NCDC - Junior
NCDC coaching staff
Mike DiOrio, a Boston, Massachusetts native, brings a dynamic background in coaching, operations, and player development to the Boston Dogs as he joins the staff as Assistant Coach for the 2025–26 NCDC season. Mike’s coaching journey includes roles at the youth, high school, and junior levels, with a strong emphasis on skill development and modern teaching methods. He currently serves as the Associate Coach-in-Chief for USA Hockey’s Massachusetts District, where he plays a central role in shaping the coaching standards and education across the state. His work includes mentoring coaches, delivering certification clinics, and supporting the long-term development model at the grassroots level. In addition, he oversees operations for Falmouth Youth Hockey, Cape Cod Storm, and Cape Cod Lightning where he’s played a key role in expanding player development initiatives and community outreach programs. Mike is the founder of MD Hockey, a private training platform focused on helping players elevate their game through high-tempo skills training, situational understanding, and decision-making. He’s widely recognized for his ability to connect with players, communicate clearly, and build confidence on and off the ice. In addition to his coaching experience, Mike has held numerous leadership roles across the hockey landscape. He previously served as Director of Strategy for Edge Sports Group, overseeing hockey operations across multiple associations and rinks throughout New England; Director of Operations for the Bridgewater Bandits, as well as Assistant Coach at the EHL and EHLP levels; Assistant Coach at Catholic Memorial High School; and Director of Program Services for Massachusetts Hockey, where he supported association growth, programming, and statewide development initiatives. Mike also spent several years as an equipment representative for CCM Hockey, managing accounts across the New England District and working directly with Division 1 programs and NHL athletes. Known for his energy and communication style on the ice, Mike has worked with players at every stage—from Learn to Skate through the NHL—and brings a coach’s mindset built on confidence, purpose, and accountability. He lives in Bridgewater, Massachusetts with his wife and their two children. eliteprospects
Contact Coach DiOrio: mdioriohockey@gmail.com
Eric Progen brings over 15 years of coaching experience at the AAA and junior hockey to his role as Associate Coach with the Boston Dogs. Throughout his career, he has served as both a Head Coach and General Manager in the NCDC and EHL, consistently guiding his teams to playoff appearances. He has also served as an Associate Head Coach for the Northeast Generals in the NAHL. Progen played a key role in building the Northeast Generals Midget Program and Academy, where he helped advance more than a dozen players to the NAHL level and many others to the NCDC and Tier III junior hockey. His leadership at the junior level has also contributed to the development of numerous athletes who have gone on to compete in NCAA Division I and III as well as professional hockey. Known for his commitment to player development, Progen’s coaching philosophy centers on building a strong team culture rooted in work ethic, accountability, growth, and discipline. He emphasizes helping every player reach their full potential while ensuring his teams remain active contributors to their communities through service and support of local youth hockey programs. eliteprospects
Contact Coach Progen: eprogen4@gmail.com
Cappelli got his start with Pro Ambitions Hockey, serving as the head coach from 2015-2017. During his time with Pro Ambitions, Cappelli developed and supervised more than fifty high-level hockey camps. Most recently, the Johnston, R.I. native served as The Portsmouth Abbey School Varsity Hockey Head Coach, where he led the school to its first ever New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC) Holt Conference Championship. Also, for the first time in school history having two NEPSAC Honorable Mentions. He also served as the VP of NEPSAC Boys Hockey Association.
Prior to getting hired at the Abbey, 2022-2023 season, Cappelli was the Men’s Asst Coach at Nichols College. He helped lead them to the 2022 Worcester Mayors Cup Championship & the 2023 Boston Landing Invitational Championship.
Since 2019 Cappelli has owned Level Up Hockey Development. With Level Up, Cappelli helps players from 12 years old to college develop their ability by teaching them game techniques and situations through on-ice skills sessions and private lessons. He also acts as an advisor to the athletes as they navigate the prep school and college recruitment process and has placed over 100 players in the prep, junior, and collegiate ranks. In 2016, Cappelli took over the duties of head coach for the Hoosac Prep School boy's hockey team, while also serving as the Assistant Athletic Director for the school. While at Hoosac, he led the program to their second-straight New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC) Holt Conference Championship and saw five graduates move on to play in the collegiate ranks. Cappelli, a 2017 graduate of Becker College, also serves as the Head Recruiter for the Little Rhody Hockey Club summer program and is the Co - Director and Head of Skills for Peak Performance Prep & Jr Blues HC. eliteprospects
Contact Coach Cappelli: zach@americanhockeyacademy.com
Keif Orsini currently serves as General Manager of American Hockey Academy, the National Bound T1 AAA hockey organization with direct affiliation to the Boston Jr Terriers. Before coaching for AHA, Coach Orsini spent two seasons coaching in the Central Canadian “Jr A” Hockey League with the Cornwall Colts. During his time with Cornwall, Keif worked with many current and future NCAA players. Prior to Cornwall, Keif coached three seasons for Concordia University in USports, Canada’s university league. His time at Concordia was highlighted by a trip to the national tournament and exhibition games against the University of Vermont and Harvard. Keif has established himself in the greater Montreal area through Rapid Hockey Development, a privately owned family company that trains players from the grass-root levels to the NHL. His work with current and former NCAA players allows him to bring a strong understanding and background for our players to benefit from at AHA. As a student-athlete, Keif played at Tabor Academy (Marion, MA) before he landed in Orono, Maine playing for the University of Maine Black Bears, where he was an NCAA All-Academic. Keif had the opportunity to represent Canada at the World Junior Challenge during the 2006-2007 season, his last before attending Maine. eliteprospects
Contact Coach Orsini: keif@americanhockeyacademy.com
SCOUTING STAFF:
Ashton Calder (Michigan) - ashtoncalder@yahoo.com
Chris Collins (California) - chrisc100@icloud.com
Cory Hunt (Minnesota) - coryhunt10@gmail.com
Trevor Jewell (USPHL) - tjewell@charlotterushhockey.com
Ross Olsson (Massachusetts) - rolsson@hillsideschool.net
Ryan Whitson (Ohio) - rwhitson21@gmail.com
