Dallas Junior Hockey Association

Dallas Penguins Tier I General Manager

Mark Frankenfeld enters his second full year as the commissioner of the North American Hockey League after spending the last three seasons as the league's director of hockey operations.

In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of the league, Frankenfeld assumes an active role in expansion, marketing initiatives and player development.

Already during Frankenfeld's short tenure, the NAHL has grown to 19 teams while solidifying a number of league-wide agreements. Frankenfeld was also the driving force behind the creation of the NAHL Future Prospects Tournaments, an annual three-tournament event featuring the best Midget and Bantam teams in the country.

No stranger to the NAHL, Frankenfeld, a member of USA Hockey's Junior Council, spent four seasons as the assistant coach and assistant general manager of the Texas Tornado from 1999-2003 before serving as head coach and general manager of the Dayton Gems during the 2003-04 season. He also spent one year as an assistant coach with the Cleveland Jr. Barons.

Frankenfeld also has coaching experience in the college hockey ranks. He was an assistant at the University of Miami-Ohio (CCHA) for four seasons and spent one year as an assistant with Buffalo State University (SUNYAC).

An active coach at USA Hockey Select Festivals and clinics over the past decade, Frankenfeld's 19 years of coaching experience also includes the high school and Midget AAA levels, most recently for DJHA in 2005-2006 and the Texas Attack in 2006-2007.

Frankenfeld, a graduate of Wright State University, resides in Frisco, Texas, with his wife Kira, his son Brody, and his daughters Charlee and Bella.

U18 AAA Tier I

 Jaz Hayden began playing hockey as a 4-year-old in Welland, Ontario. He played AAA hockey from 7-15 years old for the Welland Tigers organization.

After minor hockey, he joined the Thorold Blackhawks¹ Junior program, where he played five years and became the team¹s all-time leading scorer with 380 points in 180 games.

Hayden¹s coaching experience consists of two years with the Dallas Ice Hawks organization at the Bantam level and five years with Alliance Hockey Association coaching high-level PeeWee, Bantam and Midget.

Last season, he coached the first-year Alliance Major Midget AAA team to a great showing, as the club finished as one of the top 25 teams in the country with a 37-19-1 record.  He helped many players from his team last year either sign tenders or become drafted in the North American Hockey League.

Hayden has also had the opportunity to work with the Plano West hockey club for the past five seasons, winning a JV championship and a varsity silver championship, as well as assisting in the first state championship in Plano West history.

In addition, he has worked with many current professional players - including Dan Paille of the Buffalo Sabres and Nathan Horton of the Florida Panthers - at the Contech Hockey Camp in Welland, Ontario.

Hayden plans to teach to his players the many values he was taught by his coaches growing up.

He believes coaches have a major influence on the development of men and women as they become older.

Hayden prides himself on giving each player the opportunity to succeed and will do whatever it takes to help them reach their goals.

U16 AAA Tier I

DJHA is excited to announce that Eric Silverman will be returning for his fourth season as Hockey Director, Director of Player Development, and Head of Coaches.

The 2008-09 season will be Eric's fifth season coaching in Texas. During this time he has seen his teams and players achieve many great accomplishments. The past two seasons he has had nationally-ranked AAA teams. His Attack U16AAA team recently placed three players in the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) Final 40 Camp which was the second most of any team in the country. He had 13 of his players rated by USHL Central Scouting, a few of which have already received full scholarship offers from some of the top schools in Division I hockey.

In addition to his position with DJHA, Eric is also the regional scout for the USHL.  More info on the USHL and Eric can be found at http://ushl.com/centralscouting/personnel.cfm.  

There is not another coach in Dallas youth hockey that has near the amount of hockey contacts as Eric. He is well-connected with the USNTDP, USHL, NAHL, and many of the top Division I schools in the country.

In addition he works closely with some of the most successful NHL agents, helping them identify the best players in the country. His players are given every opportunity to advance to the next level. 

Eric has an extensive hockey background. He grew up playing AAA hockey in New York and left home while in high school to play Junior A hockey for the Sioux City Musketeers (USHL).  Eric finished his Junior career ranked as the fourth all-time leading scorer in Sioux City history. From there he earned a scholarship to play Division I college hockey at the University of Alaska Anchorage (WCHA) where he was the Seawolves’ leading goal scorer as a sophomore. After college he spent three seasons playing professional hockey in the ECHL and CHL. He then spent one season as an assistant coach at the Division I college level with Iona College (MAAC).

Eric is well-trained in skill development spending five years as a head instructor with Robby Glantz Power Skating. During this time he traveled the country working with NHL, AHL, college, and many youth hockey players on power skating and skill development.

Eric resides in Frisco, Texas with his wife Mikki.

Midget Major AA

Tom Kowal will be our Midget Major AA Head Coach. This will be Tom's fourth season coaching in DJHA.

Tom grew up playing AAA hockey in Anchorage, Alaska.  He went on to play Junior hockey for the Omaha Lancers (USHL) and Division I college hockey at both the University of Alaska-Anchorage (WCHA) and the University of Nebraska-Omaha (CCHA). 

After college Tom broke into coaching.  He spent two seasons as an assistant coach in the USHL with Omaha and Tri-City.  He then moved over to the NAHL where he spent two seasons as an assistant coach for the Youngstown Phantoms

Midget Major AA Assistant Coach

Kelly grew up playing hockey right here in Dallas. He started in 1967 before there was an organized association in town. He played for DJHA in its inaugural 1971-72 season. He finished up playing for North Texas State University in 1982.

Kelly believes that Hockey teaches life’s lessons. He works hard to emphasize the intricacies that parallel between this great game and real life. He has a true love of the “FUN’” that is always present in youth Hockey.

Kelly has coached youth hockey for the past 9 season.

Midget Minor 92 AA
Pee Wee Minor 97

Brad Larson will coach our Pee Wee Minor 97 team and our Midget Minor 92AA team. Brad will be entering his second coaching stint with DJHA.  He previously coached for the Penguins in the 2005-06 season before moving over to coach AAA at Texas Attack. Brad spent the 2007-08 season coaching Tier III Junior A hockey for the Dallas Hawks of the WSHL. 

Brad grew up in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota where he played both youth travel and high school varsity hockey. During his HS hockey career Brad was selected for the prestigious Minnesota Model Camp which is an invite only camp for the top Division I college prospects in the state of Minnesota. After HS Brad played two seasons of Junior “A” hockey. One with the Helena Ice Pirates (AFHL) and one with the Jacksonville Hammerheads (SEHL). He went on to play college hockey at St. Clair Shores College in Windsor, Ontario where his team won the 2001/02 OCHA Championship. Following college, he played and with the Texarkana Bandits if the GCHL.

Brad has been coaching in Dallas for more than 5 years. During this time coached all levels B through AAA and has also coached HS hockey for Plano West.  In addition he has worked several camps and been one of the top private lesson coaches in town.  Brad has helped develop many successful hockey players during his time here.  

Brad is married, has a three year old son and resides in Plano.

Midget Minor 93 AA

David Lee will be our 93AA head coach.  This will be David's 3rd year coaching Dallas.  Two seasons ago he was an assistant with the Attack U16AAA team and last year was the Attack 96AAA head coach. In addition he coached the Ice Jets 97AA team to the NTXHL Squirt AA Championship last season.

David grew up playing hockey in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.  He went on to play Junior hockey in the USHL for the North Iowa Huskies before returning back home to play college hockey.  David currently works as the Director of Hockey Operations for the North American Hockey League in Frisco, Texas.

Midget Minor A

Chris Blackmon will be our Midget Minor A Head Coach. He was born and raised in Longview, TX and started playing hockey when he was 8 years old.   He played all of his minor hockey here in Dallas for DJHA, the Dallas Storm and the Dallas Stars AAA program.  He played 3 years of Junior A hockey for the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL in British Columbia, Canada and received a partial scholarship to play Division 3 hockey at The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota.  He helped run hockey camps here in Dallas for 2 years for HOCKEY TUFF with Brent Severyn.  

This will be his second full year coaching and he brings a lot of experience not only on the ice but off the ice as well.  His goal is to teach young players the game of hockey and give them the knowledge on how to play the game

Bantam AA

Michael Aigen grew up playing Tier I travel hockey in Rockland County, New York.  While playing varsity hockey in high school, he was named All-County, All-Section, his school's Male Athlete of the Winter Season, and the local newspaper's Scholar Athlete of the Week.  After high school, he played college hockey at Tufts University in Massachusetts.  While in law school, he played on the club hockey team for George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Michael has been coaching at the bantam level for DJHA for the last 2 seasons.  Last year, his Bantam Minor A team finished 46-11-3, went undefeated to win the NTXHL playoffs, and went 5-0 to win the Chicago Midwinter Classic.  Additionally, he was an instructor at the Texas Attack Spring Training Camp.  While in New York, he coached house league teams at various age levels and was an instructor at several different hockey clinics.

Michael's brother, Jason Aigen, has accepted a position as a math teacher at The Hockaday School, will be moving down to Texas, and will serve as assistant coach. Jason's extensive coaching experience includes serving as head coach at Loomis Chaffee Prep School in Windsor, Connecticut, which participates as a Division I prep school in the prestigious Founders League. Prior to coaching prep school hockey he spent time coaching all levels of youth hockey in Texas, Colorado, Florida and New York from pee wee through midget, at both the Tier I & II levels, as well as serving as head coach of the Colorado School of Mines college club team for four years. 

Bantam Major 94

Kevin Bakke is a young coach with fresh ideas and a new outlook on coaching. He grew up in Saskatchewan, Canada where he played minor hockey as a goalie. During the off-season Kevin was a part of the Athletes in Action Hockey camps and other various summer hockey camps. He has always had a passion for the game and looks to instill that life long passion in his players.

With his focus on developing young men to reach their potential both on and off the ice, he creates an atmosphere and attitude of success. He puts the responsibility on the players to perform with discipline, sportsmanship and effort. You can never dismiss his desire and determination to win. Every player chosen for his team will get ice time and an opportunity to succeed and fail, and to learn from both.

Kevin is a Level 4 coach in the USA Coaching program. He has been coaching in the Frisco/Plano/McKinney area for the past four years with the Dallas Stars Youth Hockey League and this past year with DJHA as well. His DSYHL team has just won their third straight Metroplex Midget Championship. Kevin has also been invited to coach the East All Stars in the season ending All Star Game.

Kevin will be entering his second season with DJHA. His first year in the organization was very successful. He took his team into six tournaments, including Pittsburgh PA., Colorado Springs, CO., and Chicago Il., as well as two of the local tournaments, including Silver Sticks. In those tournaments he made the finals four times. In the regular season standings Kevin’s team swept the final weekend in Houston to move from fifth place to third. His team then gained seven out of a possible eight points to guarantee their spot in the championship finals. Although losing the finals in very tight games, there was a huge sense of accomplishment.

Kevin is an outgoing coach with a great understanding of what is important to his players. We welcome him back and wish him even more success in the season that approaches.

Bantam Minor 95 AAA/AA

Bob grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  He played for his high school hockey team in Pittsburgh, and played college hockey at Iowa State University.

The 2008-2009 season will be Bob’s eleventh year of coaching youth

hockey, and sixth as Head Coach with the 95 Dallas Penguins.  Last season, his 2007-08 Pee Wee 95 AA Penguins captured the USA Hockey - Texas State Championship, the USA Hockey - Rocky Mountain District Championship in Provo, Utah, and finished third in the nation at the 2008 USA Hockey Tier II – U12 National Championship tournament in Hackensack, NJ.  Bob holds a USA Hockey, Level 4 Coaching Certificate.  His coaching philosophy rests on the foundation of three principles:  Teamwork, Positive Attitude, and Skill Development.

Bantam 95 AA/A

Pee Wee Minor 97 AAA/AA

Lucas enters the 2008/09 season as his first with The Dallas Penguins.  Although he is new to DJHA he brings a wealth of experience to the association.  Locally Lucas has coached with Plano West High School (JV), The Texas Attack (94).  Most recently he held the positions as Director of Coaches and General Manager of the Dallas Hawks youth program and Junior A Hockey Club.  He was also the Head Coach of their Peewee AA club.  Last July Lucas helped guide Team Texas 96 to a Third place finish at the One Hockey International Tournament in Philadelphia, a team which included current and former Penguin players.

Prior to coming to Dallas 3 years ago Lucas was in a fulltime position with Hockey Canada as their Athletic Development Director in their Saskatchewan branch.  In this position he worked intimately with World Under 17 World Championships. 

Aside from his duties with Hockey Canada Lucas was a Regional Scout in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the Moose Jaw Warriors where he remains a U.S liaison for the club.  Lucas was also in his first season as a Co-Head Coach as the Regina Pat Canadians Midget AAA Hockey Club when he left for Dallas.

This is Lucas’ seventh season as a Head Coach at the youth hockey level.  He has had the opportunity to coach at almost every age level from A to AAA as well as National and International competition.  His experience in the game both on the ice and off is vast.  His connection to AAA, Junior and College hockey has helped guide a lot of his former players up the hockey ladder.

Aside from standing behind the bench and sitting in his chair in the Hockey Canada office Lucas has been involved in many development camps worldwide.  Lucas has traveled and taught from Europe to Arizona and everywhere in between.  He’s instructed 4 year olds at Nike Skills Camps to blowing the whistle at the Peary Pearns 3 on 3 NHL Conditioning Leagues.

Lucas looks forward to his new challenge with the Penguins.  He is very excited with the outlook of both his teams.  “DJHA is the most respected and has the richest history of any organization in Texas.  I was very fortunate and thrilled to join the coaching staff.  They have a great group of kids at all levels, a superb group of coaches already in place and a board that continues to thrive and keep DJHA a great environment to develop young men”  states Coach Reid.

Bantam A & Squirt Minor 99

Coach Richard Sleavin enters his 5th year coaching minor hockey in Dallas, 4th with DJHA.  Coach Sleavin believes intensity, work ethic, passion and attention to detail, are important keys of development.  Richard brings a unique perspective having coached both; individual skill development and team preparations.

After playing in Europe for parts of 00-01, 01-02, and for the Dallas Sabre's Richard has been coaching Mites through High School and Div. III Club College. Currently teaches classes and private lessons at Dr. Pepper Star Centers

Coaching Experience:

07-08 DJHA PW A 1st place finish, NTXHL Champions

           Allen HS, JV Gold, Playoff Qualifier

           DJHA 8U Mite Development

06-07 Alliance PW AA, Finalist
           Allen HS, JV Gold, 1st place finish, League Champions

05-06 DJHA PW A, Playoff Qualifier

           Allen HS, JV Silver

04-05 DJHA Squirt A, NTXHL Champions

           UNT Div. III Club, CHSW Champions

03-04 UNT Div. III Club, CHSW Champions

01-Present Dr. Pepper StarCenter, Instructor, Skill Development

97-01 Instructor, Puck Power Hockey

97-01 Instructor, Ice Bound

94-96 Instructor, Hockey Training Institute, Ont. CA

Pee Wee AA

Mark is a native of Phoenix, Arizona and comes to DJHA with a wealth of coaching and leadership experience. Mark is a successful entrepreneur and investor as well as the CEO of PFSweb Inc, a Plano, TX based public company that provides outsourcing services and web commerce capabilities to the world’s leading brand names.

Mark holds a level 4 USA Hockey coaching certification and has over 9 years of youth travel hockey and select baseball coaching experience. After his multi sport playing years during high school, Mark has remained active in youth hockey as not only a student of the game, but as a successful coach and mentor for his teams. Mark’s goal is to teach youth not only about the game they love, but also about important life skills they can gain through the game.

Mark has experience coaching youth from High School (Midgets & Bantams) age to mini-mites and his teams have continuously recorded winning season records and tournament championships. In addition to coaching at DJHA, Mark is the Junior Varsity coach for Plano East High School and is the founder and head coach of the Texas Longhorns, a summer tournament team hockey association. Mark has previously coached with the Texas Aces and Dallas Metro Titans associations

Squirt Major 98 AA

Kevin was born in Ottawa, Canada and grew up playing AAA youth hockey in Toronto and Ottawa, being a part of many successful championship teams.  He went on to play Tier 2 CJHL and Tier 1 Major Junior in the OHL.  During his Major Junior time he had the pleasure of being coached by Jacques Martin and being part of the Memorial Cup Champion Guelph Platers.  Kevin got back into Hockey when his sons showed an interest to learn and play the game.

Kevin brings a unique perspective having played and been coached at the top levels in Canada.  He understands the foundation of successful competitive hockey is based on skill development, team concept, and keeping it fun while increasing the breadth and depth of the game.

Squirt 98/99 A

Coach Lefebvre was born in Montreal Canada. Mike grew up playing his Minor and Junior Hockey in the QMHA and QMJHL. Coach Lefebvre is holds his USA Hockey Level 4 Coaching certification and has spent the last 10 years coaching winning teams both in San Jose, California and Dallas.

Mite Major

Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Mark started playing hockey at the age of 9.  As a goalie, he played competitive hockey in Canada, Germany, and the U.S. until his late teens.  Once back in Canada, Mark continued to play competitive hockey until he moved to Dallas in 1998. 

Mark started coaching with the Dr. Pepper Star Center in Duncanville in 2004, and joined DJHA Organization for the 2007-2008 hockey season as Assistant coach with the Mite Major Penguins. 

Mark is married with one son, age 8, and is owner and President of Cedar Hill Auto Sales and Cedar Hill Automotive.  Mark and his family are currently in the process of moving to the Plano area from Cedar Hill.

Mite Development Premier

Mike was born and raised in Sarnia, Ontario where he played all of his minor hockey.  A personal highlight of his youth hockey was being a captain of the Bantam AA International Silver Stick championship team in 1990.  Mike played many sports growing up including football, basketball and swimming. 

Mike moved to the Metroplex in 1998 for school and almost immediately began to coach hockey at the High School level, serving as Irving’s Varsity Head Coach for 3 seasons.  He moved to Frisco in 2000 and became part of the coaching staff for the Frisco Ice Hockey Association where he has now coached for 7 consecutive years at both the Varsity and JV levels.  He has been their JV Head Coach for the past 3 seasons.  This past season, he also helped to lead the Mini-Mite program at the Frisco DPSC.  Mike has obtained his level 4 USA Hockey Coaching certification.

After 10 years of coaching hockey, Mike knows that a commitment to basic skills is critical at any level of hockey.  Knowing that the on-ice systems are dependent on the skills of the players makes it obvious that the focus of coaching youth should be on skills.  Add fun to the mix and success will follow.