Ed Gingher enters his 21st season with the AAA Blue Jackets after founding the program in 2004. Under his leadership, the program has become one of the most respected in the country. As president, Gingher oversees all aspects of the program and focuses on the management of all national bound teams.

As a head coach for 18 seasons, he coached more than 1,100 games and helped hundreds of players advance to next levels of hockey, including 6 NHL players and more than 30 professionals. He has led teams to the national tournament on three occasions and guided the 2014-15 18U team to a Tier I Elite League championship.

Prior to starting the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets, he spent six years with the the ECHL's Dayton Bombers. In 2000, he became one of the youngest general managers in professional hockey history. Gingher also served the Bombers as a scout, assistant coach and assistant general manager.

Gingher sits on the Tier 1 Elite League and USA Hockey Mid-Am District executive boards. He is active with USA Hockey coaching at a variety of national development camps. Gingher has also been a guest coach at numerous NHL development camps and training camps.

After his playing career, he enrolled at the University of Dayton and earned bachelor’s degrees in management and marketing in 1999. He, his wife (Betsy), their son (Ryan), and daughter (Allie) reside in Dublin.

Nick Petraglia is currently in his fifth season with the AAA Blue Jackets after being hired as the Executive Vice President in the summer of 2020. Petraglia assists with the oversight of all operations of the program. On the ice, he works closely with our entire coaching staff and spends time coaching all teams including working with the program's goaltenders.

Prior to his arrival in Columbus, Petraglia spent 20 years at Miami University as a student-athlete, coach and administrator. He was part of teams that won 5 conference championships, participated in 10 NCAA Tournaments and advanced to 2 Frozen Fours. Petraglia has recruited/coached more than 20 players with NHL experience, 12 all-Americans, 32 all-conference selections, 3 conference players of the year and one Hobey Baker Award winner and Olympic captain. At Miami, Petraglia recruited and/or coached several prominent OBJ alumni including Trent Vogelhuber, Sean Kuraly, Connor Murphy, Jack Roslovic, Kiefer Sherwood and Carson Meyer.

A certified USA Hockey Level IV coach, Petraglia was a charter member and mentor for USA Hockey’s Warren Strelow Program, which is responsible for identifying and developing the nation’s elite level goaltenders. He has worked numerous USA Hockey national development camps and assisted with the evaluation and selection of national teams for the National Team Development Program, Hlinka Gretzky Cup and 5 Nations tournaments.

As a player, the Faribault, MN native helped lead Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep to prominence and was in goal for the program’s first ever USA Hockey 18U National Championship in 1999. At Miami, he posted a .902 career save percentage and a 2.21 goals-against average from 2000-04 and helped the RedHawks qualify for the NCAA Tournament as a senior.

Petraglia received his bachelor's degree in sport organization from Miami in 2004 and his master's degree in sport behavior and performance in 2007. He currently resides in Galena with his wife (Becky) and children (Rocco and Athena).

Dale Jordan is currently in 19th season with the program and has over 20 years of coaching experience at all youth levels. As hockey director, Jordan assists with the oversight of the administrative aspect of the program and is responsible for managing teams in the 10U-13U age groups. He will also be serving as the head coach of our 2014 age group in the 2024-25 season.

Dale has over 20 years of coaching experience at all different levels and has been a head coach in our program since 2007. Prior to joining the AAA Blue Jackets, he served as the varsity coach at St. Charles High School for 5 seasons from 2002-2006. During that time he also was a head coach for multiple bantam and pee wee AA travel teams at CCYHA. Jordan also spends time as a private hockey instructor and helps manage the program's camps, clinics and on-ice skills training sessions.

A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Jordan played his junior hockey for the Columbus Crush and has playing experience at both the Junior A and Junior B levels.

He resides in Dublin and has four children (Mark, Ellie, Zoahelen and Sloan).

Kerry Bowman enters his third season as our program's girls hockey director after being hired in 2022 and has played an integral role in the program's recent expansion to three teams. In 2024-25, he will serve as the head coach of the 16U girls team. An accomplished player, teacher and coach with a well-rounded resume, Bowman came to Columbus after coaching the Washington Pride in the Junior Women's Hockey League (JWHL) at the 19U and 16U levels from 2018-20. A certified USA Hockey Level IV coach, Kerry has also worked as a coach at USA Hockey Girls National Development Camp.

As a player, Bowman played Division I hockey at Mercyhurst College where he helped lead the Lakers to the Atlantic Hockey championship and NCAA Tournament in 2005. A two-time Atlantic Hockey Scholar Athlete, Kerry was the recipient of the Bill Smith Memorial Senior Award and served as team captain in 2008. Upon graduating with a bachelors degree in sports medicine, he went on to play two seasons professionally with the IHL's Port Huron Icehawks.

He resides in Powell with his wife (Jessica) and two sons (Knox and Bennett).

Nate Handrahan takes the reigns of the 18U team and brings over 25 years of experience at the elite levels of hockey, including spending time as a skills coach this past season for multiple teams in the program. His coaching resume includes 14 seasons at the Division I level of college hockey including five years as assistant coach at the Division I level with Niagara University (2001-2004) and Robert Morris University (2004-2006), as well as nine seasons as a head coach for the women's programs at Robert Morris (2006-2011) and Ohio State (2011-2015). From 2018-2020, Handrahan coached the Newark Generals to a high school state championship and a 3rd place finish at nationals. Most recently, Handrahan served as the head coach and general manager of the Columbus Mavericks (USPHL) from 2020-2023. He is also the owner and head coach of Hammer Hockey Development, which works to teach and develop the skill and sense for the the committed player to reach their potential.

As player, Handrahan was a standout defenseman and assistant captain for Niagara University (DI) where he was a two-time all-league player and helped lead the Purple Eagles to a pair of playoff championships in his 4-year career. Upon graduation, Handrahan played professionally for the Roanoke Express (ECHL).

Handrahan resides in Hilliard with his wife (Kim) and three daughters (Haylee, Mara and Lila)

Fedor Tyutin enters his sixth season as a coach in the program. In 2024-25, he will return as a head coach int he program after serving as an assistant coach with the 18U team in 2023-24. He had previously held the post as the head coach for 2007 birth year for three seasons at the 13U, 14U and 15O levels.

Prior to getting into coaching, Tyutin played 872 NHL games with the New York Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets and Colorado Avalanche over 14 seasons. He also served as a professional scout with the Blue Jackets in 2018-19.

A native of Izhevsk, Russia, Tyutin's accomplished resume includes an impressive amount of success in international play. A veteran of three Olympic Games, Tyutin helped lead Russia to a gold medal at the 2008 World Championship. He also won gold at the U20 World Junior Championship and U18 World Championship. Prior to turning pro, Fedor played one season with the Guelph Storm (OHL) where he played in the Memorial Cup and was named to the CHL's all-rookie team. He was a 2nd round pick of the New York Rangers in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Tyutin currently resides in Plain City with his wife (Sarah) and three daughters (Leeza, Nina and Danika).

Josh Harrold joins the program as its 15O head coach after spending the past five seasons as a head coach of the Cleveland Barons at the 15O and 16U levels. A native of Kirtland Hills, OH, Harrold brings a wealth of experience, including two years as an assistant coach here in Columbus with the USHL's Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets from 2006-08. He was also an assistant coach at the professional level with the Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL) and junior level with the NAHL's Cleveland Barons and Alpena IceDiggers. Harrold has a significant amount of connections to help connect and guide players into the next levels of hockey.

Following a 4-year career at Miami University (DI), Harrold was signed to his first professional contract by current OBJ president Ed Gingher, who was the general manger of the Dayton Bombers (ECHL) at the time. Harrold would go on to play six seasons professionally, including more than 300 games in the AHL, IHL and ECHL. In 1994-95, he was named the NAHL defenseman of the year and a member of the league's first all-star team.

Kyle Althen enters his fourth season as a head coach in the program. Althen was the head coach of the 2008 birth year for the past two seasons at the 14U and 15O levels. Prior to being a head coach, Althen served time as an assistant coach at the 15O level. Previously, he worked as the hockey director at the Battery Hockey Academy for 5 years and now owns Althen Hockey Development, which focuses on elite level training and development throughout the Midwest. Prior to moving to Columbus, Althen spent two seasons as the associate head coach and director of scouting for the Oswego Stampede (NA3HL). He also was as a scout for the Amarillo Bulls in the NAHL.

A native of Cleveland, OH, Kyle played college hockey at the University of Akron (ACHA) where he served as team president for all four seasons. Althen's junior career was spent with the Wooster Oilers and Central Wisconsin Saints of the GLJHL. In his final season, he captained the Oilers and tallied 63 points in 41 games. He played his high school hockey at Padua Franciscan in Parma.

Althen earned his bachelor's degree in sports management from Akron in 2016 while also minoring in business management. Kyle currently resides in Worthington.

Michael Darr enters his second season as a head coach in the program after leading our 12U Girls team in its inaugural season in 2023-24. Darr has 18 years of coaching experience and has played an integral role in the growth of girls hockey since 2017. Previously, he has spent six seasons helping lead Central Ohio Girls Hockey where he helped develop the organization from beginner developmental programs to elite training camps during the spring and summer months. Furthermore, he helped the EYHA Lady Dragons program expand from one team to six teams at the 8U, 10U select, 12U select, 12U elite and 14U tier 2 levels. While with the Lady Dragons, he was a head coach or assistant coach and helped lead the team's progression of player development.

Dan Cousineau enters his 12th year coaching in the program and second season as head coach of the 2011 birth year. He has also spent six years as the head coach at the 14U level and two years with the Columbus Capitals at 18U. Dan has also served on the Columbus Amateur Hockey Association board and as the organizations travel hockey director for the last 4 years. Additionally, he has served as an assistant coach for the Easton Lady Dragons during his 20 years of hockey coaching. 

A native of Waterloo, ON, Canada, Dan played 4 years of varsity hockey at Ohio State and graduated with a degree in Marketing. He was named team captain his senior season. Following his college career, Cousineau played five years of professional hockey with the Columbus Chill, Indianapolis Ice, and San Diego Gulls. In 2002-03, he was part of the Gulls Tayler Cup championship team.

Dan currently resides in Lewis Center with his wife (Lex) and hockey playing kids - son (Duncan) and daughter (Bennett).

Todd Ehrie returns for his 16th season coaching in the program and second consecutive year with the 2012 age group after a very successful 2023-24 campaign. With more than 30 years of coaching experience, he has been an integral part of the growth of our program and the entire Columbus hockey market. Next season will mark the 6th season as a head coach at the 12U level. In 2014, he led the 2001 birth year to a championship at the prestigious Quebec International PeeWee Tournament.

Ehrie has coached nearly every player that has come through the program at some point, highlighted by the 1997 team that included future NHLers Jack Roslovic, Kole Sherwood and Carson Meyer for several years. He has also spent time as an assistant coach at the 15O, 16U and 18U levels and was the head coach of the 2006 team at the 15O level.

Todd currently resides in Lewis Center with his wife (Terri) and their two sons (Trevin and Cohen).

Gino Ori enters his first season as head coach in the program after serving as an assistant coach for the 12U Girls during its inaugural season in 2023-24. Ori has been instrumental in the growth of girls hockey in Central Ohio in recent years. From 2018-2022, he served as a head coach at EYHA and coached for the Central Ohio Girls Hockey program. In 2022-23, he led the EYHA Lady Dragons to a championship at the Silver Stick Tournament in St. Clair Shores, MI and a runner up finish in the International Silver Stick in Toronto.

A native of Niles, IL, Ori grew up playing AA hockey in the Chicago area. Following his youth career, he attended Miami University in Oxford, OH where he played four seasons for their club team, helping lead the team to the ACHA National Championship during his sophomore year. 

Ori resides in New Albany with his wife (Tiffany) and their two daughters (Bella and Lila).

James Nash enters in his ninth season coaching in the program and sixth as a head coach. For the past three seasons, Nash has served as head coach at the 13U level. In all, he has more than 15 years of coaching experience and has spent considerable time as a professional skills coach working with elite players of all ages.

A native of Brampton, Ontario, Nash grew up playing AAA hockey in Toronto for the Mississauga Rebels of the GTHL (formerly MTHL). He also won an all-Ontario championship with the Brampton Maroons. Nash went on to play his junior hockey for the Mississauga Chargers (OPJHL) and college hockey for Humber College.

After earning an associates degree in marketing from Humber, Nash moved to Columbus and went on to earn a bachelors degree from Ohio State. He currently resides in Powell with his wife (Kristy) and sons (James and Arie).

Pat Cannone enters his fourth season with the program. After spending the past two seasons as head coach at the 16U level, he will now assist as a skills coach while also assisting the 16U team.

Cannone also works with Lakonic Sports Agency based in Kelowna, British Columbia. He was represented by Lakonic at the end of his playing career and will serve as a player representative, dedicated to guiding athletes throughout their hockey careers.

Pat's distinguished playing career included 10 professional seasons highlighted by making his NHL debut with the Minnesota Wild in 2016-17. He was team captain for the AHL's Chicago Wolves and spent two seasons playing in Germany.

A native of Bayport, New York, Cannone played his college hockey at Miami University where he tallied 133 career points, served as captain and helped lead the team to 2 Frozen Fours, 2 league championships and 4 NCAA Tournaments during his 4-year career.

Pat currently resides in Dublin with his wife (Natalie) and two daughters (Collins and Perry).

Lee Harris is currently in his 9th season as a professional skating coach with the AAA Blue Jackets program. During that time, he has also served as the skating coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Cleveland Monsters. In his role with the Blue Jackets, he oversees the organizations skating skill development, handles on-ice conditioning and rehabilitation and provides CBJ scouts with video analysis and skating assessments for draft prospects. Lee is also the owner of Lee Harris Skating System which focuses on a deep understanding of edges, power and the technical side of skating. In all, Harris has 21 years of coaching experience.

Born in Harrow, Ontario, Harris played four years of junior hockey with the Belle River Canadians and Kingsville Comets and was the OMHA scoring champion. At 18 years old, he began skating internationally in figure skating. In 2002, he won the national championship and competed at the Junior World Championships in Norway.

Lee lives in Delaware with his wife (Chelsea) and three children (Sadie, Lana and Blake).

Bailey Seagraves is in his 8th season as the program's goaltending coach. In addition to being the founder and owner of Seagraves Goaltending, he serves as the director of goaltending development for the Battery Hockey Academy and is the volunteer goaltending coach for the Ohio State women's DI team. In 2021-22, Seagraves helped the Buckeyes claim the WCHA playoff title and the program's first ever national championship.

A native of Hilliard, OH, Seagraves is one of the most accomplished goaltenders in AAA Blue Jackets history and was a member of the 2014-15 T1EHL playoff championship team. During his time with the AAA Jackets, he earned multiple invites to national development camps and attended the final tryout camp for the National Team Development Program. In 2013, he was selected 55th overall by the Chicago Steel in the USHL Futures Draft.

He would go on to play his junior hockey career in the USHL, NAHL & USPHL before moving onto become the emergency back-up goaltender with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He currently resides in Marysville.

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 Thuss 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.

Donskov Strength & Conditioning (DSC) serves as the organizations official Off-Ice Performance Specialists. Since 2005, the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets have partnered with DSC to provide all facets of off-ice performance training. The performance coaches at DSC support the mission & vision of the organization by establishing/implementing protocol, performance measurables, nutritional guidance and data analytics reporting. 

Anthony Donskov is the founder of Donskov Strength and Conditioning Inc. (www.donskovsc.com) located in Columbus, OH where he serves as the Director of Sports Performance. He currently oversees all facets of physical preparation including assessment, program design, exercise protocol, monitoring, and continuing education. Donskov earned a PhD at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario Canada. His research interests include biomechanics, ice hockey performance, and return to play after musculoskeletal injury. In addition, Anthony attained master’s degree in Exercise Science from Cal U of PA and his BSc at Miami (OH) University. Anthony served as an assistant strength coach for the USA Women’s National Ice Hockey team (2010-2014) and has participated as a guest coach for several National Hockey League development camps.

Donskov is a Head Instructor/Director of off-ice Training at Donskov Hockey Development. DHD (donskovhockey.com) is a family run hockey school with a renowned reputation for developing young players. Anthony played two years of minor professional hockey (2001-2003) for the Lubbock Cotton Kings of the Central Hockey League. He was named the 2003 Central Hockey League’s “Man of the Year” for his leadership both on the ice and in the community. Donskov played his collegiate hockey at Miami (OH) University (1997-2001), where he served as an assistant captain his senior year. Anthony is certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCS) and the National Academy of Sports Medicine (PES). He resides in Columbus with his wife Aurora. 

Matthew Donskov serves as Director of Operations at DSC, Inc. His responsibilities include defining, implementing, and managing operational policies and guidelines for the organization. He is also a liaison for client support services.  Prior to joining DSC, he spent 6 years with Cardinal Health as a Medical Device Sales Consultant in Jacksonville, Fl.  Additionally, Donskov is involved as Head Instructor/Director Operations at Donskov Hockey Development, providing hockey specific instructional services since its inception in ‘00.  Matthew holds a USA Hockey Level IV Advanced Coaching Certification.

Donskov graduated Summa Cum Laude earning BSc. in Business Economics from SUNY Cortland.  While attending Cortland, Donskov played four years of college hockey where he was a two-time captain, earned Verizon Academic All-American honors and was the national leader in power play goals (2002). He currently sits sixth all-time on the school scoring list. Prior to playing at Cortland, Matthew played three years of junior hockey in Canada where he was a 1998 draft choice of the North Bay Centennials of the Ontario Hockey League.

Matthew currently resides in New Albany, Ohio with his wife Megan and three children (Alexander, Amelia & Anastajia).