Meet the coaches

Following successful coaching roles with the 16U and 18U State College Icers, State College High JV and Middle School Teams, and most recently as an assistant with the 18U Keystone Wild, Hayden will now step in as Head Coach of the 18U team, taking over from Matt Erlichman. A Long Island, NY native, Hayden played AAA hockey with the Long Island Royals before earning a spot at the prestigious Shattuck St. Mary’s in Minnesota. He had the distinct honor of representing the U.S. overseas, returning as a Gold Medalist, and later retired from competitive play due to shoulder injuries before earning a B.S. in Sociology from Penn State.

Hayden’s background as an older sibling has shaped his natural ability to connect with and teach younger players. Known for his passion, high hockey IQ, and commitment to player development, he has become a central figure in the State College hockey community. His approach combines intensive film study and ongoing research, allowing him to find new ways to translate skills and strategies that help players and teams reach their full potential.

Jake Suwan, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native, is currently a student at Penn State University, where he is a member of the Penn State Men’s Club Ice Hockey M3 team. Growing up, Jake played AA hockey, most notably with the Armstrong Arrows, developing a strong foundation in leadership and teamwork.

Beyond playing, Jake has devoted much of his time to coaching youth hockey. He has coached with the former Pittsburgh Vipers and the Pittsburgh Yetis, working with players from 8U through 18U across both B and AA levels. His coaching philosophy emphasizes player development, discipline, and passion for the game.

Julia, a Penn State Class of 2023 alumni, brings a wealth of hockey knowledge and a passion for growing competitive girls hockey in Central Pennsylvania as a new head coach. She aims to provide a competitive, fun, and rewarding environment by focusing on discipline and team-oriented coaching. Julia played as a winger on the Women’s Club Hockey team for four seasons and has since continued to be a friendly face at pickup and adult league games.

Prior to college hockey, Julia was a captain and top goal scorer for her Tier II Reston Raiders 19U Girls team. Playing competitive girls hockey in high school and college was an integral part of her hockey career and she is very excited to give back to the hockey community in State College and help grow the girls’ game. She is committed to cultivating a group of driven players; her philosophy revolves around hard work and dedication in tandem with growing skills, on-ice awareness, and hockey IQ. 

Megan returns for her fourth year as Head Coach of the 14U Keystone Wild team, having led the group to a strong and successful start this season. She brings energy, passion, and a deep love for hockey as she transitions from playing at a high level to coaching local youth athletes. Megan emphasizes skill development and skating, using modern strategies and trends to elevate her players’ performance.

A former four-year defenseman at Saint Anselm College, Megan played 113 NCAA games and tallied 70 points. Her playing background also includes time with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite Tier 1 AAA program, the State College Icers, and her local varsity and middle school teams. In addition to coaching the Wild, she serves on the Penn State Nittany Lion Development Program staff, helping young players grow through small-area games and skill-focused practices, giving back to the programs that shaped her.

Megan returns for her fourth year as Head Coach of the 14U Keystone Wild team, having led the group to a strong and successful start this season. She brings energy, passion, and a deep love for hockey as she transitions from playing at a high level to coaching local youth athletes. Megan emphasizes skill development and skating, using modern strategies and trends to elevate her players’ performance.

A former four-year defenseman at Saint Anselm College, Megan played 113 NCAA games and tallied 70 points. Her playing background also includes time with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite Tier 1 AAA program, the State College Icers, and her local varsity and middle school teams. In addition to coaching the Wild, she serves on the Penn State Nittany Lion Development Program staff, helping young players grow through small-area games and skill-focused practices, giving back to the programs that shaped her.

Jim coached in SCYIHA from 2012-2020, when his son Cam was playing. He has been a head coach at the 10U/12U level and was an assistant at 14U and 16U multiple seasons.

Jim's goals for the kids on his teams have always been, in order:

1. Have fun
2. Learn life lessons about hard work, being part of a team
3. Become a better hockey player
4. Win games

Jim is a strong supporter of USA Hockey’s station-based practice model and has a Level 4 certification.

Davis, a native of State College, PA, brings extensive hockey experience and passion. He began playing with the Altoona Trackers at the Mites level and advanced through elite programs, competing in top events like the Brick Tournament, Quebec Pee-Wee Tournament, and STX 68 (now CCM 68). By age 14, he joined top Tier 1 teams, helping lead them to major successes including a runner-up finish at the Tier 1 National Championships.

He continued his development at Cushing Academy, playing a key role in their Elite 8 Runner-Up campaign. Davis then played two seasons with the Johnstown Tomahawks in the NAHL, earning PA Lottery Player of the Week honors twice. After his junior career, he returned home to pursue his degree.

Bryan started playing hockey when he was 7 after watching the Penguins win back-to-back cups and was obsessed. Bryan played 5 seasons ('04 - '09) for Penn State's roller hockey team (D1 & D3), losing his last playing career game in the national championship. In 2010 he came back as head coach and led PSU to its first and only National Championship.

Bryan teaches at Penn State and is passionate about building teams by growing the bottom. The bottom pushing up pushes the top to be that much better. Bryan has two sons who have played in the organization and lives and breathes hockey. He still plays men's league on as many teams as he can find and wears a different hockey jersey every day.