COACHES AND STAFF
Director of Programs and Coaching
Neil’s work ethic and dedication to hockey earned him a 10-year NHL career and 460 professional games. A few of Neil’s player highlights are playing for Michigan State in the 1987 NCAA Division 1 championships, winning the WHL/CHL Memorial Cup with the Medicine Hat Tigers, and battling in game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals as a Minnesota North Star in 1991. He retired from playing in 2004 and began coaching with Sherwood Ice Arena’s Learn to Play Hockey Program in 2009. He continues to educate skaters of all ages, specializing in private instruction of competitive youth players alongside coaching Travel teams. His passion is teaching the game and developing multi-faceted players who gain both confidence and respect in themselves along with their teammates.
Ben Orencia
14U Head Coach
Contact
Ben Orencia has been promoting youth hockey players & programs in Portland for nearly 20 years. He moved to Oregon in 1998 from New York where he grew up playing street, roller and ice hockey at various levels before going to university. He began coaching roller hockey in 2001 and ice hockey in 2008. His strengths lie in his passion to help young players strive to reach their potential & through teaching practice skills and traits needed to be successful as a player, teammate, and person. He has coached all age groups, having experience in recreational and Travel teams.
Taylor Peters
Director of Player Development
12U Head Coach
Contact
Taylor began his career playing 6 seasons for the Portland Winterhawks. After going undrafted to the NHL, Taylor’s unwavering commitment to the game, on & off the ice, earned him a pro contract with the Dallas Stars. Taylor takes pride in having an intelligent and detailed approach to the game, whether playing or coaching. He has built a solid reputation as a skills coach and has coached at the Travel team level, attending the 2018 National Championships. Taylor is very excited to share his knowledge with Pacific Edge Hockey Academy and contribute to growing PEHA’s reputation by building hockey players in the Pacific Northwest.
Lelisa Rozendal
USA Hockey Registrar
Senior Administrator
Contact
Lelisa’s ten years of experience in Portland area youth sports administration are highlighted by her logistical support and thoughtful communication. As a licensed civil engineer, her professional background in project management has entailed work facilitating the construction of major road and bridge contracts for local jurisdictions in the Metro area. The merger of her vast professional skills along with her passion & enthusiasm for hockey are what make Lelisa one of our Academy’s greatest assets. The Rozendal’s are a dedicated hockey family. Her son learned to skate here at the Sherwood Ice Arena nearly 12 years ago. She is excited for the opportunity to support our coaches and families as Pacific Edge Hockey Academy evolves into one of the BEST youth hockey organizations in the Northwest!!
Oran Coffin
Goaltending Coach
Oran Coffin has coached goalies and hockey players in Portland for more than 10 years. All in all, beginning as a child in travel programs back in his home country of Canada, continuing on through High School hockey as a teenager, and then ending where all hockey does, Adult League, he has played the position for more than 40 years. He first began as a goalie coach in University working with Squirt (Atom in Canada and now U10) and PeeWee (U12) aged goalies. Over the years, he has worked with everyone from young beginners of 6 years old to more advanced goalies of 18 years old with various skill sets and abilities. His philosophy is that no two goalies are the same but they can learn the same fundamental skills, habits, and details to enhance their own games. He is a big believer in the USA Hockey Goaltender Basics and the Hockey Canada Goaltender Development model to manage overall development progression.
Joe Eirvin
Assistant Coach
Joe Eirvin has been a part of Portland hockey for the last 15 years. He has coached two teams to the USA Hockey National tournament with one championship in 2015 in the 1A division. Born and raised in St Louis Missouri he moved out to Portland in 2000 and played junior hockey in the Northwest and Midwest. He has been a private skills coach for beginner hockey players all the way through professional. He is dedicated to developing great athletes not only on the ice but off the ice. He holds a degree in exercise and sports science with a focus in physical therapy and works as a firefighter for the city of Portland.