U16 Split Season Coaching

​Gwil Jones has been coaching for 25+ years in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York with a strong focus on player development. 

He has been with the Polar Bears since 2018 and has led his teams to multiple New England Regional Championships and National Tournament appearances. Prior to his time with the Polar Bears, Gwil's teams have won the New York State and Eastern Hockey Federation Championships. 

​He has coached and mentored dozens of players who have gone on to play prep and college hockey. Gwil is entering his seventh season as a coach with the Polar Bears.



Katie Savage has coached at all age groups for the Polar Bears, from U12 to U19 at both the Tier I and Tier II levels. She serves as a key advisor guiding our players through the prep and college placement processes. 

A tremendous student athlete during her time at Amherst College, Katie was a member of the women's field hockey, ice hockey, and lacrosse teams. While at Amherst, Katie earned NESCAC All-Academic Team Selections consecutively from 2016 - 2019. In 2019, she was also the recipient of the prestigious Friends of Amherst Athletics Award. Katie formerly attended the Westminster School. At Westminster, she was a 2017-2018 ACHA All-American Scholar and was named team captain her senior season.

​She is entering her sixth year as a coach with the Polar Bears.



The CT Native was a standout netminder for the Northwestern Ice Hawks and Watertown-Pomperaug High School Co-op. He went on to backstop the Bryant University Bulldogs in the ACHA II and was the three-year starter for the team.

Carl has served as instructor with the Blue Chip Selects Hockey Program, working with players of all ages in both goalie and player development skill sessions. Carl has a passion for teaching and is excited to coach with the Polar Bears this upcoming season. 

Katelyn Pantera has coached players across all age groups for the Polar Bears since her graduation in 2019.

She graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall and went on to play at Amherst College.

The Connecticut Native and former Polar Bear studied Psychology at Amherst and works as a nurse outside of hockey. 

Dave Rittenhouse brings decades of experience to the Bears. Most recently, Dave has served as a coach at Colby College.

Prior to that, Dave served as Head Coach at the University of Tampa, Assistant for the Tampa Bay Jr Lightning, Assistant Coach for the Tampa Scorpions, and systems/video coach for the CT Polar Bears from 2015-2024.

Dave is in the details and has immense knowledge of the game. His goals are players improvement year over year, helping players to understand the game, increase their skill, learn to correct their mistakes, play with confidence, become a good teammate, represent themselves properly on and off the ice, and play the game the right way. 

Katie Savage has coached at all age groups for the Polar Bears, from U12 to U19 at both the Tier I and Tier II levels. She serves as a key advisor guiding our players through the prep and college placement processes. 

A tremendous student athlete during her time at Amherst College, Katie was a member of the women's field hockey, ice hockey, and lacrosse teams. While at Amherst, Katie earned NESCAC All-Academic Team Selections consecutively from 2016 - 2019. In 2019, she was also the recipient of the prestigious Friends of Amherst Athletics Award. Katie formerly attended the Westminster School. At Westminster, she was a 2017-2018 ACHA All-American Scholar and was named team captain her senior season.

​She is entering her sixth year as a coach with the Polar Bears.

Patrick Cooper has been coaching high school hockey for close to 20 years. 2023 marked his inaugural year as Head Coach for St. Joseph High School, CIAC Division 1, Boys Ice Hockey after 18 seasons as the Assistant Coach for Trumbull High School (2012 D2 CIAC State Champions).

Patrick is the current Director of Hockey programming at The Rinks at Shelton. Coach Coop has worked with all ages of players from LTP programs to 19U over the last 10 years, and holds a Level 4 USA Hockey certification. Patrick is also a certified Power Edge Pro (PEP) instructor and a CAN/AM Hockey instructor.  

Coach Coop’s philosophy centers around player development and creating an environment where players are able to play with confidence and push beyond where they’re comfortable to foster growth. Patrick is looking forward to joining the CT Polar Bears players and coaching staff for his first season.



Paula Dady enters her 2nd season with the Polar Bears. She's been the Head Coach of the Trumbull/St. Joes Girls Varsity High School ice hockey program for the past 14 years. In her tenure, Paula was voted Coach of the year 4 times and has led her team to the state tournament numerous seasons.

As a player, Paula had a successful athletic career while attending Hamilton College. She was a dual sport athlete starring in hockey and soccer for all 4 years. As a member of the women's hockey team, Paula was named as a NESCAC 1st Team All-Star, 100 Point Club Member, and was named Captain her junior & senior years.

Paula graduated from Hamilton with a double major in Economics and Studio Art. Prior to matriculating to Hamilton, Paula attended The Taft School.