GENERAL MANAGER - CHRIS TOMMINS

CTOMMINS@SKATEIGLOO.COM

2025-26 Coaches

‍
‍8U Mites Head Coach - Tom Lizzio
10U Partial Head Coach - Justin Nugent
12U Partial Head Coach - Samantha Barcia
16U Head Coach- Brian Santora
‍

About our coaches

16U: Brian Santora
Brian began his hockey career at Philadelphia’s historic Rizzo rink discovering his love for goaltending. Growing up in the Philadelphia area, Brian played for multiple teams in the Philadelphia and Southern NJ region from A to AAA. Brian’s work ethic got him a spot playing juniors in Canada after which he committed to playing at Kutztown University. After college he played in the minors in the FHL before coming home to become a dad. While home, he began coaching goalies at Rutgers University in Camden, jumping head first into the USA hockey coaching program. Brian has been a part of the coaching and instruction programs for almost 15 years with the Atlantic district, even serving as Assistant Goalie Coach in Chief for Eastern PA and Southern NJ. He worked as the Assistant Hockey Director of the Flyers Training Center and was first in line to jump start their girls hockey program. He has coached Middle, high school, and travel teams and is the proud owner and lead instructor of Spartan goaltending academy. Brian’s dedication to growing girls and women’s hockey stems from his admiration for one of his best friends Laura White who rose through the ranks of coed and women’s hockey to become one of the first women to be an AHL referee. Hard work and dedication to the game are the tenets that Brian runs all his programs by, he believes if a player or goalie works hard and truly dedicates themself to the game they can achieve their goals. “Give me 10% more than what you think you have in the tank. You got 80 today? Give me 90. Think you have 100? Give me 110!”. He is a student of the game and will strive to educate and teach each of his players no matter their previous experience.


12U Split: Samantha Barcia
Coach Sam began her hockey journey at the High Ridge Ice Arena, joining the Jaguars at the age of 9. Over the next six seasons, she played on various co-ed teams, including the Jaguars, Flyers Youth, and Highland Rangers. She then shifted her focus to girls' hockey, competing for seven more seasons. Her teams included the Little Flyers U14AAA, Team Comcast U14AAA, Quakers U14AAA, and the Colorado Selects at the U14, U16, and U19AAA levels. From 2008 to 2012, Sam represented her teams at the USA Hockey Nationals. In addition to her playing experience, Sam holds a USA Hockey Level 4 USA Coaching Certification. She served as the Assistant Coach for the Ed Snider U19AA girls' hockey team for five years. After taking a three-year hiatus from coaching to dedicate time to motherhood and raising her daughter, Sam is eager to return to the rink and contribute to the growth of girls' youth hockey in the South Jersey region.

10U: Justin Nugent
Coach Justin has been skating since the age of 3 and grew up playing youth hockey locally for the Jr. Phantoms and the Jaguars. He then went on to play Juniors where he spent three seasons playing for the Philadelphia Little Flyers of the MJHL. In 86 career games he totaled 74 goals and 77 assists for a career 151 points and was a two time MJHL All-star. Coach Justin continued his hockey career playing at the collegiate level for Bryn Athyn where his offensive presence helped the Lions win the DVCHC National Division Championship. Justin began his coaching career on the dek, where his daughter Faith started to play.  She quickly fell in love with the game, like he did, and moved on to the ice.  Justin is level 1 USA Hockey certified and has been an assistant coach for the 8u and 10u Princeton Tiger Lillies teams. Coach Justin is committed to helping to grow the girls game.  He uses his vast experience as a player to help educate young athletes and to set goals that will ultimately lead to their growth and development.

8U: Tomm Lizzio
A lifelong hockey player, Coach Tom Lizzio started young with street hockey before progressing to roller and ice hockey as he got older. He has competed at a national level in roller hockey, served as a captain for Lenape High School’s ice hockey team, and played AA ice hockey with our home club Jaguars until he was 18. In college, he continued his passion for the game as a club hockey player at the University of Delaware and remains active in men's leagues today. Tom’s coaching experience is primarily with young athletes, having coached the Marlton street hockey Chipmunk division and assisting with the Learn to Play program here at the Igloo. His coaching philosophy focuses on skill development, teamwork, and fostering a love for the game in a fun and supportive environment. With a background as a physical therapist, Coach Tom emphasizes proper movement mechanics, injury prevention, and overall athletic development. He is eager to bring his experience and enthusiasm to the Monarchs and help his players grow both on and off the ice.