TEams & Coaches

2023-24 Season

2023-24 Team Offerings & Head Coaches

Steve Novodor

Tier 1 Midget Director/. 15 Head Coach

Steve Novodor is a National Champion Coach for the Junior Bulldogs. Prior to joining the Bulldogs, Coach Novodor spent numerous seasons in the Junior Bobcats/Wolf Pack organization, coaching at the Pee-Wee, Bantam, and Midget levels. In 2013, Coach Novodor led his team to the USA Hockey U16 National Championship game, falling just short against the Chicago Mission and returned in and 2017 to bring home the championship. Steve is one of the premier hockey coaches in the country. His knowledge, integrity, and passion for developing players is invaluable in elevating the Youth Hockey experience for all of our membership.” In addition to his work at the youth hockey level, Coach Novodor also is an Assistant Coach at Loomis Chaffee Prep School, helping build the Pelicans into the powerhouse that they currently are. He also serves as a scout for the USHL Central Scouting, the only Tier 1 Junior Hockey League in the United States.

Jon Bellonio

Tier 1 Midget Director / U16 Head Coach

Jon is a coach for the Junior Bulldogs Midget Program, serving as a coach of the U-16 Tier 1 Split Season team. Coach Bellonio has extensive experience throughout prep, junior, and college hockey. From 2011-2014, Bellonio spent three years as an assistant coach at Wesleyan College. Prior to joining the Cardinals, Coach Bellonio spent time in the USHL as a coach for the Lincoln Stars. He also coached in the EJHL with the Philadelphia Revolution and began his career as an Assistant Coach at South Kent Prep School. Jon has exceptional coaching experience at all levels and does remarkable job connecting with, developing, and motivating players to help them reach their full potential on and off the ice.

Shawn Conner

Operations / U18 Head Coach

A native of Connecticut, Shawn has over 20 years of hockey experience Shawn currently and has coached the U18 National team for the Junior Bulldogs for the past five seasons and is seeking another trip to the USA Hockey National Championships. In addition to his coaching and administrative responsibilities Shawn is the New England Scout for the Northeast Generals of the North American Hockey League. Before coming to the Bulldogs Shawn spent three seasons with Mid Fairfield. During his time there, Shawn served as Head Coach for the U18 team as well as an Assistant Coach for the U16 team. Shawn’s teams qualified for the USA Hockey National Championships each season and in 2017 the U18 team was the USA Hockey National Champions. Over his 20 plus seasons of coaching Shawn has coached all levels including youth, high school, junior and college. In the past 10 season's Shawn has assisted with placing over 100 of his players into college and some of the top junior programs in the country. Shawn currently works for the State of Connecticut and resides in Vernon, CT with his wife Amy and their daughter Mackenzie.

Phil Wright

2009 National Bound Head Coach

Phil has been coaching hockey at all levels for 10 years. He is currently coaching the Junior Bulldogs 2009 AAA team and is one of Yale Youth Hockey’s longest tenured coaches. Prior to joining the Bulldogs, Phil spent two years as an assistant coach at Notre Dame West Haven, winning a state championship in 2012. Before beginning his coaching career, Phil was a captain at Notre Dame West Haven, before moving on to play at Northfield Mount Hermon. He then played junior hockey with the Jr. Wolfpack. He is a USA Hockey Level 4 certified coach who also works as a physical education and health teacher.

Frank Butler

2010 Head Coach

Frank has been a member of the Bulldogs staff the last several year coaching u14 as well as U16. Frank has a wealth of hockey experience both on and off the ice. Frank is currently serves as the Player Development Coordinator for the USHL. The East Haven, Conn. native served as an Eastern USA Scout with the Tri-City Storm during the 2020-21 season. Formerly a forward at Nichols College, Butler served as Captain his senior season and was a three-time member of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Northeast Academic All-Conference Team. Butler's senior season included a spot on the ECAC Northeast First Team after finishing his career seventh in goals and 15th in points in Nichols College history.

Shaun Hannah

2010 Assistant Coach

Dylan Butler

2010 Assistant Coach

Rich Minnix

U14 AA Independent Head Coach

Steve Rosenkrantz

U14 AA Independent Head Coach

Rosenkrantz has coached for both the Wonderland Wizards and Southern Stars organizations and has won 2 state championships. 

Steve grew up playing roller hockey in California from age 7-15 and began playing ice hockey at 12 years old. In high school, Steve led the league in scoring in 2 of his 3 seasons in Long Island and attended the Long Island all-star game. 

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Paul Gilbert

U14 A Head Coach

My hockey career started with West Haven Youth Hockey and proceeded to play for Notre Dame of West Haven 1999-2002 where I won a D1 state championship as a senior. I’ve been coaching the game since 2008 and haven’t looked back since. I’ve been a coach with Yale youth hockey since 2015. Coaching each age group House through Midgets I love seeing each player develop their game practice by practice. Nothing is better than seeing kids get off the ice with a smile on their face. The best part of being a coach is when you see players use skills in a game they were taught in practice!

James Greenwood

U14 A1 Head Coach

James has coached at Yale Youth Hockey for several years He has coached for the Connecticut Junior Rangers Summer Mite 2010's and The Wallingford Hawks Youth Hockey Mites. He works semi-privately with several players. James finished his hockey playing career winning the 1997 Connecticut State High School Division One Championship as a senior defensemen for Notre Dame West Haven. James went on to play Division One College tennis for Quinnipiac University. He won the 24hrs of Stratton Ski race in Vermont at age 36 and 37 two years in a row competing against over 400 racers each year. He held the record in North America for most vertical feet skied in 24hrs. He coaches hockey, tennis and lacrosse and uses a blend of techniques learned throughout his playing and coaching career to instill confidence in his players.


Shane Trotta

U14 Girls Tier 2 Head Coach

John Weiss

U14 Girls Tier 2 Head Coach

Brian Moriarty

2011 AA Head Coach

Brian began playing hockey at the age of 5. After his youth hockey career, Brian attended West Haven High school. He continued his playing career at Western Connecticut State University. During his freshman year, Brian received ACHA’s Academic All-American award. After his freshman year, Brian finished his college career playing club at the University of New Haven.

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Joe Errico

2012 AA Head Coach

Joe began playing hockey for West Haven Youth Hockey until Peewee Major’s when he joined the AAA Connecticut Wolves. He played for the AAA CT Wolves from peewees, thru Juniors for the Wolves where he won a league championship and played at the 2006 Junior B National Championships. Joe then played NCAA Division III hockey for Salve Regina University. After completing his playing career, he began coaching as an Assistant Coach for West Haven Youth Hockey and then moved on to Midgets with the CT Wolfpack. Joe then joined Yale Youth Hockey as a head coach in 2016. Joe is a USA Hockey level 4 certified coach and has coached at the peewee and bantam levels for Yale including the Tier 1 AAA Bantam Major team and various AA teams.


Eric Gateman

U12 A Head Coach


Eric Gateman was born and raised outside Detroit, aka Hockeytown, where he played youth and junior hockey.  His playing career continued at Elmira College where he served 3 years as a captain of the JV team.  Gateman’s coaching career started in 2010 with Methuen Youth Hockey in Massachusetts. The 2023-24 season marks Coach Gateman’s 10th year with Yale Youth Hockey, where he has coached at every level from Learn to Play through Midgets.  Eric also serves as the Vice President and the Director of Operations and Coaching for Yale Youth Hockey. Coach Gateman, his wife and two sons live in Cheshire

Dayton Allderidge

U12 A1 Head Coach


My youth hockey career started with the Warriors and ended with the Connecticut Chiefs. I played High school hockey for Sheehan High for 4 seasons and won 3 SCC championships as well as state championship runner up. This will be my third season coaching with Yale and I pride myself in preparing players for their future and in life.

Rich Minnix

2013 AA Head Coach

Steve Rosenkrantz

2013 AA Head Coach


Rosenkrantz has coached for both the Wonderland Wizards and Southern Stars organizations and has won 2 state championships. 

Steve grew up playing roller hockey in California from age 7-15 and began playing ice hockey at 12 years old. In high school, Steve led the league in scoring in 2 of his 3 seasons in Long Island and attended the Long Island all-star game. 

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Dave Sagnella

2014 AA Head Coach

Sagnella joined Yale Youth Hockey in 2014. Playing career: East Haven High School(2005), Winchendon Prep School (2006) and NCAA DIII at Western New England University (2010).

Coaching: Assistant at Daniel Hand High School from 2013-2017, Assistant at Lyman Hall 2017-2019. Head coach Lyman Hall 2019-present. Won a state championship with Daniel Hand High School in 2013 and Lyman Hall in 2019. CT Assistant Coach of the Year in 2019 and SCC Head Coach of the year in 2020.

Since joining Yale, I've coached at the A1 level and AA levels. 2009AA’s Squirt State Championship Tier 2 in 2019


Matthew Williams

10U A Head Coach


Gillian Gallagher

U8 Director


Coach Gillian "Gill" Gallagher is starting her fourth season with the Yale Youth Hockey Organization. The New Jersey native and current Milford CT Police officer brings a wealth of hockey knowledge to the Yale Bulldogs. Coach Gill’s hockey development, skill, and love for the game brought her to numerous select camps including Hockey Night in Boston, the University of Maine, as well as three years at the USA Hockey Olympic camp. Coach Gill played four years with Quinnipiac University’s Division 1 program, further building her ability to compete at the highest level. Upon graduation in 2005, Coach Gill received the Criminal Justice Service Award and was runner up for the Hockey Humanitarian Award. Transitioning into coaching, Coach Gill brings the same sharp focus to that role as she did as player. As a USA Hockey Level 5 coach with a thesis in Off-Ice Training, Coach Gill’s expertise is in skill development and power skating. She is also currently coaching at Westport Staples High School Boys Varsity head assistant coach and will be starting her 5th season with the Wreckers.

John Mendes

U8 Coach

Paul Gilbert

In House Director


My hockey career started with West Haven Youth Hockey and proceeded to play for Notre Dame of West Haven 1999-2002 where I won a D1 state championship as a senior. I’ve been coaching the game since 2008 and haven’t looked back since. I’ve been a coach with Yale youth hockey since 2015. Coaching each age group House through Midgets I love seeing each player develop their game practice by practice. Nothing is better than seeing kids get off the ice with a smile on their face. The best part of being a coach is when you see players use skills in a game they were taught in practice!

Jon Bellonio

Learn to Play Director

Jon is a coach for the Junior Bulldogs Midget Program, serving as a coach of the U-16 Tier 1 Split Season team. Coach Bellonio has extensive experience throughout prep, junior, and college hockey. From 2011-2014, Bellonio spent three years as an assistant coach at Wesleyan College. Prior to joining the Cardinals, Coach Bellonio spent time in the USHL as a coach for the Lincoln Stars. He also coached in the EJHL with the Philadelphia Revolution and began his career as an Assistant Coach at South Kent Prep School. Jon has exceptional coaching experience at all levels and does remarkable job connecting with, developing, and motivating players to help them reach their full potential on and off the ice.


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