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.
Ryan Johnston
Canadian Edge Creator Ryan Johnston is from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
He has over 19 years’ experience in all facets of the game (playing, coaching, and instruction) at every level including goaltending. He is also a master equipment fitter, and custom skate sharpening and profiling specialist.
Ryan has spent the past decade working for several NHL teams. He spent over 5 years with the Florida Panthers training with many NHL players and instructing their hockey schools/programs. He’s also spent time instructing with CCM Canada and Master stick handler Sean Skinner (head stick handling coach for Sweden’s National Program) at his world famous “Guts & Glory” stick handling camps.
Prior to his move to Florida, Ryan was the Hockey Director of one of Ottawa’s premier triplex arenas. During his tenure, he worked closely with fellow Ottawa Senators Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza, Mike Fisher and Chris Neil.
Ryan has played in the CJHL (Canadian Junior Hockey League), and has been invited to several pro training camps. He has coached from Mite to U16 recreational and travel programs and is a USA Hockey certified Level 4 coach. He specializes in Power Skating and Stick Handling, and is also a Goalie Instructor. Ryan is extremely friendly and knowledgeable.
Email : Canadianedge@hotmail.com
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
BRENT BARBER
I’m originally from Tampa, Florida and started my hockey career at the age of 6 at the United Skates of America playing roller hockey. Shortly after I was brought to the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon for a Summer camp field trip and fell in love with Ice Hockey. Then on, I was recruited to play for the Jr. Bulls (Squirt AA) team. I then went on to continue with the Jr. Bulls organization until my Midget years, while also being a part of the Plant High School Hockey Club. Moving forward, my hockey career began to speed up during my senior year of high school. I was gifted to accept a contract to play for the Tampa Bay Juniors Hockey Club. Developing tremendously I was able to make the America’s High School Hockey showcase team (Team Florida) where I was then recruited to play for the Islanders Hockey Club in the United States Premier Hockey League (Junior A
Tier 2) out in Tyngsboro, MA. With my goal set to play NCAA hockey the years of hard fought Juniors had finally paid off I had a few different offers from numerous colleges. Franklin Pierce University, Southern New Hampshire, Becker College, Assumption University, and I finally landed at Framingham State University. I would love to share my hockey knowledge with in-depth skating, shooting, and stick handling techniques with
the newest generation of hockey players today.
Contact: Brent.barber15@hotmail.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.
Angela Pandolfo
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.comTommy Kowalski
I have been on skates for 26 years playing high level travel (AAA) for a number of those years. I have been able to develop my coaching skills over the past 10 years working with all ages from 5 years old to 70+ adult players. I tend to cater my lessons towards game type situations such as skating, passing, puck control and shooting that a player may see again in any given game. I also like to incorporate a high intensity to use the old motto “practice like you play” to keep the reps high and not a lot of standing around or wasted time. I currently coach one of the Newsome High School teams as well. I also have a personal training company working almost exclusively with kids 9 and up to develop their speed, strength and agility off the ice as well. My website is traintopshelf.com for more info on my background and what my training offers.
Contact: tkowalski91@gmail.com
Alyssa 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.comChristy Parker
Membership: ISI
Contact: christyparker303@yahoo.com
Tara Ruhmel
Memberships: USFS, PSA, ISI (Gold)
Contact: tbulzone@aol.comSarah Shuler
I’ve taught all levels including a Jr. International competitor.
I specialize in both group and private lessons for both Hockey and figure skating.
It’s been a lifelong blessing to help each and every student fulfill their personal goals.
Memberships: ISI (Gold), PSA (Rated), USFS
Contact: obg06@hotmail.comCindy Sokolis
With 22 years of coaching experience she is rated in the following: USA Hockey Level 4, ISI Hockey Level 5, ISI Gold Test Judge, PSA Hockey 1&2, SG, & RFS
Contact: iceprincess1985@hotmail.comCarla 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.
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