Tomahawks Hockey Partners LLC. is pleased to announce the hiring of Jared Kersner as the Head Coach and General Manager of the Johnstown Tomahawks. Kersner is the third Head Coach in the franchises’ 13th season.
“I am deeply honored and grateful to Mr. Koufis for entrusting me with the responsibility of being the next head coach of the Johnstown Tomahawks”, said Kersner. “This opportunity represents the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and passion for the game of hockey. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Mr. Koufis and the entire organization for believing in my abilities and giving me the chance to lead this team.”
Kersner added, “As I step into this new role, I am filled with excitement and a sense of purpose. I am committed to upholding the proud traditions and values of the Johnstown Tomahawks while also bringing fresh perspectives and ideas to the table. Together with the players, coaching staff, and management, I am confident that we can achieve great success both on and off the ice.”
The Maryland native began his coaching career after graduating from Becker College in 2010 with a B.S. in Exercise Science. While at Becker, he played a pivotal role in their NCAA Division III hockey program, serving as team captain during his Junior and Senior years. After graduation, Kersner transitioned into coaching, achieving notable success with AAA teams. His coaching expertise led teams to multiple league championships and appearances at USA Hockey Nationals. In 2013, he co-founded the Skipjacks Hockey Club, which quickly earned national recognition at the U16/U18 level. The Skipjacks’ influence extended beyond the rink, helping players advance to NCAA DI and DIII schools, as well as elite Jr. A league’s such as the USHL, NAHL, BCHL, and NCDC. Additionally, Kersner co-founded Pinnacle Performance, a specialized training program for elite youth, junior, and professional hockey players during the off-season.
“We are excited to introduce Jared Kersner as the next Head Coach and General Manager of the Johnstown Tomahawks and welcome him and his family to the Johnstown community,” said Tomahawks majority owner, John Koufis. “We interviewed many qualified candidates over the last several weeks, but ultimately felt Jared’s strong understanding of today’s junior hockey landscape, his vision for our program, and his passion for community, players, and the game of hockey aligned with the direction we had for the franchise when we completed the acquisition of the team just over a year ago. We look forward to Jared leading the program, as all of us work together to help our players achieve their goals and, in the process, compete for a Robertson Cup championship.”
For the past two seasons, Kersner has been the Head Coach and General Manager of the Rockets Hockey Club in the NCDC. The Tomahawks new boss behind the bench resides in York, PA, with his wife Brandis, and their two daughters, Caris and Caroline.
“I am fully aware of the expectations that come with this position, and I embrace the challenge wholeheartedly”, stated Kersner. “My goal is not only to win games but also to foster a culture of unity, respect, and continuous improvement within the team. I believe that by working together and pushing each other to be the best we can be, we can reach new heights and make our fans proud. I am incredibly excited about the journey that lies ahead, and I am eager to get started. With hard work, determination, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, I am confident that we can achieve our goals and write the next chapter in the storied history of the Johnstown Tomahawks.”
The Johnstown Tomahawks will be hosting a press conference to welcome Head Coach and General Manager Jared Kersner on Tuesday, May 28th, 2024, at 10:30 AM in the Stars and Stripes Lounge located on the second floor of the 1ST SUMMIT Arena. Members of the local media are encouraged to attend. The press conference is open to the public.