Coach Steve Nearman

A lifelong advocate for the underdog, Coach Nearms has been fighting for equal opportunities for all since high school. Out of college, he was a Big Brother for eight years in Arlington, VA, then gave 16 years to the Board of Directors of Child and Family Network Centers of Alexandria, VA (13 years as Board Chair), helping provide no-cost preschool each year for more than 200 at-risk four-year-olds primarily from African American and Hispanic families as well as people displaced from war-torn countries. His work as Lead for the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team in Plymouth and Bristol counties brought financial aid 24/7 to hundreds of fire victims especially in low-income areas. Framingham South High school yearbook quote - "The world was meant to share, let them know you care by making someone's life worth living."

David Watt

Former National Nonprofit Executive of a Running and Sports Medicine nonprofit for 16 years (2002-2018). Focused on increasing physical activity in youth by running, especially the mile.

Previous positions include Marketing Manager for a world class marathon.

Former Naval Flight Officer and military analyst

Completed 20 marathons including 3 Boston Marathons

Melanie Nearman

Melanie, mother of three including a son with autism who is one of the team's goaltenders, has been the Board Treasurer from the start. She had a career in nursing and electronic medical records before committing to a career in cybersecurity, which she is currently studying in college.

An avid walker and cyclist, and the wife of our Board President, Melanie would like to re-learn how to skate one day so she can hang out with the team on the ice.

Coach Bill Wedge

Mr. Wedge is the welcoming face of the team, making nearly every practice, game and travel tournament since 2020. His inspiring photos have graced our Facebook and Instagram sites but also magazines including Hockey News. The best right-hand man in the business, Mr. Wedge also can be found behind the bench making sure players are going on and coming off the ice in sync.

Coach John Nathan

A lifelong coach and sports enthusiast, Coach John has shared his mastery of hockey, basketball, soccer and other sports at the youth level, including Bourne High School and Pembroke Youth Hockey. As a soccer coach, Coach John has 4 US Soccer Federation Coaching Licenses - USSF "D" "E" "F" and "G." And a USA Hockey Level 4 CEP Certification. Thru Hockey Canada and Hockey Saskatchewan he is a certified Respect in Sport Activity Leader. In days gone by, he was even seen wearing the zebra shirt! Coach John helps us to maintain our world-class learn-to-skate program.

Coach Michael Breen

In 2018, after 21 years, Coach Mike retired from coaching high school hockey. But not before winning States with his 2006-2007 Scituate High team. A fitting story to a Scituate High hockey hero himself in the '70s. He grew up in a rink that his grandfather build one of the first around in the South Shore…it was in Cohasset off of RT 3A called “The Winter Gardens” - that’s where his love for the game started and since those days, he has wanted to share the love of the game to everyone! “Be strong in kindness.”

Coach Paul Varley

Starting late in life, Coach Paul still found a passion and drive for all things hockey. You may have even seen some of his off-ice handy work for the Blizz whether a sticker on a helmet, magnet on your fridge or car or even a cool new event logo (summer camp, July parade, SHI Boston 2024). Ever generous with his time, Coach Paul can also be found coaching in less fortunate hockey communities across the globe with Friendship League.

Coach Ken Silva

Coach Ken has been involved with hockey since he was first on skates at 5 years old. He is a Cape Cod native and an avid Boston Bruins fan who lettered at Barnstable High School. He has been coaching both his sons in the South Shore Seahawks town program since 2015 and is currently a CEP Level 4 working on his Level 5 CEP Certification with USA Hockey, the highest certification you can get for coaching hockey.

Coach Jack McIntosh

Coach Jack played four years at Colgate University graduating in 1997. Hard to imagine this gentle man led the team in penalty minutes senior year!! He started coaching the first year out of college and haven't stopped. Coach Jack currently coaches a National team in the Militia program. “Fun fact: If scrabble or jigsaw puzzling was a professional sport I would be a pro athlete!”

Coach Joe Coletti

Coach Coletti started playing hockey in Plymouth in 1975 and fell in love with the game instantly. He continued to play organized hockey through Youth leagues, High School and Div 3 College. Then Coach Coletti coached Pembroke Youth and Duxbury Youth hockey from 2005 through 2016 and was the Head coach for the 98-99 Birth Years, for the Breakers Elite U-16’s teams. Since 2019, he has been helping coach the Great Blizz with other amazing coaches. He still plays hockey with longtime local community friends around the Southshore in organized men’s leagues.

Coach Adam Alexander

Coach Adam’s love for hockey began at age three and he played competitively throughout his youth with Cape Cod Canal Youth Hockey, Wareham Middle and High School, and Rhode Island College. Since 2012, he has been a certified USA Hockey official.

Inspired by his mother’s work in special education, he founded Best Buddies chapters at both Wareham High School and Rhode Island College and began his professional journey at Cardinal Cushing Academy in Hanover, MA. Today, Coach Adam is not only a passionate advocate for inclusion and education, but also a proud husband and father to two beautiful daughters. As Mark Messier once said, “Hockey is a game of fun. If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right.” It is obvious that Coach Adam tried to bring that same spirit into every part of life.

Coach Joe Shea

“My name is Joseph Shea. I’m 8 yrs old and I love the game of hockey. My Aunt has special needs (Cri-Du-Chat Syndrome) and I like helping her and others on the team learn how to skate and learn to play the game. We have a lot of fun!”

Coach Jeff Hemphill

Coach Jeff has been coaching hockey for over 20 years and joined The Great Blizz coaching staff three years ago. He brings a passion for the game of hockey and patience for all players on the ice. His goal is to create a space where every athlete feels seen and supported. He shares his joy of the game with all players.

Coach Jack de Brun

"My name is Jack de Brun and I play town hockey for the WHK Hawks. I assisted with The Great Blizz last year and enjoyed helping the players grow."

Coach Maren Higgins

Coach Maren is a dedicated goalie who plays for multiple club teams, including the Bay State Breakers Girls U14 Tier 1. An all-around athlete, she also enjoys softball and loves staying active through rollerblading, playing catch, and spending time outdoors. Always up for a game or adventure, Maren brings energy and enthusiasm to every team and activity she joins. The 2025-2026 season is her rookie year with The Blizz.

Coach Rich Murphy

Coach Beatrice Hare

Coach Patty McDonald

Coach Patty is a Vocational Coordinator and Special Ed Teacher at Riverview School in Sandwich. Each week she brings 15-plus Riverview students to the rink and remarkably gets them all on the ice for practice. She attended high school in hockey-rich Minnesota, played NYC Hockey Club in New York City and participated in the Canal Youth Hockey in Bourne. And at one time she worked for National Hockey League!

Coach John Robertson

Coach John grew up playing hockey in Toronto. He spent many days and evenings at Maple Leaf Gardens watching his uncle who played Junior and Senior A hockey as well as his favorite Toronto Maple Leafs, who he believes are going to win the Stanley Cup this year. His favorite player, undoubtedly is Wayne Gretzky and Wayne’s famous quote “100% of the shots you never take won’t go in“. In his third season with The Blizz, Coach John still plays two to three times a week on the Cape.

Coach Maddie Alper

Coach Maddie grew up playing hockey on the Cape at Tony Kent and at Barnstable High School. When not coaching, Coach Maddie is a behavior analyst working with students in Barnstable as well as working a Friday Night Social program for adults in Barnstable and beyond. Coach Maddie grew up playing hockey on the Cape at Tony Kent and at Barnstable High School. When not coaching, Coach Maddie is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst working with Pre-K and elementary students in the Barnstable school district as well as working a Friday Night Social program for adults in Barnstable and beyond.

Favorite Quote: "Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain."

Coach Tom Mahoney

Coach Tom played high school hockey for Norwell and then at the club collegiate level for University of Tennessee in the ACHA. This is his third season with The Great Blizz and his sister Laura is a teammate. A fun fact is that we are “Irish twins!”

Coach Sean Mahoney

Coach Sean is a lifelong hockey enthusiast who was very active in playing and coaching. Although Sean now works in Denver, he spends a lot of time in Plymouth and loves seeing the progress his daughter, Laura is making with the Great Blizz Hockey team. Laura has taught Sean a motto that he shares with his friends and colleagues: “Life is Hard; Life is Great”.

Coach Kieley Steadman

Engineer by trade, hockey player at heart. From learning to walk on skates to years on the ice, hockey has shaped who Coach Kieley is. His passion now is helping young players experience the same growth and joy the game has given him. It helps that he worked with Project Forward. Coach Kieley’s spare time is spent playing hockey or enjoying his time with my daughter.

Favorite quote: “You don’t lose if you get knocked down; you lose if you stay down.” - Muhammad Ali

Coach Benjamin Perry 

My name is Ben Perry, and I am entering my freshman year at Barnstable High School. I have been playing hockey since I was five and am looking forward to coaching for my third season with the Blizzard.

Coach Cullen Hunt

Initially it was Coach Cullen’s brother Keegan who joined the team but it wasn’t long that Coach Cullen took to the ice to coach with the team. With his fast young legs, he and Coach Ben can keep up with the fastest of our players.

Coach Miles Midioun

Like Coach Cullen, Coach Miles could not resist taking to the ice as his brother Sam has been a sparkplug from the Riverview contingent. Coach Miles brings his experience as a Special Olympics basketball coach at Riverview to The Great Blizz.

Coach Leah Bertling

The Barnstable High student has done Youth Hockey coaching through Barnstable Youth Hockey and Little Bruins Learn to Skate. This is her first year with the Blizz.

Coach J.P. Giuliotti

A lifelong hockey player and coach, JP spent eight years coaching the California Condors Special Needs Hockey Club, the first special needs team of Southern California. The Massachusetts native played college hockey at Suffolk University and now serves as their home Public Address announcer for the men and women's teams. This multi-talented coach also is an established actor. “One of my fav quotes is: "It's okay to look at your past, but it is not okay to stare at it."

Coach Nina McLelland

With a lifelong passion for the ice, Coach Nina began skating at just 18 months old and went on to become a U.S. Figure Skating gold medalist. Coach Nina has coached figure skating in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire, bringing years of technical expertise and a deep love for the sport to every practice. She also played competitive hockey at St. Mary’s High School in Lynn, MA, and at Kents Hill School in Maine. Beyond the rink, Coach Nina is a dedicated special education teacher with a master’s degree in Moderate Disabilities (PreK–8).

Coach Matthew McLelland

The other half of the McLelland Duo, Coach Matthew says: “I’ve been passionate about hockey for as long as I can remember. I played high school hockey at Reading Memorial High School before continuing at New Hampton Prep, where I had the opportunity to develop my skills at a higher level. From there, I went on to play college hockey at Southern New Hampshire University. Through each stage of my playing career—high school, prep, and college—I’ve gained a deep understanding of the game and what it takes to succeed both on and off the ice. As a coach, I’m committed to helping players grow not just as athletes, but as teammates and leaders.”

Coach Patrick Collins

The Nahant resident is honored to be able to help coach one of the coolest hockey teams around! Coach Pat is a level 3 certified coach through USA Hockey. He has coached his daughter Paige the past four years on both boys (Winthrop Youth Hockey) and girls (Boston Americans) teams and has loved every moment. He has learned that hockey is the best vehicle to teach and learn valuable life lessons while having fun.

Coach Paige Collins

Daughter of Coach Patrick, Coach Paige is in her first year of coaching.                        

Coach Douglas Goodwin

In his first year of coaching, Coach Douglas has been playing hockey for 26 years.

Coach Richard Thibeau

Coach Dick has been playing hockey for the past 65 years. He coached Special Olympics Volleyball for 16 years and currently serves on the WINARC Board, an organization that enhances the lives of individuals with disabilities. Favorite Quote: Be a good teammate.

Coach Brad Lozier

First year coach out of Winthrop