Hockey Program | Notre Dame Academy

Our Hockey Program

Year 1: Boys U15 (2010 birth year) and U16 (2009 Birth Year) and Girls U16 (2009, 2010, 2011)

Extended Season (August - June)
- 50-60 game schedule, providing ample opportunity for skill-building and game experience.

Competitive Schedule
- Compete at Tier 1 AAA level.

Showcase Opportunities
- Participate in 6-8 major showcases each season.
- Exposure to NHL, NCAA Division 1, and USHL scouts, with many scouts attending to identify emerging talent.

Comprehensive Support
- Transportation: All travel to practices, games, and events included.
- Hotel Accommodations: Lodging covered for team events.

Premium Equipment Package
- Complete set of jerseys, socks, practice apparel.
- High-quality gear: gloves, helmets, pants.
- Access to discounted skates and sticks for academy players.

Individual Development Plans (IDPs)
- Customizable, goal-focused development plans designed to help each athlete reach the next level of competition.

Unlimited Ice Time
- Regular team practices, skills training sessions, and skating development to ensure continuous improvement.

In-Depth Film & Video Analysis
- Performance breakdowns and analysis to refine skills and enhance on-ice decision-making.

Full-Time Coaching Staff
- On-ice and off-ice mentorship provided by dedicated, professional coaches to support athlete growth.

Meet the Staff

For other inquiries, including girls teams, email info@ndhockeyacademy.com

Robert Esche - Leadership Team

Rob serves as the President of the Utica Comets, AHL Affiliate of the New Jersey Devils. In addition, Rob is also the President of Garden Entertainment LLC and Mohawk Valley Garden, companies that oversee the operations for a number of different entities, including the Adirondack Bank Center and Utica University Nexus Center. In addition, Rob is the owner of several different restaurants in the Utica area, as he has been pivotal in the recent development of the city.

Rob played his youth hockey in the Utica area before playing in the Ontario Hockey League. He followed up his amateur career by playing 8 years in the NHL for the Phoenix Coyotes and Philadelphia Flyers. He also has a vast playing experience for Team USA, representing the United States at the World Junior tournament, World Championships, and at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games.

Gary Heenan - Leadership Team

Gary was hired as head coach of the Utica University men's ice hockey program in August 2000. As the program’s founder, Heenan has been named Coach of the Year multiple times. Under his direction, Utica has won numerous regular and post season championships. The Pioneers consistently produce All Americans and each year graduate players to the Professional level.

Gary played 4 years of college hockey at Hamilton College in Clinton, NY, followed by a year professionally in Austria. With over 25 years of coaching at the collegiate level, Gary has a wide range of contacts and connections across the NCAA and Junior levels of hockey.

Keith Veronesi - Leadership Team

Keith is the Chief Revenue Officer of Garden Entertainment LLC, the Adirondack Bank Center, and Utica University Nexus Center with a focus on bringing large scale, foot traffic events to the Utica area. Prior to coming back to Utica in August 2024, Keith spent 8 years in Las Vegas working for the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL. Hired by Vegas in 2016, shortly after the NHL announced expansion to the city of Las Vegas, Keith spent his time in Vegas working in the Hockey Operations department as the Director of Scouting operations, working directly with the Pro and Amateur scouting staffs and won a Stanley Cup in 2023. Prior to joining Vegas, Keith was the Vice President of the Utica Comets.

Keith played 4 years of Prep School hockey at Berkshire School in Sheffield, MA before playing 4 years at Connecticut College at the NCAA Division 3 level.

Justin Allen - 15U Boys Coach

A native of Rochester NY, Justin played 5 seasons for Utica University. During his 5 year career, Justin received many accolades including; 2 time NCAA DIII All-American, UCHC Defensive Player of the Year, 3-time first team all-conference, and 1st team all-rookie team during his freshman year. He also holds numerous program records including; career games played, points by a defenseman, career assists, single season assists, and single season points by a defenseman. In his 5 years he helped lead the school to 3 conference championships as well as 3 NCAA tournament appearances. After his college career Allen went on to play two seasons in the ECHL for the Norfolk Admirals, and Allen Americans.

Allen will oversee and coach the 15U boys team. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Allen will lead the recruiting and scouting for the team. Allen will also serve as a dorm parent for the academy.

Brian Grady - 16U Boys Coach

Grady is a native of Clinton, where he played youth and high school hockey before continuing his career at The Taft School in Watertown, CT. He went on to play four years of college hockey at Hamilton College, where he won an ECAC Championship in 1998 and served as Assistant Captain during his senior year.

Grady brings extensive coaching experience at the collegiate level, having served as an assistant coach at The University of Maine, Hamilton College, and Utica University, as well as head coach at Morrisville State College. His prep school coaching background includes roles as an assistant coach at Salisbury School and head coach at St. Mark's School. Additionally, he has contributed to USA Hockey as an evaluator for the Select Festivals in New York State.

With over 20 years of experience in coaching, recruiting, and player evaluation at the prep and collegiate levels, Grady has cultivated a vast network of contacts across junior and NCAA hockey. He is also the co-owner and advisor for Owl Consulting Group, a player advisory firm dedicated to helping athletes reach the next level.

In his current role, Grady will oversee and coach the 16U boys' team. Beyond coaching, he will lead the program's recruiting, scouting, player development, and junior/college placement efforts.