MIKE LETIZIA

HEAD COACH

MLETIZIA@JOHNSTOWNTOMAHAWKS.COM

Mike Letizia is behind the bench as the Tomahawks head coach for his ninth season. Letizia, originally from Chicago, served as the team’s assistant coach during their first two seasons.

During his first season as head coach, six Tomahawks made commitments to NCAA Division 1 programs, with seven players also playing at the NCAA Division 3 level. In addition, the Tomahawks also had their first ever player drafted to the NHL, goaltender Ryan Bednard to the Florida Panthers. In his second season as head coach, the Tomahawks set franchise highs for points, wins, and goals scored. The team also captured its first playoff series victory in team history. Another major highlight of Coach Letizia’s second season as head coach was a team record 17 NCAA commitments.

In 2016-2017, Letizia’s third season as head coach, the team once again set franchise highs in wins (40), point total (84), and goals scored (204). Additionally, a league high 7 players attended the NAHL’s Top Prospects Event with Letizia serving as Assistant Coach of the East Division team, and 5 Tomahawks players received NCAA Division 1 commitments during the season. In 2017-2018, 3 players received NCAA Division 1 commitments.

In 2018-2019, Letizia led the Tomahawks to the best season in franchise history. 8 players received NCAA Division 1 commitments. He was selected as the Head Coach for the East Division at the NAHL’s Top Prospects event. The Tomahawks captured their first East Division Regular Season title and also won the NAHL’s President’s Trophy as Regular Season champions with an overall record of 47-9-4 for 98 points. This set franchise highs for wins and points. At the conclusion of the Regular Season, Letizia was chosen as the East Division Coach of the Year and GM of the Year. The Tomahawks won the East Division Playoff Championship advancing to the Robertson Cup Championship for the first time in team history.  Letizia was recognized as the 2018-2019 NAHL’s Coach of the Year.

In 2019-2020, the Tomahawks once again compiled a strong season finishing with a record of 34-13-2-2 in 51 games before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Away from the ice, Letizia participated as an ambassador in the Real Men Wear Pink campaign to help raise support and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. At the conclusion of his October campaign, he raised over $10,000 for the American Cancer Society.  During this season, Letizia was named as Assistant Coach of the East Division for the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament. Additionally, several players received NCAA Division 1 and Division 3 commitments. Letizia recorded his 200th win as Head Coach in the final game of the shortened 2019-2020 season. At the conclusion of the shortened season, Letizia was named NAHL East Division Coach of the Year for the second straight season.

During the 2020-2021 season, Letizia once again led the Tomahawks to the East Division Regular season title compiling a record of 39-10-5 for 83 points and a .769 Win Percentage. Once again, several Tomahawk players made NCAA Division 1 and Division 3 commitments. At the conclusion of the Regular Season, Letizia was named the East Division Coach of the Year for the third straight season.

As a junior player, Letizia spent four seasons in the OHL with the Plymouth Whalers after being selected in the fourth round of the 2002 OHL Draft. He served as one of the team captains for two seasons. The defenseman signed his first professional contract with the Rockford Icehogs of the former United Hockey League. During his time there, Letizia won a Colonial Cup Championship in 2007.

Letizia currently resides in Somerset, PA with his wife Alana, their daughter Myla and son Niko.

DAVE DUNKLEBERGER

ASSISTANT COACH

daviddunkleberger@yahoo.com

Dave Dunkleberger became the team’s Assistant Coach during the 2020-2021 season, and will be the assistant coach for his third season in 2022-2023. Dave has been a part of the organization since the 2014-2015 season as a part of coach Letizia’s staff.

Dave will help with player recruiting, on and off ice team planning/development, video instruction, and all other hockey related matters.

On the ice, he spent 4 seasons backstopping the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown as the starting goalie. He was selected to 2 CHE All Star Games. Additionally, he led the Ice Cats to the CHE championship his senior year, as well as a trip to the ACHA National Tournament.

Dave is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, and currently resides in Johnstown, PA

NICK MISH

GOALTENDING COACH

NMISH@ETMGOALTENDING.COM

Off-Ice  Support Staff