Private Lessons
The instructors at the TGH Ice Plex are available for private as well as group lessons. All of our staff instructors are highly qualified and are certified ISI, PSA or USA Hockey.
Once figure skaters have passed Freestyle 1, private instruction is encouraged to enhance development. Hockey Private lessons are available for all skill levels. Training ice time is available for skaters to have private lessons for a separate fee. For more information, please email the Skating Director, Tommy Brannen.
Coaching Staff
Professional Instructors
The instructors at the Ice Sports Forum Skating Academy are availabe for private as well as group lessons. All of our staff are qualified and are cerfified with the ISI or PSA.
Once skaters have passed Freestyle 1, private instruction is encouraged to enhance development. Training ice time is available for skaters to have private lessons for a separate fee. For more information, please email the Skating Director, Tommy Brannen.
TOMMY KOWALSKI
I have been coaching at TGH since 2014. Prior to beginning coaching I played high school hockey at Newsome, winning a state championship and served as varsity captain. I am now the current strength and skills coach for Newsome’s program and work with numerous other schools as well. My youth hockey I played around the Tampa area at the AAA level and eventually graduated from USF. I tend to cater my lessons towards game type situational drills with a lot of skating/edge work, puck control and shooting. I like to keep the intensity high and have very little standing around. Many of my clients train off ice with me as well in my private gym in Valrico.
VANESSA CORSON
I am a USFS double Gold Medalist, professional performer in both skating and dance, and have been coaching since 2010. I specialize in edge quality, ice dancing and presence,posture, and performance. I also enjoy teaching edge work, turns, and specialized skating to beginning hockey players. Memberships include USFS and ISI (Gold).
Contact: vgilbert2010@gmail.com
Penney Jackson
I have been coaching since 1998, but have over 27 years of professional show skating experience from performer to show director. I have coached skaters from preliminary to senior levels and have had a national showcase medalist. Memberships include ISI (Gold) and PSA.
Contact: Vic1cent@aol.com
MARK ROSENGARD
Mark Rosengard is from the Boston Massachusetts area, where he learned to skate on local ponds, and played hockey for multiple groups – culminating in playing for Tufts University from 1975 to 1979. He was commissioned into the US Army upon his graduation from Tufts, and subsequently served for over 30 years. During his time in the Army, Mark played for military hockey teams in Colorado, Washington DC, North Carolina, and Germany. Since retiring from the Army in 2010, he has settled in the Tampa area, and has coached a number of groups in the region. He is a decorated combat veteran, and brings leadership/mentorship skills to our rink, in addition to his multi-level experience as a hockey coach and goaltender.
Tommy Brannen
Contact: tommy.brannen@TGHIcePlex.com
Michael Cappiello
My coaching Philosophy incorporates attention to technical details without losing focus on the mental side of the game. On and off ice training is available with a focus on game time preparedness.
What we do off ice impacts how we perform on ice!
10 + years of competitive youth hockey experience
USA Hockey and ISI Certified instructor
Certified Trainer
Contact: mcappiello72@gmail.com
Ryan Cronin
Ryan is the Youth Hockey Director at TGH Ice Plex, as well as, a private hockey coach. He grew up in the small city of Canandaigua, NY, located southeast of Rochester, NY, and made the move down south to Tampa in July 2012!
Youth travel hockey career was spent throughout the Upstate/Western NY area. Member of the varsity team for 5 seasons at Canandaigua Academy where he graduated 6th all-time in career points. Attended/played 1 season at Monroe Community College (NJCAA) before transferring to SUNY Cortland (Cortland, NY). Played 2 seasons for Cortland’s A.C.H.A. Division 1 team and received Academic All-American honors senior year. Graduated in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management.
Has over 10 years of coaching experience at various skill levels and age groups. Currently, the Head Coach of the TGH Ice Plex Bullsharks 10U and 12U “Rec Select” teams. During the 2017-18 season, Ryan was Head Coach of the Tampa Bay Crunch U10A travel team and led the squad to the SFHL State Semi-finals in the first year of program existence.
Contact: Ryan.Cronin@TGHIcePlex.com
Kristin Folch
Memberships: USA Hockey
Social Media FB- Facebook.com/lifeontheice1, IG- coachKristin_Justin Keopke
Contact: justinkoepke2@gmail.com
Alexis Van Vliet
Terry Lynn Zellner
Membership: ISI (Gold Judge-Certified Syncro), PSA – BA-04, RG-05, Certified Sports Science 1&2 -05
Contact: larueterrylynn@aol.comAlyssa Krajacic
In addition to coaching freestyle figure skating, I love teaching moves in the field, ice dance, synchronized skating, as well as training future hockey stars. During my collegiate years, I had the privilege of competing from coast to coast for Miami University. I welcome students of all ages and levels.
Memberships: ISI (Gold) , USFS
Contact: theoneskij@gmail.comCourtney O'connor
Memberships: ISI (Gold), USFS, PSA
Contact: courtney.oconnor1@aol.comTara Ruhmel
I was a USFS competitor for 14 years through the Senior level. I am a double gold medalist in Freestyle and Moves in the Field. I coach all levels of figure skating ( USFS and ISI) and skating skills for hockey players.
Memberships: USFS, PSA, ISI (Gold)
Contact: tbulzone@aol.com
Carla Brunini
I have been skating for over 20 years here in the Tampa Bay area. I have competed both ISI and USFS. I had the privilege to compete for Miami University on their freestyle and synchronized skating teams. I love to teach figure skating but I also enjoy teaching edgework, synchronized and hockey skating. I also am a certified elementary school teacher which has taught me how to effectively communicate with children and help them reach their goals both on and off the ice. My main goal as a coach is to make sure your child is not only progressing but having fun!
Memberships: ISI
Contact: cbrunini96@gmail.com
Joe Santagata
Goaltending Coach, Joe Santagata is a native of Long Island, New York. He graduated from The University of Tampa in 2015, where he completed a degree in Entrepreneurship. Over the course of his playing and coaching career, Joe has had the opportunity to work with many goalie coaches all throughout North America. His passion for the position and his love of coaching led him to launching his own Goaltending School, GataGoalie, in 2019. His mission is to develop goalies of all ages and levels, into reaching their maximum potential by teaching, coaching, and providing guidance on every aspect for living the life, of a goalie. He most recently held the position as Head Goaltending Coach for Westchester Skating Academy, in Elmsford, NY. He relocated back to Tampa, with the goals of helping grow the sport of hockey, in Florida and making Tampa known as a hotbed for producing great goaltenders.
Contact: joe@gatagoalie.com
Danny Villagran
I’m originally from the Washington, DC area and I have a passion for both the game of hockey and coaching athletes to meet and exceed their goals to prepare for their next level of play. I’ve been coaching for approximately 5 years for the local rec league, high school and tournament teams. I enjoy teaching all levels of skaters from Hockey 101 to advanced level travel players. I focus on mental and physical development by instilling good technique and fitness habits, as well as understanding the importance of teamwork and unity. My mission is to assist young athletes in reaching their full athletic potential by focusing on developing and strengthening their mind, body and spirit for their sport and beyond. I am USA Hockey and SafeSport certified.
Contact: dvillagran08@gmail.
Lilian Erwin
Lillian Erwin
I’ve been skating for 13 years and have both experiences in ISI and USFSA. I’m a double gold medalist, regional medalist,
competitive figure skater, and performer with both memberships; ISI and USFSA. I coach private lessons and teach group lessons in our Learn to Skate program. I have ballet, power skating, off-ice training, and show experience.
Contact: lillian.erwin07@gmail.com
Leah Nicholes
Collective hockey skill based mechanics:
- Puck control
- Shooting
- Power Skating
- Stick Handling
- Edge Control
Certifications:
- USA Hockey Level 1 Coach – 522184
- 16/18/19 & Under Age Specific Training Development
- 14/12/10/8U & Under Age Specific Training Development
- Goaltender Development
Experience:
- Trained under: Lee Gilner, Myles Harvey & Kristen Folch
- Playing Experience: 6 Years
- Coaching Experience: 1 Year
My overall coaching goal is to expand & advance women/girls in hockey throughout the State of Florida.
Contact: leah.n.nicholes@gmail.co
Sean Hughes
Born and raised in Massachusetts, Sean has been skating since he was 3 years old, played through several youth leagues, and made the varsity team as a freshman for his high school hockey team. Following high school, Sean continued to play hockey in College Development Leagues until pursuing trade school where he became a Merchant Marine. Sean spent the next 8 years traveling the world until his career led him to Tampa, where he settled into family life and discovered the TGH Ice Plex and his coaching career began.
Sean started out at the Ice Plex as a volunteer assistant coach in February 2021. Sean has served as a head coach for 8u, 10u and 12u Rec League teams and as an Assistant coach for 14u. His results include several finals appearances with multiple Championship Titles. Sean has also been involved with coaching the 10u and 12u Bullsharks, the TGH Iceplex’s Rec Select teams.
Sean is passionate about helping kids develop their hockey skills and specializes in power skating and defensive techniques.
Email S.hughes91@outlook.com
Elle Vaske
I have been skating for 18 years with the first 3 being in hockey skates as I followed my fathers footsteps, he was my idol with the privilege of playing in the NHL. I eventually found my own love for the ice and stepped into the competitive world of figure skating at the age of 6.
I trained for 10 years and traveled the country to train under the best coaches and ended up in Florida 8 years ago to train under world class coach Cindy Watson Caprel.
I am a 6 time regional competitor, 5 time final round qualifier, Moves In the Field gold medalist, I have competed up to the Novice level and tested up to Junior level free skate. My love for this sport has transitioned into coaching and my goal is to inspire young children and build them not only into incredible, confident athletes, but even better people by structure, adaptability, endurance, perseverance and a positive environment to train in everyday.
My passion is watching my students step onto the ice for the first time to leading them to their first gold medal performance.
Email: Ellevaske@gmail.com