Gary Heenan Commits to Jr. Comets Elite
Mar 3, 2016The Utica Jr. Comets Elite are excited to announce Utica College Men’s Ice Hockey coach, Gary Heenan, has officially inked a new two-year agreement that solidifies him as the power skating and skill development coach exclusively with the Utica Jr. Comets Elite Program and the Utica Memorial Auditorium through 2018. The partnership between Heenan and the Elite program will reinforce the unparalleled potential linking the Comets, Utica College, Jr. Elites, and The AUD.
“This marks an extraordinary time to welcome one of the nation’s top collegiate coaches to the Jr. Elite Program,” said Comets President Robert Esche. “Having Coach Heenan working exclusively with the Jr. Elite program speaks volumes about his commitment to both our organization and the unmatched mutualistic partnerships built between hockey organizations in our area.”
The rise and upcoming expansion of the Jr. Elite program comes following the continued accomplishments of both the Utica Comets and Utica College Pioneers. “We have realized, over the past three years, that the successes of our local hockey organizations are not mutually exclusive; rather, when banded together, we strengthen aspects of each team that we would not have been able to otherwise,” Coach Heenan explained.
Throughout the duration of his two-year exclusive power skating contract, Coach Heenan will also oversee additional stick skill development sessions at each Elite level. Utilizing the mindset of a hockey academy, Heenan, Esche, and the rest of the coaching staff are committed to making expedited development the Elite program’s primary initiative.
With this agreement, the Jr. Elite program continues to elevate itself and become the pinnacle hockey program in the Mohawk Valley.