PLYMOUTH, Mich. – Dan Hinote (Elk River, Minn.) has been named an associate coach for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program it was announced today by USA Hockey.
Hinote, who played 14 years of professional hockey in the NHL, AHL and SHL, will serve on the U.S. National Under-18 Team staff during the 2018-19 season.
Hinote played 503 games in the NHL and won a Stanley Cup championship with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001. He retired from professional hockey in 2010 and spent four seasons (2010-14) as an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Prior to joining the NTDP, Hinote was serving as a part-time scout for the Blue Jackets.
Hinote played two seasons of college hockey at the U.S. Military Academy and today remains the only player in program history to be drafted as he was selected by the Colorado Avalanche in 1996.
In addition to Hinote, USA Hockey also announced the hiring of three other staff members who will be based at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth.
Johnson Hired As Marketing Operations Manager
Bryan Johnson (Meredith, N.H.) has been named manager of marketing operations for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program and USA Hockey Arena.
Johnson, who has spent the past year as the game presentation and fan experience assistant for the University of Michigan athletic department, will oversee marketing operations related to sponsorship and fan experience, both on-site and in the community, for the NTDP and USA Hockey Arena.
With the University of Michigan, Johnson planned game promotions, theme nights and giveaways to drive revenue. Prior to his full-time position within the department, he spent three years as a game presentation and fan experience intern, where he managed a team of interns to distribute fan giveaways, select in-game contestants and serve as an on-site liaison to performers and entertainers.
Johnson earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and master’s degree in sport management at the University of Michigan.
Nightingale Tabbed As NTDP Intern Assistant Coach
Jared Nightingale (Jackson, Mich.) will serve as an intern assistant coach for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program in 2018-19.
Nightingale, who spent the 2017-18 season as an assistant coach with the Omaha Lancers after concluding a 13-year professional hockey career in the AHL and ECHL, will be part of the U.S. National Under-17 Team coaching staff.
A 2016 graduate of Michigan State University, Nightingale played 156 games over four seasons for the Spartans (2002-06).
Switaj Named Brendan Burke Intern
Gabriella Switaj (Kent, Ohio) has been named the ninth recipient of the Brendan Burke Internship and will be based at USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan.
Her responsibilities will include interfacing with the NTDP, national teams, international events and player development camps. She will also gain exposure to USA Hockey’s acclaimed American Development Model and Coaching Education Program.
Switaj graduated in May from Boston College with a degree in management, marketing and operations where she played four seasons (2014-18) as a goaltender for the BC women’s ice hockey team that advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and was the Hockey East champion in 2016 and 2017.
While in college, she also spent time with the Columbus Blue Jackets as a fan development intern, the United States Olympic Committee as an operations intern, and as a clinic instructor and evaluator for USA Hockey.
Established in April 2010, the Brendan Burke Internship is awarded annually to a recent college graduate who is pursuing a career in hockey operations. The internship was founded in memory of the late Brendan Burke, who served as a student assistant for the Miami University men’s ice hockey team and was tragically killed in a car accident on snowy roads at the age of 21 on Feb. 5, 2010.
NOTES: Previous Brendan Burke Interns include Matt Williams (Rochester Hills, Mich./Western Michigan University) Colin Mayberry (Cranford, N.J./Bryant University), Lyle Gregory (Branford, Conn./Hendrix College), Phil Cohn (Westfield, N.J./Union College), Tom Minton (Pipersville, Pa./St. Joseph’s (Pa.) College), Ryan Breen (North Falmouth, Mass./Providence College), Stephen Greenberg (West Tisbury, Mass./Boston College) and Cole Burkhalter (Knoxville, Tenn./Canisius College).
