Program announces 2026-27 head coaches

February 19, 2026

The Ohio Blue Jackets have announced its head coaching lineup for the 2026-27 season. The experienced, professional staff includes veteran coaches with experience at all levels. 

“We’re excited to have such an experienced and accomplished staff leading our teams again next season,” said President Ed Gingher. “Our program has always been built around the quality of our people. This group represents strong character, professionalism, and a deep commitment to the daily work of development. They are dedicated to teaching, mentoring, and pushing our players to grow both on and off the ice. With the connections and experience they bring, our staff is also well positioned to help guide our athletes toward opportunities at the next level.”

18U (2008/09) - Brian Thompson
Brian Thompson enters his first season as a head coach in the program after serving as an assistant coach with the 18U team this past season, helping lead the group to a T1EHL Playoff Championship. In that role, he oversaw the team’s power play, led on-ice skills and player development sessions, and played a key role in game planning and video preparation. A Westerville native, Thompson brings extensive junior coaching experience to the position. He previously served as Assistant Coach and Scouting Director for the Columbus Mavericks (USPHL), helping build the program from the ground up while contributing to the first playoff series win and highest win total in team history. He later served as Head Coach and General Manager of the Buffalo Stampede (USPHL), overseeing all aspects of the organization including scouting, recruiting, player development, budgeting, and daily team operations.

As a player, Thompson was a member of the University of Central Oklahoma’s inaugural ACHA Division I class, where he served as an assistant captain all four seasons and helped lead the team to a national tournament Final Four appearance. At the junior level, he earned All-Star honors and served as team captain for the Columbus Stars in the Central States Hockey League, following a standout high school career as a captain at Westerville.

16U (2010) - Josh Harrold
Josh Harrold enters his third season as a head coach in the program and his second straight season leading the 16U team. Prior to joining OBJ, he spent five seasons as a head coach with the Cleveland Barons at the 15O and 16U levels. A native of Kirtland Hills, Ohio, Harrold brings extensive coaching experience, including time as an assistant coach with the USHL’s Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets (2006–08). He has also coached at the professional level with the Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL) and at the junior level in the NAHL with the Cleveland Barons and Alpena IceDiggers. His experience and extensive connections to coaches, scouts and advisors provide a valuable guidance for players advancing to the next level.

Harrold enjoyed a standout Division I playing career at Miami University before signing his first professional contract with the Dayton Bombers (ECHL), where current OBJ President Ed Gingher served as general manager. He went on to play six professional seasons, appearing in more than 300 games across the AHL, IHL, and ECHL. During his junior career, Harrold was named the NAHL Defenseman of the Year in 1994–95 and earned First Team All-Star honors, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier defensemen.

16U Girls (2010/11) - Kerry Bowman
Kerry Bowman enters his fifth season as the program’s Girls Hockey Director, continuing to drive the growth, culture, and competitive success of girls hockey within the organization. Under his leadership, the program reached a historic milestone last season with its first team advancing to the national tournament — a testament to the foundation he has helped build. In 2026–27, Bowman will once again serve as Head Coach of the 16U Girls team. Bowman brings a well-rounded background as a player, coach, and educator. Prior to arriving in Columbus, he served as head coach of the Washington Pride in the Junior Women’s Hockey League (JWHL) at the 19U and 16U levels from 2018–20. Before that, he led the AAA Sun County Panthers in the Ontario Hockey Federation from 2011–17, coaching at the 12U–15U levels while also working full-time as a French educator for students in grades 3–8. He has also been a lead instructor with CAN/AM Hockey since 2001, further demonstrating his long-standing commitment to skill development and mentorship.

As a player, Bowman competed at the Division I level at Mercyhurst College, helping guide the Lakers to an Atlantic Hockey Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2005. A two-time Atlantic Hockey Scholar-Athlete, he served as team captain and earned the Bill Smith Memorial Senior Award in 2008. After graduating with a degree in sports medicine, Bowman went on to play two professional seasons with the IHL’s Port Huron Icehawks.

15O (2011) - Nate Handrahan
After two championship seasons leading the 18U team, Nate Handrahan transitions to guide the talented 2011 birth year at the 15O level in 2026–27. Under Handrahan’s leadership, the 18U squad captured its second T1EHL Playoff Championship this season, one year after winning the Mid-Am District Championship and advancing to the national semifinals in a historic postseason run. Handrahan brings more than 25 years of experience at the elite levels of hockey. His collegiate coaching resume spans 14 seasons at the Division I level, including assistant coaching stops at Niagara University (2001–2004) and Robert Morris University (2004–2006). He went on to serve nine seasons as a head coach at the Division I level, leading the women’s programs at Robert Morris (2006–2011) and Ohio State (2011–2015). From 2020–2023, Handrahan served as Head Coach and General Manager of the Columbus Mavericks (USPHL), overseeing all aspects of the junior program. In addition to his team coaching responsibilities, Handrahan is the owner and head coach of Hammer Hockey Development, where he focuses on skill development and hockey sense training for committed players striving to reach their full potential.

As a player, Handrahan was a standout defenseman and assistant captain at Niagara University (DI), earning two-time all-league honors and helping lead the Purple Eagles to two playoff championships during his four-year career. He went on to play professionally with the Roanoke Express (ECHL).

14U (2012) - Nick Petraglia
Nick Petraglia enters his seventh season in the program and second as head coach of the 2012 birth year team, which will compete the 14U level. In addition to his coaching duties, Petraglia serves as the organization’s Executive Vice President, working with all teams and coaches across the program. Prior to moving to Columbus, Petraglia spent 20 years at Miami University as a student-athlete, coach, and administrator. As a coach, he helped lead the RedHawks to five conference championships, 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, and two Frozen Four berths. During his tenure, he recruited and/or coached more than 20 players who advanced to the NHL, 12 All-Americans, 32 all-conference selections, three conference players of the year, a Hobey Baker Award winner, and an Olympic captain. He is also heavily involved with USA Hockey, coaching at national development camps and assisting in the evaluation and selection process for teams competing in the National Team Development Program, Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and Five Nations tournaments. In 2025, Petraglia served as an assistant coach for Team USA’s U17 team, helping guide the group to a silver medal at the Four Nations tournament.

A native of Faribault, Minnesota, Petraglia was a part of group that helped lead Shattuck-St. Mary’s to national prominence and was in goal for the program’s first USA Hockey National Championship in 1999. He went on to play at Miami University, where he posted a .902 career save percentage and a 2.21 goals-against average from 2000–04, helping the RedHawks qualify for the NCAA Tournament as a senior.

14U Girls (2013/14) - Gino Ori
Gino Ori enters his third season as a coach in the program and will return as head coach after serving as an assistant for the 12U Girls last season, during which the team won the New Year Challenge Cup in Ontario. In 2023–24, Ori served as head coach for the 12U Girls in its inaugural season with the program, helping establish a strong foundation for the team and fostering a positive, competitive environment for young athletes. He has been instrumental in the growth of girls hockey in Central Ohio in recent years,. From 2018–2022, Ori was a head coach at EYHA and coached with the Central Ohio Girls Hockey program. In 2022–23, he led the EYHA Lady Dragons to a championship at the Silver Stick Tournament in St. Clair Shores, MI, and a runner-up finish in the International Silver Stick in Toronto.

A native of Niles, IL, Ori grew up playing AA hockey in the Chicago area. He continued his hockey career at Miami University in Oxford, OH, where he played four seasons for the club team, helping lead the team to the ACHA National Championship during his sophomore year.

13O (2013) - Todd Ehrie
Todd Ehrie returns for his 18th season with the Ohio Blue Jackets program and his second consecutive season coaching the 2013 birth year. He guided the team to a remarkable 45-13-4 record in 2025-26, capturing two tournament championships. Previously, Ehrie led the 2012 team to a 78-47-5 record over two seasons, including a 6-1 showing at the prestigious Quebec International Pee-Wee Tournament where he also coached the 2001 birth year to a championship in 2014.

With more than 30 years of coaching experience, Ehrie has been a cornerstone of player development within the program and across the Columbus hockey community. He has coached nearly every player in the program at some point, including the 1997 team featuring future NHL players Jack Roslovic, Kole Sherwood, and Carson Meyer. Ehrie has served in multiple roles throughout the program, including assistant coach at the 15O, 16U, and 18U levels, as well as head coach of the 2006 15O team. His focus on developing players both on and off the ice has had a lasting impact on generations of OBJ student-athletes.

12U (2014) - James Nash
James Nash will enter his 11th season coaching in the program and his eighth season as a head coach. He brings more than 16 years of coaching experience, including extensive time as a professional skills coach working with elite players of all ages. This season, he has led the 2014 birth year through a successful campaign, highlighted by a 2nd place finish at the Jr. Canadiens Cup and a championship this past weekend at the Mission MLK tournament in Chicago.

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

12U Girls (2014/15) - Michael Darr
Michael Darr enters his fourth season as a head coach in the program. During the 2024–25 season, Darr helped make program history by leading the 14U Girls team to a Mid-Am District Championship and a berth in the USA Hockey National Tournament—both first-time achievements since the girls program was reintroduced in 2022–23. A key figure in the growth of girls hockey in Central Ohio, Darr also led the 12U Girls team during its inaugural season in 2023–24.

Darr brings 20 years of coaching experience to the program. Prior to his work with the Ohio Blue Jackets, he spent six seasons with Central Ohio Girls Hockey, helping develop the organization from entry-level developmental programs to elite spring and summer training camps. Additionally, Darr played a significant role in expanding the EYHA Lady Dragons program from a single team to six teams across the 8U, 10U Select, 12U Select, 12U Elite, and 14U Tier II levels. During his time with the Lady Dragons, he served as both a head coach and assistant coach, contributing to sustained growth in player development throughout the program.

11U (2015) - Dale Jordan
Dale Jordan enters his 21st season with the program and will serve as the head coach at the 11U level. The 2026–27 season will mark his second season leading the 2015 birth year, after guiding the group through a successful year of growth and development in their inaugural season with the program. Jordan brings more than two decades of coaching experience at multiple levels and has served as a head coach within the program since 2007. Prior to joining the AAA Blue Jackets, he was the varsity head coach at St. Charles High School for five seasons from 2002–06, while also coaching multiple Bantam and Pee Wee AA travel teams with CCYHA.

In his role as the program’s Hockey Director, Jordan assists with administrative oversight and manages teams across the 10U–14U age groups. In addition to his team coaching responsibilities, Jordan works as a private hockey instructor and helps manage the program’s camps, clinics, and on-ice skills training sessions. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he played his junior hockey with the Columbus Crush and has experience at both the Junior A and Junior B levels.

10U (2016) - Brandon Dubinsky
Brandon Dubinsky enters his first season as a head coach with the Ohio Blue Jackets, after serving as the head coach of the 2016 Battery team this past season. A native of Anchorage, Alaska, Dubinsky was selected by the New York Rangers in the second round (No. 60 overall) of the 2004 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut on March 8, 2007, against the New York Islanders. After six seasons with the Rangers, Dubinsky was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2012. During his time in Columbus, Dubinsky quickly became a fan favorite and served as an alternate captain, known for his leadership, competitiveness, and work ethic. He concluded his NHL career during the 2018–19 season, appearing in nearly 900 games at the NHL level. Additionally, he represented the United States on two occasions at the IIHF World Championships as well as the 2017 World Cup.

Dubinsky bringing a wealth of playing experience, leadership, and hockey knowledge to the Ohio Blue Jackets organization.

Tryouts for the 2026-27 season will be held between Monday, April 6-Sunday, April 12. To learn more, visit our boys tryouts and girls tryouts pages. Assistant coaches for all teams will be named after tryouts. If you are interested in applying for an assistant coaching position within the organization, please email us at info@aaabluejackets.com.

The Ohio Blue Jackets program prides itself on being the premier youth hockey program in Ohio. With an every day mission to develop our student-athletes to reach their potential on and off of the ice, the program aims to provide a healthy and safe environment for the elite player to grow as a player, person and teammate through the great game of hockey.