Coach Biographies

Sean “Sully” Sullivan (Hockey Director, Bantam AA, Mite Black)

Sean has played organized hockey for 19 years. Sean played Junior A Hockey in both the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL) for the Philadelphia Revolution, as well as the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL)for the Collingwood Blackhawks. In his collegiate career, Sean played for SUNY Cortland in the SUNYAC and then went on to play as a member of the Federal Hockey League (FHL) for the Brewster Bulldogs and Cornwall Nationals. 

Sean has coached for over 10 years working with all ages and skill levels. Throughout his years of playing and instructing Sean has gained valuable coaching experience. Sean privately runs lessons, group lessons and clinics on and off the ice. This experience has led Sean to being one of the most sought after coaches in the area. Sean’s passion on the ice translates to the players he coaches, ensuring each player reaches their full potential while having the best on ice experience.

Prior to SHA, Sean was the Director of Hockey Operations for Bronxville Youth Hockey Association for three years. In this role Sean was responsible for all coaches on staff and putting together a curriculum and methodology for the coaches to follow. Sean has also served as one of BYHA’s skills coaches. He worked individually with each BYHA team on ice for scheduled skill/skating sessions throughout the season. 

Don Kelly (Mite Yellow)

Coach Donny was born and raised in Ridgefield and started his hockey career as a 6 year old in the Ridgefield Developmental Program. Donny continued to play hockey for RAHA and the RHS Tigers team. Donny joined the Marine Corps after high school, and then went on to a career in law enforcement and private security.  After his time in the Marines, Donny returned to Ridgefield to coach with his father, Don Kelly Sr. Donny and his father coached in Ridgefield and in NYC with Joe Espinoza Sports. Donny recently retired and now wishes to give back to the community that gave him a great start in his life. Sports and fitness have been important his whole life, and now he’s ready to help the next generation of hockey stars!

Rob Miller - (Squirt AA)

Coach Rob joins the RAHA coaching staff with years of hockey experience in many different facets of the game. He played Division III college hockey at Salem State University followed by a career playing professional hockey in the Southern Professional Hockey League. Once his playing career was over he dedicated his time at the rink to coaching high school hockey in New Jersey, junior hockey in Massachusetts, and was the Head Coach and Team President of the Brooklyn Aviators that competed in the Federal Hockey League (professional). Throughout the summers in his college and professional playing days he was the Head Hockey Skills Instructor for camps in Minnesota, New York and New Hampshire. Rob lives in Ridgefield with his wife Melissa and their two children, Carson and Sloane. 

Kevin Perlowitz (Squirt A)

Coach Kevin grew up in Westchester County and just recently moved to Ridgefield in 2020. He has played hockey his whole life, started playing mini mites club hockey with the White Plains Plainsman, then the Harvey Cavaliers, Westchester Vipers and finally the Yonkers Kings. He played both forward and defense in high school for the Pleasantville-Westlake Ice Cats (now Mount Pleasant) winning 3 league championships and named league MVP senior year, and still holds the school record for points. Kevin played two years of college club hockey at SUNY Albany, ACHA Division 3, winning a MET conference championship and bids to the national tournament both years. Kevin was coaching the Westchester Vipers for the past three seasons and loves the chance to develop young hockey players and teach them about the game he loves. Kevin lives in Ridgefield with his wife and 8 month old daughter.  

Michele Gintoli (Squirt B)

Michele graduated from Kent School in 2006 and then Sacred Heart Univ in 2010. This is her 14th year coaching, 6th at RAHA, and she has her Level 4 CEP. In addition to RAHA, Michele coaches with the Stan Mikita Hockey School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at the USA Disabled Hockey Festival every year. She also co-captained the first ever US women's deaf national team. She currently plays on several teams in the Danbury area including co-captaining a women's travel team called the Danbury Battle Axes. Michele resides in Danbury where she works as a physical therapist assistant for Nuvance Health home care. 

Andrew Gibian (Peewee AA)

Andrew has been involved with hockey for his entire life, having grown up playing in the Mid-Fairfield, Rye Rangers and Greenwich Blues organizations before skating for Greenwich High School and in the NESCAC with Connecticut College. Post-college he coached a university team in Japan and has coached previously for the Darien Youth Hockey Association and RAHA, while watching his children play in youth hockey and on to prep school and beyond. Andrew continues to play hockey, rotating between his original position of defense and his newly adopted role of goaltender.  

Billy Casolo (Peewee A)

Billy grew up playing hockey in CT since he was 4 years old. In high school, Billy was team captain and 1st team All-State and FCIAC selection for both ice hockey and baseball. He graduated from Williams College in 2002 where he was team captain of the baseball team and went on to play baseball professionally in Europe. Billy has coached ice-hockey for over 15 years. He was a lead instructor for the STR hockey department under the tutelage of Mike Backman, former New York Ranger, and he was also an assistant coach for the NC Rams Girls Varsity ice hockey team for 9 years, recently winning an FCIAC and State championship. Billy is well tuned in the USA hockey ADM model and has great pleasure in creating fun and creative practice plans to best develop his players skills and confidence. Billy has a masters degree in education and currently resides in Ridgefield with his wife Emily and two hockey playing sons - Drew and Paxson.

Mike DeRienzo - (Peewee B)

Coach Mike grew up in Massachusetts playing youth hockey and was a four-year high school varsity player and was sole captain his senior year. Despite offers from D3 schools, a knee injury and the knowledge he'd never make it in the NHL was enough for him to focus on his education. He graduated with a BS in Business Management from Bentley University and a J.D. from Villanova University. After law school, he began his career working in high stakes litigation in New York City before he moved out to Connecticut with his wife and wanted to get back into coaching the game he loves.

Mike has coached at many different levels including head coaching positions for both public and private high schools in Connecticut and Massachusetts, head and assistant coaching for various squirt and peewee travel teams, helping to run a house program in Westchester, and consulting for junior programs in Utah. He also provides private lessons to everyone from those just learning to skate all the way to college kids. Mike and his wife are new residents of Ridgefield and looking forward to getting to know the community better through working with the future leaders of the game.

TJ Cline (Bantam AA & Mite White Head Coach)

TJ has over 20 years of coaching experience across all levels and ages. TJ is a premier skill development & shooting coach who focuses on mechanics and fundamentals. Coach Cline is the hockey development director for Top Shelf Hockey in Ridgefield and currently owns and operates the Hockey Shop at the Winter Garden Ice Arena in Ridgefield CT. TJ grew up in Buffalo NY where he played youth & Junior College hockey for the ECC Kats(NJCAA). Tj was recruited to Manhattanville College (NCAA lll) where he played and graduated in 2004. After college TJ played a few years semi-pro for the New England Stars (NEHL), Valley Forge Freedom (MAHL) and the Hudson Valley Bears (EPHL). TJ resides in CT and has been involved in and or around hockey his entire life and continues giving back to the game he loves!

Pete Bafundo (Bantam A)

Coach Pete is a staple within the RAHA program.  He has experience coaching at the U12, U14, U16 and U18 levels and 6 of those years were in the RAHA program. Coach Pete attended Siena College in Albany NY where he was a 4 year starter, he is a USA Hockey Level 4 Coach and also refereed hockey for 10 years before prior to his coaching career.  When asked, Coach Pete will tell you the reason he got into coaching was to make more of an impact on the players development on and off the ice. Coach Pete finds it extremely rewarding to watch someone master a skill or concept and apply them into game situations. When asked about his philosophy, Coach Pete says “I wouldn’t say that I have a specific philosophy, I believe you have to adapt to each season. My motto is Attitude, Effort, and Focus. Three things that each player needs to bring to every practice and game for us to be successful. I don’t judge success as how many wins or losses there are. Is the team better at the end of the year? That is my goal. I am dedicated and committed to the team and families. Coaching is something that is very important to me. I don’t miss practices or games and always show up very prepared for both. I expect the kids to work hard and have fun. Fun while playing hockey is also very important to me. Attendance is also something that is very important for us to be successful as a team.”

Jeffrey Crupi - (Bantam A1)

Growing up in Greenwich, Jeffrey played multiple sports including youth hockey with the Greenwich Blues. In college, Jeffrey played football and club hockey. Most notably Jeffrey played for the NFL from 1987-1990. Jeffrey presently owns Peak Personal Fitness LLC in Westport where he helps individuals of all ages reach their fitness goals.

Jeffrey has been a head hockey coach since 2016. He has coached the Brewster Bulldogs and Applecore as well as the Western Junior Colonials. He has worked with players to develop their game play skills and to learn the importance of teamwork. Jeffrey is highly motivated to work with players to produce a team that is constantly evolving and improving. He is excited to be a part of the Ridgefield Lions Association.

Cathie Bonner (Skating Coach)

Cathie has been a professional skating instructor for more than thirty years, teaching everyone from young children to children with special needs to adults. Cathie is also a hockey coach for the development program at Rippowam School. Skating is her passion and she has taught and directed at numerous rinks in both New York and Connecticut. Her three children all played hockey; her son played his entire career with RAHA and her two daughters played throughout prep school and college. Cathie lives in Ridgefield with her family, where her son is a Ridgefield firefighter. She enjoys spending time with her children and defrosting at the lake. 

Matt Grogan (Goaltending Coach)

Coach Matt is a 2014 UCONN Grad where he played on their division 1 hockey team. Matt earned goaltending champion in 2012-2013 and was also named third team all-league. In 2013 he was named Goalie Consultant Group Goaltender of the Year for his Division 1 performance. Following his collegiate career, Matt played professionally in the ECHL and SPHL. Coach Matt builds an excitement for hockey. Always engaged and interactive with each goalie he works with working through positive and encouragement to build confidence and enthusiasm for the game.