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Meet the Coaches

Meet the dedicated coaches who lead and mentor the Newsome High School Ice Hockey Team. They bring a wealth of experience and passion to the rink, shaping our players into strong competitors and skilled athletes.

Coach Gene Wright.png

Director of Hockey Operations and Coach

Throughout his 25-year Coast Guard career, Coach Gene has called many places home—including MN, TX, CA, and CT—but Florida has always been home. Rising to the prestigious rank of E9, his military service includes multiple command positions where he specialized in leadership development and training. He brings 15 years of diverse coaching experience across baseball, football, and his personal favorite, ice hockey. Fun Fact: he discovered hockey later in life when his son began playing, and he now participates in a local beer league.

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Credentials

  • USA Hockey CEP Level 4 Certification

  • Bachelor's Degree in Business Management

  • Currently pursuing his Master's in Business Administration.

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​Coaching Philosophy: Building endurance and determination as foundations for success.

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"The legs feed the wolf!" - Herb Brooks

Mark Rosengard.png

Assistant Director of
Hockey Operations and Coach

Coach Mark's 32-year Army career in Special Forces took him around the world, where he continued to pursue his passion for hockey wherever he was stationed. His military background infuses his coaching with strategic thinking and disciplined leadership. With 60 years of hockey experience as both player and coach, he has mentored youth and adult teams across the United States and internationally. Fun Fact: he found ice rinks to skate on in most countries he was deployed to!​

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​Credentials

  • USA Hockey CEP Level 4 Certification

  • BA in Electrical Engineering from Tufts University, where he also played college hockey 

  • Extensive playing experience spanning decades

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Coaching Philosophy: Discipline, precision, and continuous improvement drive every training session.

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"SMACK yourself. Then enter the O-Zone wide, count to 3, and make a triangle." - Coach Mark

Mike Kelly.png

Coach

A Pennsylvania native from Doylestown who relocated to Tampa in 2022, he brings nearly 10 years of diverse coaching experience spanning multiple levels of competition. His own playing career includes 12 years of youth hockey at travel, middle school, and high school levels.

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Credentials

  • USA Hockey CEP Level 4 Certification

  • University of Florida (Master's Degree)

  • Temple University (Undergraduate Degree)

  • Coaching at multiple levels:

    • Philadelphia Revolution (Peewee 12U A and Bantam AA)

    • Central Bucks East High School (MS AAA and HS AA)

    • St. Joseph's Prep (Varsity)

    • University of Florida

    • Newsome Wolverines/ Wolves High School

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Coaching Philosophy:

Building self-confidence in every player.

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"If a kid leaves a team of mine not believing in themselves, I have failed as a coach."

- Coach Kelly

Asa Cabbage.png

Coach

A lifelong Floridian with deep roots in the Tampa Bay hockey community, this University of South Florida graduate brings passion and academic insight to coaching. He's a dedicated educator and coach committed to build and develop young players into top tier athletes.

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Credentials

  • USA Hockey CEP Level 5 Certification

  • Master's Degree and two Bachelor's Degrees from University of South Florida

  • Hillsborough County Public School Teacher and HCC Adjunct Instructor

  • Coached with Tampa Bay Bulls and Newsome Wolves Hockey Program

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Coaching Philosophy:

Inspired by Angela Duckworth's book, "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance."

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"Hard work beats talent when talent refuses to work hard."

- Coach Asa

Brock Hoffman.png

Coach

A Tampa native with 21 years of hockey experience, he has competed at the highest levels of youth hockey, including U18 AAA and collegiate play. His recent transition to coaching builds on his extensive playing career and academic background in law and criminology.

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Credentials

  • USA Hockey CEP Level 2 Certification 

  • University of South Florida graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminology with Pre-Law concentration.​

  • Coach for Newsome Wolverines and Bull Sharks Rec Select Team

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Coaching Philosophy: Achievement comes through dedicated effort and consistent work.

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"It's not what you wish for,

it's what you work for."

- Coach Brock

Bobby Flaherty.png

Coach

Growing up in Rochester, NY, he started skating at three and began organized hockey at four. He played in AA and AAA programs, then 4 yrs of varsity for Penfield High School, where he was Alternate Captain senior year. Later he rostered with both Division 1 & 3 club hockey teams at Niagara University.

Fun Fact: his dad built outdoor rinks in their backyard so he could skate every winter.

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Credentials

  • USA Hockey CEP Level 1 Certification

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish Education and Special Education from Niagara University

  • Spanish teacher at Spoto High School for three years

  • Current Spanish 1 & 2 teacher at Newsome High School

  • 2025 First Season coaching with Newsome Hockey

 

Coaching Philosophy:


“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

– Tim Notke

© 2025 by Newsome Ice Wolves Booster Association

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