A Worldwide Initiative: 12 Coaches from Abroad Participate in USA Hockey’s Boys 15 National Camp

AMHERST, N.Y. — The 2026 USA Hockey Boys National 15 Player Development Camp features some of the finest young players, coaches, and officials from across the United States.

With more than 200 athletes and nearly 100 staff members present at the Northtown Center and Daemen University, participants engage, connect, and learn from individuals with diverse backgrounds from all parts of the nation.

This year, a distinguished group of 12 coaches elevated this experience significantly.

The program is founded on the principle that hockey expertise should transcend national boundaries, and USA Hockey stands to gain as much from this exchange as the visiting coaches do.

In collaboration with the International Ice Hockey Federation and various international organizations, USA Hockey selected and invited this group from countries worldwide, including Austria, China, Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, New Zealand, Poland, Slovenia, South Korea, and Spain.

Chosen by the IIHF and USA Hockey as some of the most promising young hockey minds globally, the aim of the international coach program is to enhance their understanding of the game, which they can then bring back to their home nations to implement changes based on USA Hockey’s American Development Model (ADM) principles. Furthermore, the program enriches USA Hockey and American coaches, who benefit from the insights gained while collaborating with international coaches.

"Having these coaches come and immerse themselves in this camp fosters a valuable exchange of knowledge and reinforces the principles of USA Hockey and our beliefs," stated Dan Jablonic, a manager of player development for USA Hockey and a leader of the coach exchange program. "It enhances the overall hockey experience on a global scale."

During the camp, each coach was assigned to one of the 12 camp teams and collaborated with American coaches for each group throughout the week. Alongside the camp activities, the international coaches participated in several excursions, including a tour of the Buffalo Sabres facilities and a visit to Niagara Falls.

Villem-Henrik Koitmaa, currently the head coach of Estonia’s women’s national team and the goalie coach for HC Panter in the Latvian Hockey Higher League, was part of the international coaches group and expressed his enthusiasm about his experience at camp.

"USA Hockey has wonderful people here with extensive knowledge. The presentations alone are invaluable," remarked Koitmaa. "The coaching staff I’ve worked with this week, including Leon Hayward and Nick Tomczyk, have been incredibly welcoming, and it has been fantastic collaborating with them."

A.J. Spiller, who has been involved with Ice Hockey New Zealand and Auckland Ice Hockey since relocating to New Zealand from Canada in 2015, was also part of the program. Spiller currently holds the position of head coach for the New Zealand men’s national team and serves as the director of development for Ice Hockey New Zealand.

Similar to Koitmaa, Spiller’s week began with acclimating to his new team.

"I thoroughly enjoyed being part of Team White. The staff were exceptional to collaborate with and learn from, and our athletes were equally impressive," he stated. "They are all outstanding individuals, and I hope they have fulfilling hockey experiences and careers ahead of them."

USA Hockey and Ice Hockey New Zealand share a long-standing partnership, and Spiller has recognized its positive impact.

"The collaboration between New Zealand and USA Hockey has been remarkable," he noted. "USA Hockey goes above and beyond in the support and expertise they provide."

In a similar spirit, the 12 international coaches at the camp each contributed significantly in their respective roles throughout the week, leaving a lasting impression on their fellow staff and the players.

"It’s been incredible for both sides, for these coaches and the players at camp," Jablonic remarked. "They all added immense value to this camp. I had numerous discussions with other coaches who appreciated this group’s presence and praised how much they assisted the players and coaches throughout the week."

For both Koitmaa and Spiller, a highlight of their experience was forming connections with other coaches from the U.S. and around the globe, along with the discussions and knowledge sharing that accompanied it.

"Working in ice hockey connects all these individuals and fosters amazing relationships and discussions," Koitmaa stated. "The relationships established here will be highly beneficial. The exchange of information is exceptional."

Spiller added, "Learning from and connecting with other coaches and staff from a wide range of backgrounds was a highlight of the camp for me."

Despite its status as a globally recognized leader in the sport, USA Hockey approached this program with a mindset akin to that of the 12 participating coaches: humble, open-minded, and eager to learn.

"This exemplifies what leadership looks like on the world stage," Jablonic remarked. "In this sport, we experience humility every day." He further stated, "As USA Hockey, how do we continue to adapt and enhance?"

Koitmaa concurred, saying, "One aspect I admire about USA Hockey is that they not only pursue their own path but are also open-minded and learn from other nations as well."

For Spiller, this notion is a fundamental reason for the existence of the international coaching program and its significance for the overall advancement of the game.

"The international coaching program is vital because we all have something to learn from one another, regardless of size, location, or experience. I gained a lot from the other international coaches," Spiller explained. "The diverse backgrounds that provide varying levels of experience, along with strengths and weaknesses, create a well-rounded perspective of our sport. I believe this can only assist everyone involved in making our sport the best it can be on a global scale."

Both Spiller and Koitmaa acknowledge that, despite feeling they acquired substantial knowledge during their experience, that knowledge will only be valuable if they can effectively apply it upon returning home.

"What stands out the most is that I believe ice hockey in New Zealand is on a very positive trajectory, and I’ve received affirmations from this program utilizing many ideas we have implemented over the past few years," Spiller remarked. "There are always new lessons to learn with every hockey experience, and I plan to take some time to reflect on what we can adjust and implement moving forward."

Koitmaa added, "Returning to Estonia, the key focus is not just what I know, but how to apply what I learned here. It’s about putting all that information into action."

The program spans two years for these coaches, and many will have the chance to return to a USA Hockey Player Development Camp next summer. For some, the experience was so remarkable that they may not require much persuasion.

Koitmaa remarked, "It has been truly amazing. If this were offered as a vacation, I would prefer this over lying on the beach; I’d much rather engage in self-education and meet new individuals from diverse backgrounds. I firmly believe that education is not solely found in schools but also through travel, meeting people from different cultures, and collaborating on something that unites us."

For Koitmaa, Spiller, and the rest of the group, that mindset is precisely why they made such a significant impact on the other attendees at the camp: ready to continue learning and teaching.