Staff

BIO

Saul Salama is an experienced hockey executive and program builder with a background spanning professional, junior, and elite development levels. He has worked closely with organizations including the Los Angeles Kings, Manchester Monarchs, Ontario Reign, and NHL Alumni, gaining exposure to every facet of professional hockey. During this time, he also contributed to the development of protective equipment currently used by NHL players.

Following his work in professional hockey, Saul transitioned into coaching and ownership at the Junior A level, where he built multiple nationally competitive programs. As co-owner of the Carolina Eagles (now Hurricanes), he helped lead the organization to a USA Hockey National Championship in 2014.

In 2015, Saul founded the Charlotte Rush (USPHL Premier & Elite), one of the league’s most successful programs, capturing National Championships in 2017 and again in 2021 at both the Premier and Elite levels. He later expanded with the Charleston Colonials, whose teams quickly reached National Championship finals and semifinals.

Saul’s latest endeavor, the Santa Clarita Lakers (USPHL Premier), represents a natural extension of his long-standing philosophy: building structured development environments that give players a clear and realistic path to advancement. Aligned with the Lake Tahoe Lakers Tier II NCDC team, the program is designed to create true movement within the system—allowing players to progress, not just participate.

His passion for the game is rooted in development—identifying potential, building confidence, and pushing athletes to reach the next level, whether that be junior advancement, college hockey, or beyond.

LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY

Saul emphasizes character, discipline, structure, and accountability, creating environments where players are pushed to reach their full potential as both athletes and young men, while developing a clear pathway to the next level.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

“My focus has always been on building programs that give players a real opportunity to advance.”

Jay Barbieri is a visionary executive and former multi-sport athlete whose career has consistently been defined by identifying opportunity early and building systems that create lasting impact.

Barbieri attended Fairfield College Preparatory School on the East Coast, where he excelled as a competitive athlete. A standout swimmer, he competed at a high level and swam for two national teams, establishing himself early as an elite performer. He later qualified for the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team—an achievement that reflected his dedication and athletic ability—though the opportunity was ultimately lost due to the Olympic cancellation that year.

That foundation in discipline and high-level competition continues to shape his approach today.

Over the past several years, Barbieri has been actively involved in youth hockey coaching and player development, working directly with athletes to improve performance, build confidence, and prepare them for advancement to higher levels of the game.

Professionally: Barbieri was at the forefront of a fundamental shift in the music industry, taking his company J-Bird Records public and helping change the face of music distribution through early digital downloading—well before it became mainstream.

He later expanded into television, becoming a nationally recognized on-air host and producer, serving as the face of one of the longest-running motorcycle television series in the country. He is also the author of the top-selling book The Biker’s Handbook, further establishing his influence in the motorsports and action sports space.

Today: Barbieri serves as General Manager of the Santa Clarita Lakers (USHPL Premier), where he oversees all aspects of the organization, including daily operations, player recruitment, development, and overall program strategy.

His focus is clear: "build real pathways for players".

Barbieri has helped establish the Santa Clarita Lakers Premier team as a structured development program that directly feeds into the Tahoe Lakers (NCDC Tier II), creating a clear and intentional pathway for players to advance.

BIO

Todd Stelnick has been involved in hockey since the age of eight and brings decades of playing and coaching experience to the game. A true student of hockey, his background spans Tier hockey, high school, and junior levels.

Selnick was a member of the very first Jr. A Flyers team in Valencia, where he made history by scoring the organization’s first-ever goal. He continued his junior career with the Minnesota Junior Owls (MNJHL), gaining valuable experience at a competitive level before transitioning into coaching.

After returning to California at the age of 21, Stelnick began his coaching career with the Valencia Express. Since then, he has coached across multiple competitive levels, including AAA, AA, and A, consistently developing players and building successful teams.

Throughout his coaching career, Stelnick’s teams have achieved numerous accomplishments, including multiple first-place tournament finishes, a Silversticks Championship, two CAHA Championships, and two SCAHA Championships.

In addition to his hockey background, Stelnick is a respected business owner in Santa Clarita with extensive experience in real estate investment and property management. Serving as Vice President with Southern California Real Estate Management (SCREM), he has built and managed a growing portfolio of residential properties, bringing strong leadership, operational discipline, and business acumen to everything he does—both on and off the ice.

He currently holds a non-expiring Level 4 USA Hockey Coaching Certification, reflecting his long-term commitment to player development and maintaining the highest coaching standards.

Now, Stelnick is excited to be part of another historic milestone—helping lead the first-ever Santa Clarita Lakers Junior A team as Director of Hockey Development.

BIO

Pavel Sisak is a highly accomplished ice hockey coach with over 16 years of experience developing elite youth and junior players across North America and Europe. Known for building competitive, high-performance programs, he has consistently advanced athletes to AAA, junior, and collegiate levels while competing at the highest tiers of youth hockey.

Currently serving as Head Coach of the Santa Clarita Flyers, Sisak leads a Tier II program focused on skill development, hockey IQ, and structured team play. Under his leadership, teams have captured CAHA Championship titles and made multiple State Final appearances, reinforcing his reputation as a results-driven developer of talent.

Prior to his current role, Sisak served as Director of Player Development and Head Coach for the Valencia Express, where he implemented individualized training systems that elevated athletes to higher levels of competition. His earlier tenure with the Channel Islands Riptide established him as a premier program builder, leading teams to multiple SCAHA and CAHA Championships, as well as a USA Hockey National Championship appearance and 3rd-place finish in 2013.

His coaching approach is grounded in a unique combination of on-ice expertise and academic training. A graduate of UCLA with a degree in Cognitive Science, Sisak integrates principles of neuroscience, decision-making, and reaction training into player development—giving athletes a measurable edge in performance and hockey IQ.

A former member of the Slovak Junior National Team, he also brings professional and elite playing experience from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Finland, providing players with a global perspective on the game.

COACHING PHILOSOPHY

Sisak emphasizes puck possession, decision-making, and hockey intelligence as the foundation of elite performance. His system focuses on developing disciplined, competitive athletes while prioritizing long-term growth over short-term results. By combining traditional skill development with cognitive performance training, he prepares players not just for the next level in hockey—but for success beyond the game.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• USA Hockey National Championships – 3rd Place (2013)
• Multiple CAHA State Championship titles and appearances
• 2022 CAHA Champion – Bantam AA (Santa Clarita Flyers)
• 2023 CCM Chicago Tournament Champion – 15AAA
• Proven track record of advancing players to AAA, junior, and collegiate levels

PERSONAL STATEMENT

“I have dedicated my life to hockey and player development. My goal is not only to develop better hockey players, but to build disciplined, resilient individuals prepared for the next level—both in sport and in life.”

Coach Taylor Hickman was born and raised in the Santa Clarita Valley and has been immersed in  the Southern California hockey scene for nearly two decades. He began his hockey journey at just 8 years old, playing roller hockey at the YMCA in Canyon Country before transitioning to ice hockey at age 10.

From ages 10 to 18, Coach Hickman competed at the A, AA, and AAA levels, spending the majority of his youth career at Valencia Ice Station (now The Cube). After aging out of youth hockey, he pursued opportunities at the junior level, including brief stints in Canada, and was a member of the Valencia Junior Flyers’ record-setting 45–7 season in 2016.

Following his junior career, he continued playing at a competitive level internationally, including Division 3 hockey in Sweden, as well as in Croatia and the International Hockey League (IHL), further broadening his experience and understanding of the game.

In the spring of 2022, Coach Hickman transitioned into coaching, driven by a desire to give back to the hockey community that shaped him. Since then, he has coached a wide range of levels, including 10U BB/A, 12U AA, 14U AA, and 16U AA.

A self-proclaimed “rink rat,” Coach Hickman brings passion and energy to the ice every day. He believes there are no bad days at the rink and approaches the game as a lifelong student, always striving to learn and grow. 

He often reflects on a quote from Gordie Howe:

“You’ve got to love what you’re doing. If you love it, you can overcome any handicap or the soreness or all the aches and pains, and continue to play for a long, long time.”

Coaching Highlights

2024–2025

● Santa Clarita Flyers 16AA – Assistant Coach

California State Championship Semi-Finalists

2023–2024

● Santa Clarita Flyers 14AA (1) – Assistant Coach

California State Championship Finalists

● Santa Clarita Flyers 14AA (2) – Assistant Coach

● Santa Clarita Flyers 10BB – Assistant Coach

California State & Southern California Championship Finalists

Coaching Certifications

● USA Hockey Levels 1, 2, 3, 4

● Age-Specific Modules: 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, 16/18/19U

● Foundations of Player Development

Isaiah Socha is a California native who developed through the Valencia Flyers before advancing to elite AAA hockey with the Los Angeles Jr. Kings. He went on to compete at the Junior level across North America, including time in the North American Hockey League and the Ontario Junior Hockey League with organizations like the Oklahoma Warriors, Buffalo Jr. Sabres, and Mississauga Chargers. 

Having spent years immersed in high-level hockey environments and around NHL coaches and players, Isaiah brings a pro-level understanding of the game, strong connections throughout the sport, and a commitment to developing players the right way.

Erin Myles Sussman brings several years of experience managing tier hockey teams, most recently serving as Team Manager for a 16U AA club program. With a strong background in communication and organization, Erin excels at coordinating between players, families, and team staff, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.

Her attention to detail and ability to manage logistics create a professional, structured environment that supports both player development and team success. Erin’s commitment to the program and her ability to foster clear, effective communication make her a valuable asset to the organization.