DIRECTOR OF HOCKEY OPERATIONS

Martin Erat is a former NHL professional ice hockey player originally from the Czech Republic. He is the Director of Hockey and Player Development for the Nashville Warriors as well as a Head Coach for the U11 program. Coach Erat is also a part of the coaching staff for the Czech National Team. Erat was drafted to the Nashville Predators 191st overall in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League: Nashville Predators (11 seasons), Washington Capitals (2 seasons) and the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes (2 seasons), for a total of 545 points in 881 games. Likewise, Erat has also represented the Czech Republic in different international games including four Olympic Games where he served as captain in 2018. Following his NHL career in 2015, he played professionally in the KHL (Avangard Omsk) and for HC Brno in the Czech league from 2016-2020. Martin Erat and his wife, Vera, reside in Brentwood, TN with their three children, Sebastien, Victoria and Max.

DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

Owner and Director of the Athlete Compound, Lubos Bartecko is returning to his third year with the Warriors. Bartecko is a former professional Hockey player having multiple years in the game. Bartecko played more than 21 years professionally, spending 2 years in the Quebec Junior Hockey League, 7 years in the NHL, and 13 years in Europe.

As a Slovakian native, Lubos joined the Slovakian National Team on many occasions, including three Olympics and multiple World Championships. Bartecko achieved Gold with his team in the 2002 World Championship Games and served as the Captain in the 2009 World Championship Games.

In his time in the NHL, Bartecko played for the St. Louis Blues (winning the Presidents Trophy in the 1999-2000 season) and the Atlanta Thrashers. During his European Career, Bartecko was named Captain and assistant Captain on many occasions, as well as earning the title “Athlete of the Year” three separate times. Lubos and his wife Natasha reside with their three children Dominic, Ava and Bella, in Brentwood, TN.

SKILLS COACH

Viktor Tikhonov joins us for his third season with the Nashville Warriors. Tikhonov is a Russian native and former professional NHL forward. Viktor was originally selected 28th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, by the Phoenix Coyotes. After several years in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Coyotes, Tikhonov moved to the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia, where he spent four years with SKA St. Petersburg. In 2015, he returned to the NHL, signing a contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, appearing in 11 games for them before he was claimed on waivers by the Coyotes. Born in Latvia while it was still a member of the USSR, Tikhonov has represented Russia internationally, participating in several World Championships and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Viktor resides in Brentwood, Tennessee with his wife Genia and two children Lev and Sofia.

ASSISTANT HOCKEY DIRECTOR

Allie LaCombe joins the Warriors for her fourth season as the U10AA Head Coach and Warriors Skills Coach. LaCombe is a co-founder of the program and is a former collegiate and professional hockey player from Eden Prairie, Minnesota. During her professional playing career, LaCombe most recently signed with the Connecticut Whale in the NWHL. Previously, she played semi-professional in the European league, EWHL, for the Vienna Sabers in Austria and with Almaty Aisulu in Kazakhstan. LaCombe played four years of collegiate NCAA Division I hockey at Syracuse University in Upstate New York and obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management from Syracuse. LaCombe has also trained NHL, AHL, USPHL, and NCAA players in on ice skill development. Allie resides in Nashville, Tennessee.

MITE PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Colby Collier a native of East Tennessee is joining us for his fourth year with The Nashville Warriors as the U9 AA Head Coach and Mite Program Director.

Collier also does digital content and media for The Nashville Warriors, Nashville Spartans and the Athlete’s Compound.

Additionally, he runs a non-profit tournament series called The Wish Cup which benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Middle TN and runs a travel roller program in the summer months. Colby resides in Nashville with his wife (Mandi) and their two children (Asher and Sutton Claire).

Mark Criscuolo joins the Nashville Warriors Hockey Club with over 30 years of coaching experience. As a Level 4 USA Hockey certified coach, Criscuolo has had the privilege of coaching players of all ages, from youth leagues to prep school. His own journey in hockey includes playing through college, which gives him a deep understanding of the game both on and off the ice. Beyond hockey, he is dedicated to his family, blessed to be married to Cindy, and proud to be the father of six children. Criscuolo looks forward to bringing his passion for the game and commitment to player development to the Nashville Warriors Hockey Club.

Coach Jacki is returning to the Warriors for her third season as our Powerskating Coach and brings a phenomenal skill set to our program. Jacki has served as a Powerskating Instructor for numerous teams National and International. She has worked for the NY Islanders training camp and AHL Soundtigers, NHL, OHL, College and Prep School and Jr players teams. As a National and World International Figure Skating competitor, the former founder & owner of S2S, Jacki Munzel has been teaching skating and power skating for over 35 years. Her focus on the technique of skating sets her apart from other skating instructors; she works with her students until they feel the right approach. She is also the Nashville Predators NHL Powerskating coach.

Kevin Beech is returning to his fourth season with the Warriors as the organization's goaltending coach. Kevin was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning (2005) after playing 4 seasons in the OHL which included setting the franchise career wins record for the Sudbury Wolves. Beech was also named the 2009 CHL Goalie Of The Year during a 14-year pro career that ranged from the AHL to Europe. Beech has also been coaching goaltenders for over 15 years. Most of that time spent with Pro Goaltending, an elite North American Goaltending School known for developing NHL goalies, including Elvis Merzlikins, Malcolm Subban, Scott Wedgewood, and Michael DiPietro.