com
GIVE IT A SHOT BEGINNER PROGRAM
Beginner Youth ages 4-14 yrs - Mondays & Saturdays
Goalie Clinics
Fridays (time varies)
Hockey Fundamentals
Youth ages 9-15 yrs - Fridays
ADULT PROGRAMS
ADULT SKILLS AND CONDITIONING
Mondays 9:10-10:10pm
Beginners - Foundry
Tuesdays 9:10-10:10pm - Session runs March 12-April 30
ADULT SCRIMMAGES -Intermediate Level
Thursdays 9:10-10:10pm
ADULT SHOOTING CLINIC
Saturdays 7:00-8:00am
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Nelson Hockey Association
Nelson Hockey Association Inc. was created in1997 as a non-profit youth hockey organization to teach the fundamentals of ice hockey, promote character development and physical fitness, and instill the principles of fair play and healthy competition. Founder and Director, Nelson Burton, has spent more than 40 years playing and coaching hockey. He has played the game at every level from neighborhood pond hockey in his native Canada all the way to the NHL and continues to play in a local men’s league. Nelson’s goal is to provide a fun, competitive and inclusive environment for players to grow their skills, develop a love for the game and create life-long friendships.
