23-24 NJC 12U MINOR AA
23-24 NJC 12U MINOR AA
Manager: Heather Benz
League: MAWHA (12AA), NJYHL (12 A American)
Tournaments/Showcases:
Rhode Island Sting Columbus Day Invitational – RI (October 6-9, 2023)
PIP Roc City Girls Fest – Rochester, NY (October 27-29, 2023)
Steel City Girls Invitational – Warrendale, PA (February 16-19, 2024)
MEET THE COACH
Experienced staff with a wealth of knowledge and a passion for athlete growth and development.
MELISSA STYS
HEAD COACH
CEP Level 2
Coaching experience:
- New Jersey Colonials
Playing experience:
- Manhattanville College
- Kent School
- Pequannock HS
- New Jersey Colonials
Melissa Stys is a fourth grade teacher in Totowa, NJ and enters her fifth season coaching with the Colonials. She has a knack for recognizing the best development path for individuals within the team environment.
Coach Stys played for NJC through her entire travel hockey career. A tri-varsity captain for ice hockey, field hockey and lacrosse, she received the Class of '31 bowl as the best female athlete in her class at Kent School. Coach Stys continued her athletic career playing ice hockey and field hockey at Manhattanville College.
JEFF DUGAN
ASSISTANT COACH
CEP Level 4
Coaching experience:
- New Jersey Colonials
- William Tennent High School (PA)
- Warwick Wildcats (PA)
Playing experience:
- West Chester University (ACHA D1)
- Philadelphia Jr Flyers (Jr A)
- William Tennent High School
Jeff Dugan has been coaching since 2013 at high school and various youth levels. He enters his fifth season with the Colonials Girls program. He promotes skill development, hard work and having fun while doing it.
Coach Dugan played defense for most of his playing career. He was acknowledged by West Chester University as best defenseman his sophomore year and most valuable player his senior year.
SCOTT GIFIS
ASSISTANT COACH
CEP Level 2
Coaching Experience:
- New Jersey Colonials
- Mercer Chiefs AAA/AA
- Notre Dame HS (AC)
Playing Experience:
- Skidmore College (ECAC D3)
- Walpole, Boston Harbor (EJHL)
- Hun School of Princeton
Scott Gifis returns to the Colonials staff, moving up from the 10U level. He has plenty of experience at the youth level. He coached AAA and AA from 10U through 18U with the Mercer Chiefs for 7 years.
COREY BROWN
ASSISTANT COACH
CEP Level 4
Coaching Experience:
- New Jersey Colonials Girls & Boys
- Pope John XXIII Regional HS (AC)
Playing Experience:
- Trenton Titans (ECHL)
- West Chester University (ACHA)
- Morris County Colonials
Corey Brown, a native of NJ, grew up playing for the Morris County Colonials from Mites through the Midget Level. He was named 1st team All State for his junior and senior season in NJSIAA . He represented Team New Jersey at the Chicago Showcase in 1997.
Brown then played for the West Chester University Golden Rams where he was named ACHA All American for his sophomore, junior and senior season. After his collegiate career, he spent 3 years playing for the Trenton Titans of the ECHL from 2001-2004.
Coach Brown was an assistant coach for Pope John XXIII Regional High School from 2001-2007 and has coached several Colonials boys and girls teams.