A Division I captain and coach, Topher Scott created the Hockey Think Tank as a resource to educate and inspire players, parents and coaches as they navigate through their personal hockey journey. Topher combines his knowledge and experience with his passion for youth hockey to provide educational and inspirational services to the program. He works closely with our coaches to provide insight on hockey development and building team culture. With our teams, he conducts team building exercises that strengthen team camaraderie and individual hockey/life skills. He also provides parent education seminars for our parents on navigating the youth hockey pathway. Topher brings great perspective and new ideas to strengthen not only our player development model, but our ability to teach our kids the life skills to succeed on and off the ice.

A native of Buffalo Grove, IL, Scott captained both the USHL's Chicago Steel and Cornell University. After tallying 107 career points in college, Scott spent 2 seasons playing professionally. Following his playing career, Topher spent 7 seasons as a Division I coach at Miami, Cornell and Michigan and also served as a youth hockey director and coach.

A certified professional coach and motivational speaker, Chuck provides a unique set of coaching skills that support every individual and team that he works with. His primary focus is developing the necessary tools and life skills to help his clients create and achieve their dreams. He is dedicated to helping every person become the best version of themselves while empowering them to learn how to handle every day challenges and adversity. In working with our teams, Chuck opens himself to receive insights from others and creates a safe space for all individuals to share their thoughts and feelings. The process involves an array of topics such as living in the now, living with anxiety and depression, being accountable and taking responsibility for your life and honoring one's self by gearing down and disconnecting to recharge your batteries.

A native of Arkona, Ontario, Thuss was an all-American goaltender at Miami University and the recipient of the Terry Flanagan Award that honors a player for perseverance, dedication and and courage while overcoming severe adversity. He also played professionally for 7 seasons which included a Kelly Cup championship with the ECHL's Mississippi Sea Wolves in 1999.

Our family has been associated with the AAA program from the very outset. Ed and his coaching staffs have always upheld the values of the program that were established when the organization was originally formed. By holding firm to these values, the program and the players that have been a part of it, have achieved great success in the hockey world. Whether it has been in the junior ranks, the college world or in the professional arena, the numbers speak for themselves. More importantly, the program has been instrumental in developing its players into outstanding young adults that have gone on to wonderful careers. My wife Susan and I count our son Blake as someone who benefited greatly from his involvement with the program.

~ Bruce Edwards (board member & former program parent)

Playing for the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets allowed me to build incredible memories, form lifelong friendships and help shape me as a person. It helped me develop the skills of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. The coaches showed me that being a leader means prioritizing the team's success over my individual goals. Playing in the program forced me to make short-term sacrifices to realize long term success and helped me develop grit by pushing through difficult times.

~ Jeff Michael

Hockey taught so much about discipline, teamwork, commitment and leadership. The greatest thing I learned is that you get out what you put in. In my current role, I work with a diverse group of both professional and skilled trades people. Appreciating and respecting everyone's contribution by working together is key to reaching the desired end result. I continue to draw on organized, focused and committed skills to bring my best self to work each day. This is in the same manner I knew to bring my best self to the rink each time during both my Ohio AAA Blue Jacket and NCAA playing careers. 

~ Isabel Heminger

Playing in the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets program opened more doors in life than I ever would have dreamed were possible. It not only gave me an opportunity to play hockey against the best young players in the country, but more importantly taught me the values of hard work, commitment and helped me find purpose for life after hockey. Three men from the program stood next to me at my wedding. I can truly say my life and career would be much different without the OBJ program. 

~ Drew Kariofiles

The greatest thing this program taught me was the value of being a great teammate the importance of working towards something that is bigger than yourself. I have learned the values of time management, competitiveness and preparation. The daily habits that I built through this journey are carried with me today in the work place.

My time with the OBJ program has surrounded me with genuinely amazing people who all believe in the same thing. I continue to be so thankful to be a part of this family who pushes and supports me, and I’ll continue to do the same.

~ Clay Thomas

As one of the first girls to play for OBJ, it is truly incredible to look back and see how much girls hockey has grown in Columbus. The program taught me so many life lessons but the two that stick out the most to me is leadership and camaraderie. I learned how important it is to be a leader and someone that teammates can look to at any time. I believe the leadership that hockey has taught me plays a huge part in the person I am today in the professional world.

~ Elie Fallieras

One of the pioneers of girls hockey in Columbus, Elie Fallieras is currently in graduate school at Ohio University pursuing her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Her dream is to work with the pediatric population and make a positive impact on the lives of children.

Elie played college hockey at Nazareth University where she won a UCHC (DIII) championship in 2021-22. She was a 3-time member of the UCHC All-Academic Team, an All-American scholar in 2020-21 and the NEHC All-Academic team in 2019-20.