CLEAR EYES
FULL HEARTS
CAN'T LOSE
DURANT COUGARS ICE HOCKEY
The third iteration of the Durant Hockey Club, founded in 2017, emerged from a vision to elevate the high school hockey experience in the Tampa Bay area. Born from the collaboration of passionate individuals, including head coach Todd Comunale, associate head coach Jamie Gorham, assistant coach Clint Walden, goaltending coach Michael Cappiello, and skating director Jen Kious (now Danowitz), the club aimed to provide a structured, travel-like hockey experience for students from Durant, Strawberry Crest, Plant City, and Brandon high schools. Their mission was clear; promote student well-being, sportsmanship, and physical fitness through the sport of ice hockey.
With a dedicated coaching staff and a roster of only 16 skaters, the club quickly made its mark, earning a playoff berth in its inaugural season. From its humble beginnings to its status as a prominent force in high school hockey, the Durant Hockey Club continues to leave an indelible mark on the LHSHL, embodying the values of sportsmanship, teamwork, and excellence.
Meet the Coaches
The Durant hockey coaching staff brings a wealth of experience and specialized skills along with a strong commitment to excellence
Mike Cappiello
Head Coach
Coach Michael Cappiello AKA “Coach Cappie” is a Level 4 certified hockey coach with over 15 years of coaching experience. As the head coach for Durant High School Varsity for the past two seasons, Coach Cappie has demonstrated exceptional leadership, fostering a culture of teamwork and excellence on and off the ice.
Prior to his time as head coach, Cappie has served previously as assistant coach for Durant, the associate coach at Tampa Catholic and was head coach for Durant’s JV team for a time.
Known for his commitment to player development and his ability to inspire athletes to reach their full potential, Coach Cappie is respected within the hockey community as a mentor and role model. His talent lies in guiding his players not only in hockey skills but also in character development, emphasizing the importance of integrity, sportsmanship, and perseverance.
Under Coach Cappie's guidance, players not only excel in the game but also grow as individuals, embodying the values of teamwork, discipline, and resilience that are the hallmarks of a true student athlete.
Mark Wanat
Special Teams
Coach Mark is a USA Hockey Level 2 certified hockey coach. Coach Mark has been with the Durant Hockey program as an assistant coach for 4 years during which time the team competed for the State Championship twice.
Along with his experience as a youth hockey coach for the 8 years prior to joining Durant, he brings with him a wealth of knowledge and a clear headed approach to the game.
Coach Mark will focus on special teams.
Ty Murphy
Offense
Coach Ty comes to the Durant team with over 20 years of immersion in hockey. Beginning his journey as an adult player has fueled his coaching approach with a unique perspective. While not at a professional level, his extensive study and hands-on experience have honed his understanding of the game.
Over the past five years, Ty has transitioned into coaching, channeling his passion for the sport into nurturing players' skills, strategic acumen, and encouraging a lifelong love for the sport. His coaching approach focuses on holistic development and fostering growth on and off the ice to create well-rounded athletes and individuals.
Dan Thomas
Defense
Dan Thomas is a Level 2 USA Hockey coach originally from from Buffalo NY with over 30 years of sports experience spanning between youth, high school and college. When he is not working with the Durant program, Coach Dan is also head coach for 12u rec team Surge and assistant coach for defense 12u rec select Bull Sharks at TGH Ice Plex in Brandon.
Coach Dan specializes in defense and positioning and also enjoys playing on several men's league teams. He also plays guitar and is an avid Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres fan.
Mike Ozorowsky
Head Coach JV
Mike Ozorowsky AKA "Coach Oz" brings a wealth of experience to the ice, having started playing hockey at the age of 11. His passion for the sport led him through high school and college where he excelled as a student as well as a hockey player. He stopped playing during his time of service in the Army and was led back to the sport recently. Upon returning to the game as a player, he has seamlessly transitioned into coaching high school hockey.
Drawing from his own life experiences, Coach Oz comes prepared to share his vast knowledge and love for the game with the goal of helping to shape the future of the next generation of players.
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