Our Staff

Coach Kyle is the Owner of the Mountain Summer League as well as a Coach on the staff.

Kyle grew up in Cincinnati area before leaving to play hockey at Shattuck St. Marys in Faribault Minnesota. After Shattuck Kyle played Junior Hockey in the USHL, NAHL & EJHL before playing college hockey at Lawrence University (NCAA DIII).

After playing Kyle dove right into coaching and scouting. He has worked in the AAA hockey ranks as well as the USHL, NAHL & NA3HL and most recently in the ECHL for the Kalamazoo Wings developing players for the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL.

Coach Higgy is one of our Head Coaches for the Mountain Summer League. He also serves as a coach for the VSSA Hockey Program in Vail Colorado. Higgy's experiences and expectations are what inspire our athletes' confidence & eagerness to try new things.

Higgy grew up in the Cincinnati area playing for multiple clubs, including Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets. He graduated from Ohio University in 2022 & 2023, with a Bachelor's of Science in Communication & Master's of Education in Coaching. Higgins played for the Ohio University Bobcats (ACHA Div. 1) team all five years, serving as co-captain for final two years.

Coach RJ is one of our Head Coaches for the Mountain Summer League.

RJ played youth hockey for the Skokie Flyers Hockey Club before joining New Trier Hockey Club, winning two Illinois state championships.

Since moving to the Vail Valley in 2021, RJ gained coaching experience as the on-ice Program Director for the Vail Recreation District Mite Program & as Head Coach for Battle Mountain Huskies JV team. Currently, a Head Coach for the Vail Mountaineers Hockey Club and Mountain Selects.

Coach Trace is one of our coaches for the Mountain Summer League. He grew up in St. Louis playing roller hockey and for the Jr. Blues program. He went on to to play for Endicott College (NCAA DIII) & CU Boulder (ACHA D1).

At CU, he served as the Assistant Captain his Senior year and received his undergraduate degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. He went on to earn a Master’s in Integrative Physiology, while serving as the Assistant Coach for a season before leading as the Head Coach for two seasons.

Coach Trace is excited to bring his knowledge and experience to the staff and to focus on the skills and mental side of the game. He takes pride in teaching players to keep a balanced, focused mindset while pursuing excellence in the details of the game.