Staff
CLIFF GRAZIANO – OWNER / GM / HEAD COACH EHLP JR TEAM & CO-HEAD COACH 18U JDP TEAM
NAHL MD Black Bears Scout & Team MD EHL Scout / Affiliation
Coach Cliff Graziano graduated from Penn State University in 1995, and had 4 credible seasons with the PSU hockey team. After graduation, he received a tryout in the Detroit Red Wing Association and went on to play briefly with the Jacksonville Bullets, a Detroit Red Wing affiliate.
Coach Graziano has been coaching hockey since 1995. He is a USA Hockey certified Advanced Level 4 coach and is in the process of attaining the Level 5 Masters certification.
Some of the hockey programs Cliff has been affiliated with include:
– Turcotte Stickhandling School (Head Instructor 1994-present)
– Morris Hills High School (Head Varsity Coach 1995-1999)
– New Jersey Colonials (AAA Midget Coach 1997-1998)
– Nothing But Net Hockey Skills, Montgomery, MD (Head Instructor 1997-present)
– Team Rangers (Head Coach 2003)
– Team Maryland Tier I AAA (Bantam Major 01’s / PW minor 05’s)
– New Jersey Renegades Youth & Jr (On-Ice Director 2000-present).
Coach Graziano is the Head Coach and General Manager of the NJ Renegades EHL Jr Team. He has coached numerous players that have gone onto NHL and other levels of professional hockey, ranging from NCAA DI/DIII & ACHA college hockey, to prep schools and upper levels of Junior hockey, including the USHL and the NAHL.
He also was selected as the Head Coach and GM of the 2010 MJHL All Star Team at Nationals in Marlborough, Massachusetts where the team won the tournament.
Interested in private lessons, group lessons, clinics, or off-ice training? Contact Cliff at cgraz16@ptd.net or (973) 479- 2403 to set one up! Also feel free to check out our ‘Endorsements’ tab to see all of the great things previous players and coaches have to say about working with Coach Cliff and the Renegades staff!
AMY GRAZIANO — ADMINISTRATOR
Amy has been with the Renegades for the past 14 years as an assistant to the General Manager. Through her hard work and dedication, she took on the role of the Administrator for the club. Among her many responsibilities, Amy is the main point of contact regarding tuition, apparel, hotel and transportation for the Junior team. We are proud and lucky to have such a warmhearted and gifted staff member!
STACEY DIMICK – BILLET COORDINATOR
Stacey joins us this season as our new Billet Coordinator. She can be reached at: (973) 214-9494 / STACEY_B89@YAHOO.COM if you have any questions regarding Billeting. For more info see our Billeting link on our website: https://www.njrenegades.net/page/show/7971076-billeting
ROSS CARMICHAEL — ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH OF OUR EHL PREMIER JR TEAM/18U JDP TEAM/RECRUITING COORDINATOR!
Ross grew up in NJ playing for the Mercer Chiefs from Peewee minor through Midget. He was part of the team that won the AYHL and competed at USA Hockey Nationals in 2003 at the U18 AAA level. Ross also played three years of high school hockey at Princeton Day School winning 3 Prep Championships. He served as an Assistant Captain his senior year and as a post graduate he attended the National Sports Academy where the Mountaineers won the Midwest Prep Hockey League. Ross then moved on to play 1 season in the Met Jr hockey league before moving on to play four seasons of NCAA Div 3 hockey at Castleton University where he served as an Assistant Captain. He was also named to 3 ECAC East All-Academic teams.
Ross’s coaching career began in the 2009-10 season with the San Diego Gulls/Sabers in the WSHL, first as an assistant coach for the Jr team, then as an Associate Head Coach and Part Owner of the San Diego Jr Gulls youth program. His 2016-17 AAA Bantam Major team won a CAHA state championship and represented CAHA at Districts. Ross has since moved back to NJ and has been coaching the Bantam and Midget AAA teams for the Mercer Chiefs over the last few years.
Ross will now be taking a position with our Jr program in year 1 as an Associate Head Coach of both the Renegades EHL Premier Jr Team as well as the 18U Jr Development Team. His main responsibility will be as the clubs recruiting coordinator.
We would like to welcome Ross and his wife Emily as well as their son Campbell and daughter Ellison to the Renegades Family.
Contact Info for Coach Ross Carmichael:
carmichael.ross@gmail.com / (609) 462-1276
BO KISCH – GOALIE COACH
Renegades welcome goaltending coach BJ Kisch to the club, as a goaltending coach for the EHL Premier Jr Team.
Coach BO joined us mid-season in 2020 and was there through the EHL playoffs. He has worked with the NJ Colonials, Skylands Kings, and other clubs as well as running his own camps, clinics and lessons for high-level goalies. This year Coach BO was mentored by Mitch Korn (NY Islanders Goaltending coach). Coach BO is a Level 3 USA Hockey coach and is working his working his way toward a USA Hockey Goaltending Gold certification. He is PGI 360 certified as well as a Puckstoppers certified goaltending coach. The philosophy of “Work Harder” will be sure to bring our goalies up to and beyond the challenges of the coming season. Welcome aboard Coach!
CONNOR HARRINGTON – EHLP ASST. COACH / 18U JDP CO-HEAD COACH / OFF-ICE CONDITIONING COACH
Connor is a former Jr player for the Renegades. He is entering his 3rd season coaching with us. He will also focus on the intense off-ice training as part of Big Bear Strength and Conditioning.
MIKE WENZEL – EHLP ASST COACH & 18U JDP CO-HEAD COACH
Mike is a former teammate of Coach Graz on the Penn State University College team, Jr Devils and a lifelong friend and teammate. He is entering his 3rd season coaching with us.
JON KWESTEL – EHL PREMIER ASST. GUEST COACH
Renegades Alumni Jr player Jon Kwestel is re-joining the club, this time as an asst. coach for the EHL Premier Jr Team. Jon was the captain of our 2017-2018 Jr team and his leadership skills, toughness, work ethic and defensive mindset will be a huge attribute to our team for the upcoming season. Welcome aboard Coach!
SHANE HINE – 18U JDP & EHL PREMIER JR TEAM GUEST ASST. COACH
Renegades Alumni Youth & Jr player Shane Hine from Jefferson NJ is coming aboard as an asst. coach for the EHL Premier Jr Team & EJEPL JDP 18U Team for the 2020-2021 season. Shane brought an incredible work ethic and intensity to the teams he played on. He was the ultimate teammate on and off the ice and will be a tremendous addition to our coaching staff for the upcoming season. Welcome aboard Coach!
BOBBY CHAYKA – 18U JDP & EHL PREMIER JR TEAM GUEST ASST. COACH
Bobby Chayka, from Hardwick NJ was a Renegades youth player back in the early 2000’s. He moved on to play Jr hockey followed by a 4 year career at NCAA Div. III SUNY-Brockport. Bobby was a defenseman that had great skating ability and puck skills that opened up the game for his natural offensive abilities. He will be an asst. coach for both our EHL Premier Jr Team and our EJEPL 18U JDP team. Our players, coaches and organization will benefit from his playing experience and we look forward to him working with our players. Welcome back to The Renegades Family!
JACK CALLAHAN – GUEST COACH
Jack played for the NJ Renegades and Coach Graz for many years. He was drafted by the Lincoln Stars of the USHL and won a National Championship with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the NAHL in 2011. After his Jr career he went onto NCAA Div. I Qunnipiac University before transferring the NCAA D III University of Wisconsin Eau Clair winning another National Championship in 2013. Jack was a highly skilled player with a great attitude and work ethic and he will bring his experience to the Renegades teams and players this upcoming season.
DONNY PELLIGRINO – GUEST COACH
Donny began his club hockey playing career with the Bridgewater Bears and has also played for teams such as the New Jersey Renegades, New Jersey Rockets, and played Juniors for the New Jersey Wildcats. He also played for Bridgewater–Raritan High School, making varsity all four years and was selected to 3rd Team All State, 2nd Team All Public, and 1st Team All Conference. He played D-I Club with Villanova University from 2009 – 2012. Donny’s leadership was demonstrated through his captaincy for numerous teams he played for. Donny was part of the original Renegades team when the organization began in the 99-00 season.
DAN ABAUNZA – EHLP JR TEAM & 18U JDP GUEST ASST. COACH
Renegades Alumni Jr player Dan Abaunza is re-joining the club, same as his fellow teammate Coach Kwestel. Dan is an asst. coach for the EHL Premier Jr Team as well as helping out the 18U JDP team. Dan was a Dman with our Jr team and his toughness, work ethic and defensive mindset will help our team and it’s players for the upcoming season. Welcome aboard Coach!
