Who Oversees USA Hockey’s ADM Program?
The following article outlines the team that has been put into place to spread the message about USA Hockey’s American Development model. Led by Ken Martel, the team will blanket the United States, and help hockey programs grow strong players in a healthy manner while building excitement for the game of hockey.
A two-time Olympian. An NHL coach who helped create the National Team Development Program. A pair of highly respected Division I college coaches. A decorated Air Force officer with hockey experience at the highest levels. If Ken Martel has proven anything during his years as the recruiting coordinator for the National Team Development Program, it is that he knows talent when he sees it.
Martel, the director of the American Development Model, has put together a staff that will carry the word of USA Hockey’s revolutionary program, designed to improve the quality and quantity of American players involved in the game from Mites to Midgets.
“You win with the quality of people you have, and we have tremendous people with great backgrounds in hockey,” said Martel, who was one of the main architects of the program. “By the time we’re done, we’ll have 150 years of hockey experience working for the ADM.”
To date, Martel has hired five of the six regional managers who will serve as mentors for associations around the country. He is hoping to bring in the final member of his team in the coming weeks. Each member of the team not only brings an impressive resume to the position but also the passion to usher this groundbreaking program into this season and beyond.
- Roger Grillo, who spent the last 12 seasons as the head coach at Brown University, will serve as the ADM regional manager for New England and Massachusetts.
- Scott Paluch, who coached his Alma Mater at Bowling Green State University for the past seven seasons, will work the Mid-Am and Southeast Districts. “It was a difficult decision only because I spent the last 20 years as a college coach,” said Paluch. “It was an easy decision because of the merits of the ADM and the ability to make an impact on youth hockey.”
- Joe Doyle, a 20-year veteran of the United States Air Force with more than 35 years of experience with USA Hockey as a player, coach, evaluator and volunteer, will oversee the Rocky Mountain and Pacific Districts.
- Bob Mancini, who spent the past two seasons as a development coach for the Edmonton Oilers and has extensive coaching experience in the collegiate ranks and with USA Hockey, will oversee Michigan and parts of the Central and Mid-Am Districts. “I’m thrilled to be back,” said Mancini, one of the original coaches with the NTDP. “As much as I love the NHL and the Edmonton Oilers, this was too good an opportunity to be involved with. “I believe in USA Hockey, and the ADM. I believe in making kids better and improving their environment. I really believe that this is a position where we can really make a difference.”
- Guy Gosselin, a member of the 1988 and 1992 U.S. Olympic Teams, will lend his considerable expertise to coaches in Minnesota, the Dakotas and Wisconsin. He has extensive experience working at both the youth hockey and collegiate levels, and has worked in the rink industry in suburban Milwaukee.
The final regional manager is slated to work with the New York and Atlantic Districts. While no timetable has been set, Martel is working hard to narrow down a list of candidates in hopes of filling the position as quickly as possible.
“There’s still so much that needs to be done,” said Martel. “We could’ve used this program in place 10 years ago. Think of how far we’d be as a hockey-playing nation if this were put in place 10 years ago. We feel like we’re taking baby steps, but getting things done takes time.”
Editor’s note: For more information on USA Hockey’s American Development Model, Please click here.
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