Ed Gingher has almost 30 years of experience growing the game of hockey in Central Ohio.

Following six seasons with the Dayton Bombers (ECHL)—where he served as a scout, assistant coach, and general manager—Gingher founded the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets in 2004.

Over the course of his career, Gingher has helped guide hundreds of players to the next level, including six who have gone on to play in the NHL and more than 30 who have advanced to the professional ranks.

In addition to his on-ice impact, Gingher serves on the executive boards of USA Hockey, USA Hockey’s Junior Council, the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League, and the Mid American District.

Dale Jordan has been a leader in player development in Central Ohio for more than 20 years.

With experience across all age groups and levels, he currently serves as Hockey Director and Head Coach with the Ohio Blue Jackets. Jordan also spent five seasons as the varsity head coach at St. Charles High School.

A highly respected teacher of skills, habits, and hockey awareness, Jordan is known for his ability to connect with players and translate concepts into game-ready execution. He dedicates significant time to developing athletes through private and small-group training, focusing on building confidence and consistency.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jordan played junior hockey for the Columbus Crush and has experience at both the Junior A and Junior B levels.

Nick Petraglia brings more than 25 years of coaching experience, including 20 years at the Division I level as Miami University as a player, coach and administrator. Since 2020, he has served as Executive Vice President of the Ohio Blue Jackets, playing a key role in shaping the organization’s development model and continued growth.

During his time at Miami, Petraglia was part of teams that won five conference championships, appeared in 10 NCAA Tournaments, and advanced to two Frozen Fours. He has recruited and coached more than 20 players with NHL experience, 12 All-Americans, 30+ All-Conference selections and a Hobey Baker Award winner and Olympic captain. Petraglia has also worked extensively with USA Hockey at the player development and national team levels.

As a player, he won a National Championship at Shattuck-St. Mary’s before going on to play Division I hockey at Miami University.

Kerry Bowman joined the Central Ohio coaching community five years ago and currently serves as the Girls Hockey Director and head coach of the 16U girls team. He has played an integral role in the program’s development, including helping guide its first team to a national tournament appearance.

A native of Leamington, Ontario, Bowman spent six seasons as head coach of the AAA Sun County Panthers in the Ontario Hockey Federation (2011–2017) while also working full-time as an educator. He has been a lead instructor with the CAN/AM Hockey Group since 2001.

As a player, Bowman competed at the Division I level at Mercyhurst College, where he helped lead the program to an Atlantic Hockey Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. He later went on to play professionally with the IHL’s Port Huron Icehawks.

Pat Cannone brings a wealth of experience to the game of hockey, with a focus on coaching, player development, and advancement over the past five years. In addition to his work in development, he is a certified PHPA agent and serves as a player agent and advisor with Lakonic Sports Agency.

Cannone enjoyed a distinguished playing career that spanned 10 professional seasons, highlighted by making his NHL debut with the Minnesota Wild in 2016–17. He served as team captain of the AHL’s Chicago Wolves and also competed for two seasons in Germany.

A native of Bayport, New York, Cannone played his collegiate hockey at Miami University, where he recorded 133 career points. He served as team captain and helped lead the program to two Frozen Four appearances, two league championships, and four NCAA Tournament appearances during his four-year career.

Derek Dorsett brings extensive professional playing experience and a strong passion for player development. A former NHL forward, Dorsett played over 400 games at the highest level with the Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks.

Since transitioning into coaching, Dorsett has focused on player development with the Ohio Blue Jackets, helping young athletes understand what it takes to compete at higher levels. He emphasizes effort, detail, and the habits required to succeed in competitive hockey environments.

A native of Kindersley, Saskatchewan, Dorsett’s playing career also included significant AHL experience, where he served in leadership roles and continued to develop his identity as a hard-working, team-first player.

Nate Handrahan brings more than 25 years of coaching experience, including 14 seasons at the NCAA Division I level with Niagara, Robert Morris, and Ohio State as both an assistant and head coach.

He is the owner of Hammer Hockey Development where he specializes in developing defensemen and serves as a head coach with the Ohio Blue Jackets, where he focuses on developing players through detailed instruction, strong habits, and a competitive training environment.

A former Division I defenseman at Niagara, Handrahan was a two-time all-league selection and served as an assistant captain before going on to play professionally in the ECHL.

Josh Harrold brings extensive coaching experience at the highest levels, including time in the USHL, ECHL, and more than 15 years as a AAA head coach.

He has built a strong reputation for developing defensemen and helping players improve their game through detailed instruction, structure, and a high standard of accountability.

A standout defenseman at Miami University, Harrold went on to play six professional seasons, appearing in over 300 games across the AHL, IHL, and ECHL. He was also recognized as a NAHL Defenseman of the Year.

Joakim Lindstrom brings extensive professional playing experience and a strong background in player development.

A former professional forward, Lindstrom played at the highest levels of the game, including time in the NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, and St. Louis Blues. Known for his high hockey IQ, skill, and playmaking ability, he built a long and successful career across North America and Europe.

Following his playing career, Lindstrom transitioned into player development, where he now works with Sigalet Hockey, helping athletes refine their skills, improve their understanding of the game, and prepare for higher levels of competition.

James Nash brings nearly 20 years of coaching experience, including extensive time as a professional skills coach working with elite players of all ages.

In addition to serving as a head coach within the Ohio Blue Jackets program, he specializes in skill development, helping players refine their technique and master key details in all areas of the game.

A native of Brampton, Ontario, Nash developed through the AAA ranks in Toronto with the Mississauga Rebels of the GTHL (formerly the MTHL) and captured an All-Ontario Championship with the Brampton Maroons. He went on to play junior hockey with the Mississauga Chargers (OPJHL) before continuing his career at the collegiate level with Humber College.

Brian Thompson joins the EDG staff with a well-rounded background and extensive junior coaching experience, bringing a strong foundation in player development and program building.

He previously served as Assistant Coach and Scouting Director for the Columbus Mavericks (USPHL) and later as Head Coach and General Manager of the Buffalo Stampede (USPHL). Thompson now serves as the 18U head coach for the Ohio Blue Jackets after helping lead the team to a T1EHL Playoff Championship in 2026 as an assistant coach. In that role, he oversaw the team’s power play, led on-ice development sessions, and played a key role in game planning and video preparation—emphasizing habits that translate directly to game performance.

A native of Westerville, Ohio, Thompson played collegiately at the University of Central Oklahoma as part of the program’s inaugural ACHA Division I class. He served as an assistant captain all four seasons and helped lead the team to a national tournament Final Four appearance.