Hockey Instructors

Andy Gibson

Andy is an Assistant Hockey Coordinator at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.

Andy Gibson comes to Kettler as a newly Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Cameroon. Andy served as a Youth Development Coordinator. Prior to his service, Andy received his Bachelors of Arts Degree from James Madison University where he studied both English literature and Non-profit management. Andy served the student population as Vice President of Administrative Affairs/Student Body President. Andy spent his youth playing hockey in Charlotte, North Carolina. Andy played for the Charlotte Jr. Checkers and Team Carolina. Andy went on to play at Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan where he led his team to a Michigan High School State Championship. Andy currently lives in Fairfax, VA.

Jimmy Day

Jimmy is available for private/small group lessons

Andrew Higgins

Andrew Higgins grew up playing with the Washington Junior Nationals of the Atlantic Junior Hockey League. He then attended Towson University where he played one season of Division I-club hockey for the Towson Tigers earning a spot on the league’s all-star team. After one season he turned his focus towards coaching. He began at Kettler in the spring of 2008. Currently he is a private lesson and camp/clinic instructor for the Capitals Academy. In addition to coaching at Kettler, Andrew enjoyed his time as an assistant coach for the Washington Junior Nationals during the 2009-10 hockey season.  

Ben Kwon

Ben is available for private/small group lessons.

Doug Plocki

Doug Plocki is a Pittsburgh native who grew up playing for the North Hills Amateur Hockey Association (now the Pittsburgh Vipers) and for the Pine Richland High School varsity team. His coaching background dates back to the mid-1990s when he was with the State College Youth Ice Hockey Association as head coach at the pee wee minor and major levels. He then served as junior varsity head coach at his high school alma mater while working as a goalie coach with the Pittsburgh Stars Tier I youth hockey program. Plocki began coaching at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex in 2007 working with the mite house and select teams, and the Tier-1 Development Camp summer programs. He joined the Washington Little Capitals as an assistant coach in 2009, and currently serves as the assistant coach for the DC Capitals U16 National Team.

Patrick Salkind

Patrick Salkind is a local goalie who has committed to the NCAA Division III school Nichols College. He grew up playing in Prince William and Ashburn, and went to Kimball Union Prep for his high school career. After high school, Patrick went on to play Jr. A hockey for the Washington Jr. Nationals, as well as the Portland Jr. Pirates. Additionally, Patrick has been coaching for four years, and has worked with Nashville Predators goalie coach Mitch Korn, and local goalie coach Jason Wolfe. Patrick will be around the rink all summer making sure that the Kettler goalies have the tools they need to succeed at higher levels.

Patrick is available for private/small group lessons.