Staff & Coaches

Brianne McLaughlin-Bittle — Director

An Elyria, Ohio native, Brianne came up through local boys hockey programs before starring in goal at Robert Morris University, where she earned All-CHA honors and set an NCAA saves record that stood from 2008 to 2015. She represented Team USA at two Olympic Games — winning silver in 2010 and 2014 — and captured World Championship gold in 2011 and 2013. As a pro, she won the Isobel Cup with the Buffalo Beauts. Brianne later became the first female coach in men's Division I hockey at RMU and now leads the Flames as Director. Contact: director@cleflames.com

Shannon Szabados — Director of Goaltending + Girls Programs

One of the most decorated goaltenders in hockey history, Shannon is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2010, 2014) and 2018 silver medalist for Canada, earning Top Goaltender honors at two Olympic Games. She was named IIHF Goaltender of the Decade (2010–2020) and is the only netminder in women's hockey history to backstop her nation to two Olympic gold medals. After Sochi, she made history with the SPHL's Columbus Cottonmouths as the first woman to record a shutout in a men's professional league.

Charlie Cook — Director of Hockey Development

A Port Huron, Michigan native, Charlie played NCAA Division I hockey at Cornell University before signing with the AHL's Philadelphia Phantoms and building a 10-year professional career across the AHL, ECHL, and top leagues in Finland, Germany, and Sweden. A confidence-first coach, his motto is simple: "Trust your training!" Charlie also coaches the Flames' 10U Field/Cook team.

Russ Sinkewich — Founder, Ohio Hockey Project

Born and raised in Westlake, Ohio, Russ has played at every level Cleveland hockey offers — AAA with the Cleveland Americans, St. Edward High School, NCAA Division I at Bowling Green, and professionally with the Cleveland Monsters. The founder of Ohio Hockey Project, Russ brings nearly two decades of player development experience, along with roles as a CSHL board member and USHL scout.

10U Bernard — Lauren Bernard, Head Coach

Lauren is a member of the inaugural Cleveland Flames coaching staff and a familiar face across Ohio Hockey Project programming, where she coaches girls camps, development programs, and goaltending sessions throughout the year. As head coach of the Flames' 10U team, she is focused on building skills, confidence, and a love of the game in the program's youngest travel players.

10U Field/Cook — Matt Field, Head Coach

A Cleveland native, Matt began playing hockey at age four and developed through the local system, including AAA hockey with the Cleveland Barons. He went on to play Junior A in the NAHL and competed at the Division I level at West Point. After college, Matt served five years in the U.S. Army as a Field Artillery Officer, including two tours in Iraq — an experience that shaped his leadership and approach to coaching. With over 15 years of coaching experience at the high school, bantam, and mite levels, Matt is focused on building a positive, competitive environment where players develop their skills, play the game the right way, and grow their love for hockey. He emphasizes three core values: work hard, have fun, and be a great teammate. Matt coaches the 10U Field/Cook team alongside Charlie Cook (see Leadership above).

12U — Dan Jech, Head Coach

Dan grew up playing for the Cleveland Barons before suiting up for St. Edward High School. He finished his playing career at Youngstown State (D1 ACHA) as the program's all-time leading goal scorer. Coaching since 2013, Dan has been a head coach at levels from 10U to ACHA and serves as the Wooster Youth Hockey ACE Coordinator, overseeing all coaches and coaching development in that program. He's looking forward to helping Flames players reach their goals of getting to the next level.

12U — Emily Busta, Coach

Emily grew up playing hockey in the Akron-Canton area, developing through the Ohio Flames AAA program before continuing her career at SUNY Cortland at the NCAA Division III level. She has coached with the Lady Barons, Wooster Youth Hockey, and Gilmour programs, focusing on skill development and building a positive team environment. Emily is excited to help grow the game and support player development across all levels of the Flames organization.

12U — Shane Bennett, Coach

Shane is a member of the inaugural Cleveland Flames coaching staff and an active part of the Ohio Hockey Project community, where he also helps lead OHP's summer roller hockey programming. As an assistant coach with the 12U team, he brings energy and a competitive edge to every practice and game.

14U French/Reffert — Mindy French, Head Coach

A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Mindy began playing hockey at age eight in the Mississauga Chiefs organization, later playing for the Lady Coyotes in Phoenix and college hockey at North Country Community College in Lake Placid, NY. She began her career as a youth hockey director in Arizona, where she also worked with Special Olympics athletes — an experience that shaped her coaching philosophy. With over 15 years of coaching experience from mite through Tier 1 and Tier 2 — including the Phoenix Polar Bears, Pittsburgh Vipers, Phoenix Jr. Lady Coyotes, Arizona Kachinas, and Cleveland Lady Barons — Mindy believes hockey teaches players to work as a team, support each other win or lose, and build confidence that carries far beyond the rink.

14U French/Reffert — Ian Reffert, Co-Head Coach

Ian is co-head coach of the Flames' 14U French/Reffert team and a member of the inaugural Cleveland Flames coaching staff, committed to developing complete players and competing with the top girls programs in the country.

14U Toole/Glavan — Alayna Toole, Head Coach

Alayna grew up in Norwood, Massachusetts, playing youth hockey for the Norwood Nuggets before moving to Rocky River, Ohio, where she played for the Rocky River Pirates and later the Washington Capitals Academy in Washington, D.C. After transitioning to girls hockey with the U14 Cleveland Lady Barons, she was selected for the 2018 USA Hockey Player Development Camp. Alayna played prep hockey at Gilmour Academy (U16/U19), serving as assistant captain and reaching the Elite 8 at USA Hockey Nationals in 2022. From 2022–2026 she played at Elmira College, where she captained the team for three seasons, won three conference championships, and led the Soaring Eagles to three NCAA Tournament appearances — including an NCAA championship game.

14U Toole/Glavan — Lindsay Glavan, Coach

A former NCAA Division I player at Mercyhurst University (2001–2005), Lindsay posted 63 points in 139 games and served as assistant captain in her junior and senior seasons, winning four straight conference championships and helping the Lakers make their NCAA Tournament debut in 2005. She coached the Garfield Heights Bulldogs from 2022 to 2026, founding and coaching a U12/U14 girls team and developing players who went on to join the Cleveland Flames and Gilmour's elite programs. Under her leadership, Garfield Heights hosted MidAm girls hockey events, Girls Try Hockey For Free days, and a Grow the Game event with the Cleveland Monsters. Her goal as a Flames coach: inspire players to accept themselves, expect more of themselves, and learn what it takes to be a competitive athlete.