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Jr. Lancer Coaching Bios

Varsity Head Coach - John Thomas

Originally from Lincoln Park, MI, Thomas moved to Omaha, NE, in 2000 to play for the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL). In two years with the Lancers, Thomas helped his team to a League Championship (Anderson Cup), a Playoff Championship (Clark Cup) and a National Championship before being named Team MVP in 2002.  
 
That year, Thomas signed an athletic scholarship to play hockey for the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks (CCHA). After playing four years, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication with a minor in Journalism. Following graduation, Thomas moved on to play professional hockey for the Kalamazoo K-Wings (UHL), and the Toledo Storm (ECHL).
 
In 2007 Thomas helped launch Omaha’s first off-ice skill development center, Complete Hockey Omaha.  In 2008 he served as the Omaha Metropolitan Amateur Hockey Association Coaching and Ace Director. Thomas will be completing his Master's Degree in Business Administration in the spring of 2010.
Other Relevant Experience: 
Coaching experience at every youth level (Mites through Midgets)
Level 4 USA Hockey Certified Coach
Organized and carried out numerous USA Hockey coaching education clinics
Instructor - Mike Kemp Summer Hockey Camps
Instructor -Wyandotte Minor Hockey Development Camps 
Columnist for Michigan's Hockey Weekly Magazine

Varsity Assistant Head Coach / JV Head Coach - Mike Morton

An Omaha native, Mike started his hockey career in 1970, playing travel hockey from the Squirt through Midget levels, with O.M.A.H.A. He then went on to play Junior "A" hockey, for the Austin Mavericks and the Sioux City Musketeers, of the United States Hockey League. Mike's coaching career began in 1989.

Throughout the years Mike has coached, Mites, Squirt, Pee Wee, and Bantam Travel Team levels. During this time period, he coached these teams to numerous tournament wins and Midwest Championships at each level. In the year 2000, Mike joined the coaching staff of the Omaha Jr. Lancers, as head coach of the JV team and as assistant coach to the Varsity team. In Mike's first year as coach, the JV Jr. Lancers won the IHSHL League championship and took 3rd place in the state tournament. The Varsity Jr. Lancers also won their league championship and took 1st place in their state tournament. Throughout Mike's ten years with the Jr. Lancers they have brought home numerous high-level major tournament wins including IHSHL JV state runner-up, championship games along with IHSHL Varsity state and league championships. Mike's last two years of coaching at the Jr. Lancer level, consisted of coaching in the CSDHL league.

Coaching Staff - Ray Gitchel

  • 10+ years of coaching experience
  • USA certified Level 3 coach
  • Administers an adult hockey league that is dedicated to all skill levels of players from the beginner to advanced
  • Coach beginner adult players
     

Coaching Staff - Mike Vlassakis

  • 20+ years of coaching experience
  • USA certified Level 4 coach
  • Member of the Omaha Lancers staff from 87’ – 92’
  • Held board member position for USA Hockey STAR program
  • Staff member of the USA Hockey’s Select 16 World Hockey Challenge Team
  • Directed youth camps in the central states region for fourteen years
  • Co-director of the Colorado Select Festival (2002).
  • Helped launch the Metro Classic Hockey League (MCHL) in 1993
  • Involved with numerous Midwest, Tri-State, Central District and national level championship teams.