our STAFF

Ben Warda is currently the Head Coach of the Compuware 15O AAA team entering his 6th year coaching. Current level 4 coach. Prior to his coaching career Ben was a scout for the Ottawa 67s in the Ontario Hockey League focusing on Detroit area prospects after retiring from professional hockey in 2017. Ben spent the previous 4 years playing professionally overseas in Germany. Prior to turning pro, Ben played two years of Jr. A hockey for the St. Louis Bandits (NAHL) under current Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper (NHL), winning back-to-back national championships while leading the team in scoring his second season. Ben received a scholarship to Michigan St. University (BIG10)  where he played his freshman season before transferring to Western Michigan University (NCHC) where he completed his college career from 2010-2013 under coaches Jeff Blashill & Andy Murray, winning a CCHA championship in 2011. 

Coach Kovacs is currently the Associate Head Coach of the Compuware 15O AAA team with Coach Warda. Justin also serves at the Michigan Scout for the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL). Prior to coaching, Justin played 6 years of professional hockey split between the Kalamazoo K-Wings (ECHL), England, and Slovakia. Before turning pro, Justin was a standout in the USHL where he played 2 years of junior hockey for the Cedar Rapids Rough Riders where he earned a scholarship to Western Michigan University (NCHC) winning a CCHA Conference Championship during his sophomore season and winning the NCHC goal of the year during his senior year. Justin grew up playing his youth hockey for Compuware AAA. "Coach Kovacs brings an elite level skill set to the DPH staff. Our players will improve their overall skills while working with him and we couldn't be more thrilled to have him apart of our staff." - Ben Warda

Coach Dedenbach is currently Head Coach of the Detroit Bulldogs 11U & Detroit Muskies 2017 teams. Jared is entering his 5th year coaching and is also Director of the 8U Grosse Pointe Player Development Program & a level 4 certified coach. Prior to his coaching career, Jared played 3 years of Jr. A hockey split between the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (NAHL), New Jersey Hitmen (USPHL), and the Fargo Force (USHL) winning a national championship for New Jersey and Clark Cup runner up for Fargo in the USHL. After juniors, Jared went on to play college hockey at Wisconsin-Superior (NCAA D-III) before retiring in  2017. "Coach Jared really brings a ton of knowledge to our players from all different age groups. He has a knack of connecting with the kids and teaching them in a way that really resonates & makes a difference in their overall game." - Ben Warda

Coach Rajt is a Grosse Pointe Native, who’s love of the game was cultivated at a young age. In 2010, Matt enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and carried out his love of the game between deployment cycles. While playing in North Carolina, Matt played against quality ACHA club teams up and down the Southeast Coast. After his exit from the Marine Corps, Matt carried his love for the game through his son, starting his coaching career at Bulldogs Hockey Club, starting the 8U full ice team; the Eastside Muskies, which continues to exist today. Matt believes in fundamental progression models, to master basic skills at a young age. This progressive model allowed him to become an Assistant Coach, and video coach for the 2013 Victory Honda AAA team. Today, Matt is the Associate Head Coach for the 2017 Muskies. Matt is also an Associate Coach for Grosse Pointes Learn to Play-ADM Program, where he has a direct hand in developing 2016-2020 birth years. "Matt brings an infectious love of the game, to make hockey fun, while developing kids into high quality hockey players." - Ben Warda

Coach Berschbach is entering his 5th year on the DPH staff. Shane is currently a member of Fore Hockey IQ specializing in video and IQ training for players of all ages. Prior to coaching, Shane grew up playing his youth hockey for Little Caesars AAA. Shane played 2 years of Junior hockey for the Indiana Ice (USHL) earning a scholarship to Western Michigan University (NCHC) playing for coaches Jeff Blashill and Andy Murray winning a CCHA Championship during his sophomore season. After college Shane went on to play 6 years of professional hockey for the Toledo Walleye (ECHL) where we became the team's all-time assist and point leader having amassed over 400 points throughout his career. "Coach Bershy brings both a high level skill set and hockey IQ to our players to learn and improve from." - Ben Warda

Coach Albers is entering his 5th year on the DPH staff. Kevin spent 2 seasons as Assistant Coach for the Lake Orion High School Hockey team. Prior to coaching, Albers played 3 seasons of junior hockey in the USHL split between the Green Bay Gamblers, Muskegon Lumberjacks, and Omaha Lancers. In 2009-2010 Albers was selected to the U19 USA Development Team and also won the Clark Cup (USHL Championship) in the same year. After juniors Kevin was awarded a full scholarship to Niagara University where he spent 2 of his 4 years as team captain. After his college career, Kevin played 2 years of professional hockey in the ECHL and overseas in Europe. "Coach Albers is a vital piece to our academy with over 5 years experience as a skills coach for us. Kevin knows exactly what it takes to succeed at the highest levels and is great at relaying his invaluable knowledge to our young players." - Ben Warda