Coaches

The WBS Junior Knights have some of the top coaches in the country with college, junior or professional playing and coaching experience. In addition, the Knights offer seasonal guest instructors, as well as former Knights players returning from professional or college hockey to mentor a new generation of Knights. The Knights coaches are committed to providing each and every Knights player an opportunity to excel at the highest level of hockey, AND OUR TRACK RECORD IS UNMATCHED!

COACH ALEX VASKO

WBS Jr Knights 2008 AAA Coach And Director Of Hockey
Vasko is a native to Kiev, Ukraine and represents the former Soviet Union Hockey Training School. Coach Vasko started his professional playing career in Eastern Europe Hockey League in 1995. In 1999 Alex moved to the United States to continue his playing career in Gold Rush AWHL, Sioux City Musketeers USHL and Mohawk Valley UHL. Alex also participated in NHL Rookie Camps of Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning and in ECHL, UHL Training Camps.
In 2007, he moved to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area to begin his coaching career as a Head Coach with WBS Jr. Knights Youth Hockey Club. For five years in a row, Coach Vasko has been selected as AYHL All Star Game Coach. From the 2012 through 2014 hockey seasons, he led his team to a National Championship and in 2012 won the National Championship with his Bantam Major AAA Team.

COACH RAY GIROUX

WBS Jr Knights 2009 AAA Coach and Operations Manager
Giroux is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman that enjoyed 16 years in professional hockey including the National Hockey League (NHL) as well as with Metallurg Novokuznetsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
During the 1997–98 season, Giroux captained the best team in Yale University history as they won their first ECAC regular season title. In addition to being a 1st-team All American, Giroux was named ECAC Player of the Year as well as the league’s best offensive defenceman and was one of ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, given annually to the nation’s top collegiate player.

COACH LARRY COURVILLE

WBS Jr Knights 2009 AAA Assistant Coach
Over the course of his career, Coach Courville spent years playing in the National Hockey League (NHL) as well as coaching professional hockey. Born in Timmins, Ontario, Courville was originally drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the fifth round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft and was a key component of Canada’s gold medal-winning team at the 1995 World Junior Championships. Courville was the former head coach for the ECHL Reading Royals and serves as the assistant coach of the WBS Jr Knights 2009 team.

COACH CHRIS CORDARO

WBS Jr Knights Strength & Conditioning Coach
In addition to his role as the Strength & Conditioning coach for the WBS Knights teams, Coach Chris operates Balance Ultimate Fitness and has been a personal trainer and strength & conditioning coach for over 20 years. Chris oversees all aspects of designing and implementing the team’s performance training program, as well as monitoring the players’ performance, workload and recovery. He uses the most up-to-date, effective training procedures to outline the best and safest way to get results. Chris’s off-season training program has been recommended by coaches, advisors and agents.

COACH BRANDON VAN SCOY

Mites Director and 16U Tier II Head coach
Coach Van Scoy began his playing career in the youth hockey program (STHA) out of Binghamton, NY. Van Scoy continued his development with the Vestal Golden Bears Varsity Hockey Team, taking a lead position with the defense his freshman year. During this time, Van Scoy furthered his training working with several coaches/players involved with the UHL BC Iceman. Van Scoy would enter the travel program with the Syracuse Stars, led by Don Kirnan, to improve his skating and skill. Van Scoy would eventually earn “defenseman of the year” before relocating to Wilkes Barre, PA. Van Scoy continues playing Adult Hockey with teams out of Allentown, PA who travel throughout the United States and Canada to compete in tournaments or games. With over 25 years of travel experience, Van Scoy looks to develop the person, not just the player on the ice. Van Scoy is also in a leadership position at Mohegan Pennsylvania as a Security & Transportation Operations Supervisor.

COACH CHRIS LAGANIERE

WBS JR KNIGHTS 2012 COACH

Coach Chris Laganiere played in the CCHL for the Brockville Braves, Hawkesbury Hawks, and Pembroke Lumberkings. He is a two-time Fred Page Cup winner and MVP along with two- time Royal Bank Cup participant. He was also named 2011 Oswego State Outstanding Male Athlete, First Team All-SUNYAC, Oswego State 100 Point Club and two-time Frozen Four participant. Langaniere served as the Head Coach for the Binghamton Junior Senators NA3HL team from 2016-2018. He has coached multiple youth hockey teams and has served as the WBS Jr Knights Mite Director.

COACH KEVIN FARRY

WBS JR KNIGHTS 2012 COACH
Coach Kevin Farry played his youth hockey career with New Hartford Youth Hockey. He went on to play varsity hockey and subsequently, college hockey, for Broome Community College. Farry has eight years of youth hockey coaching experience. He has also served as a referee for 17 years, calling youth, high school, college and juniors’ games.

COACH ANDY SCOTT

WBS JR KNIGHTS 18U AAA Coach
Coach Andy Scott will serve as head coach for the 18U Tier I WBS Jr Knights for the 2023-2024 season. Coach Scott has a 25+ year career coaching professional, junior and youth teams, including the Reading Royals-ECHL, the Royal Military College of Canada, and the Connecticut Chiefs. Scott stresses player development and advancement with an emphasis on teaching the positional and decision-making aspects of the game.

COACH EMMA GUZDEK

WBS JR KNIGHTS COACH

Coach Guzdek is a Wilkes University Women’s Ice Hockey team member. During the summer months she will serve as a Team Leader and On-Ice Coach at the USA Hockey BioSteel Girls 15 Development Camp at the Miami University in Ohio. She has been named an intern with the New York State Amateur Hockey Association (NYSAHA) with Linda Groff as her Assistant Director and an On-Ice Coach for a program that gives players an affordable opportunity to develop their individual skills.

Guzdek is also a coach with 716 Sports Training, LLC in Amherst, New York, working with players of all ages and skill levels with a focus on improving individual and team skills such as edge work, power skating, stick skills, body contact, and shooting. Gudzek coaches at several camps throughout the summer including the NYSAHA Girls Player Development Camp hosted in Amherst, New York.

COACH ZACH JONES

New Head Coach

Pittston, PA – The WBS Knights are thrilled to announce the appointment of Zach Jones as the Head Coach for our 2011 team and 2014 team. With an impressive coaching history spanning over 16 years, Zach brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our organization.

Zach’s coaching journey has led young talent at various age levels, including U18, U16, U14, U12, U8, Tier One as well as guiding Goaltending Development. His commitment to player development is evident, as he played a crucial role in grooming many athletes for successful transitions into Junior, Prep, and College Hockey. Under Zach’s guidance, his teams achieved remarkable success, winning numerous tournaments, league championships, and consistently participating in Atlantic District playoff runs. He most recently spearheaded a 2011 group that achieved national recognition. Secured multiple AYHL Regular Season Championships, and Playoff Titles. From a player development perspective, he has helped players advance to the Prestigious Brick Tournament as well as players selected for the 64th edition of the Pee Wee Quebec Tournament. “I have coached with Zach for many years, and I am really excited to have him on the bench for next season. His passion for the sport and player development is second to none”, says Dominick Manocchio, 2011 Knights coach.

Zach Jones’ coaching prowess extends beyond the youth level, as he served as an Assistant Coach, Goaltending Coach, and Recruiting Director for the Temple Owls ACHA Division 1 Team from 2017 through 2019. During his tenure, the Owls achieved significant milestones, with his starting goaltender earning recognition as 2nd Team All ECHA in 2017 and 1st Team All ECHA in 2018. Temple also led the ECHA in team save percentage, boasting an impressive .908%. Notably, Coach Jones was instrumental in guiding the Owls to their first-ever victory against the formidable US Naval Academy, further showcasing his coaching acumen.

The WBS Knights are excited to welcome Zach Jones to our coaching staff and look forward to his leadership and dedication in helping our 2011 and 2014 teams reach new heights. With his extensive coaching experience and passion for developing young talent, we are confident that Zach will play a pivotal role in the success of our players both on and off the ice.

For more information about the WBS Knights and Coach Zach Jones, please visit our website at www.wbsjrknights.com

Coach Nick Vitanovec

Coach Nick Vitanovec has been named the head coach for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights 15U team that will compete in the Atlantic Hockey Federation for the 2024-2025 season. Coach Vitanovec’s career has spanned from playing juniors hockey with the Wilkes-Barre Minors to serving as the Assistant Coach at Bloomsburg University, and Assistant Volunteer Coach for the King’s Monarchs.

Coach Patrick Mongiello

With extensive coaching experience across various levels, including the (2008) U15 Assistant Coach at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Jr Knights and Head Coach at New York Aviators junior program, Coach Mongiello has a proven track record both on the ice and off the ice. Patrick’s involvement spans from a learn to play director, in house coordinator, Midget, Squirts, Mites coaching to his coaching and recruiting for elite junior levels like NCDC & USPHL. Additionally, Coach Mongiello has served as an Assistant Coach for New Jersey Rockets in multiple age categories, demonstrating a well-rounded coaching background. Beyond coaching, his commitment extends to scouting for NCDC and NAHL teams, as well as contributing to player development programs like XHP Selects.

WBS Jr Knights