Coaches & Staff
Building Players, Building Character
EDA Staff
Corinne DeMizio | Lead Educator
Corinne DeMizio brings a high-performance approach to academic development, combining over a decade of educational experience with a deep specialization in literacy and individualized instruction. She holds a Master’s degree in Literacy Instruction, along with reading specialist and supervisor certifications, positioning her as a key resource in supporting EDA athletes at an elite academic level.
Her experience as an academic interventionist centers on precision-based instruction: identifying gaps, implementing targeted strategies, and building strong academic foundations that translate into long-term success. DeMizio's work is driven by accountability, consistency, and measurable growth, ensuring each athlete is equipped to perform in demanding academic environments.
In her role as an adjunct professor, DeMizio works closely with college students to refine critical thinking, executive functioning, and time management skills. She has extensive experience supporting student-athletes, helping them navigate the expectations of high-level competition while maintaining excellence in the classroom. Her approach emphasizes discipline, structure, and communication; core pillars of both academic and athletic success.
At Essentials Development Academy, Corinne DeMizio is committed to developing disciplined, confident, and capable individuals who are prepared to excel in all aspects of life. Her impact extends beyond academics; instilling habits and standards that drive performance at every level.
Corinne currently resides in Freehold, NJ with her husband and two daughters.
Anthony Perdicaro | Coach
Anthony Perdicaro is a dedicated hockey coach and former professional hockey player from East Rockaway, New York. As a player, Perdicaro competed in multiple professional leagues across North America, including stops with the Rapid City Rush (CHL) and Las Vegas Wranglers (ECHL), bringing grit, skill, and leadership to every lineup he joined.
Before turning to coaching, Perdicaro developed his game through major junior hockey in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), where he earned a championship with the Penticton Vees and received an invitation to the New York Islanders’ summer prospect camp, an experience that helped shape his understanding of high‑level competition.
In his coaching, Perdicaro emphasizes skill development, work ethic, and game IQ, helping young athletes grow their abilities while maintaining a competitive and supportive team culture. His firsthand experience at the professional and junior levels gives his players valuable insight into what it takes to compete and succeed both on and off the ice.
Anthony resides in Florida where he continues to implement structure and development for hockey players of all age levels.
Mark Lotito | COACH
Mark Lotito is a passionate and experienced youth hockey coach with deep roots in the Northeast hockey community. He currently serves as Head Coach of the Midget 18U team with the Woodbridge Wolfpack Hockey Club, bringing strong leadership and a proven commitment to player development at one of the region’s competitive programs. Lotito has coached at multiple age levels and is known for his ability to build structured, disciplined, and competitive teams.
Before joining the Wolfpack, Lotito was involved in Tier I youth hockey in the New Jersey area, including serving as a head coach for the North Jersey Avalanche 18U program, where his teams competed at the USA Hockey Youth Tier I National Championships and earned Atlantic District titles. His coaching experience spans many years working with players as they progress through key stages of their development.
During his career, Lotito also served as the President of Hockey Operations for the Chicago Steel from 2015 until 2020, where he was an integral part of 2 Clark Cup Championships and helped players the like of Owen Power, Brendan Brisson, and Nick Abruzzesse to name a few, propel their hockey careers to the next level.
Lotito’s coaching approach emphasizes strong skating, hockey IQ, positional play, helping athletes refine their skills while fostering a positive and competitive team culture.
Lotito resides in Staten Island and continues to support and mentor young hockey players as they pursue success on and off the ice.
VINNY SMITH | Coach
Vinny Smith is a highly respected hockey coach based on Long Island, currently serving as Head Coach of the Midget 16U AAA team with the Woodbridge Wolfpack Hockey Club. Known for his ability to develop elite talent and build disciplined, competitive teams, Smith brings decades of experience and a proven track record to one of the region’s top youth programs.
Throughout his coaching career, Smith has led teams to success at the highest levels of youth hockey, including guiding the Long Island Gulls to the USA Hockey Tier I 16U National Championship in 2023. His teams are recognized for their structure, competitiveness, and strong team culture, consistently preparing players to advance to junior, collegiate, and professional hockey.
Prior in his career, Smith served as Vice President of Hockey Operations for the Chicago Steel (USHL), contributing to player development and organizational strategy at one of the country’s premier junior programs. During his years in Chicago, Smith was also an important part of the two championship winning teams that helped develop players such as Matt Coronato, Ryan Ufko and Sean Farrell among many others. His coaching philosophy emphasizes skill development, hockey IQ, mental toughness, and character, ensuring his players excel both on and off the ice.
Smith lives on Long Island and is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of hockey players both on and off the ice.
JULIAN KISLIN | Coach
Julian Kislin is a dedicated hockey coach and former professional defenseman from Manalapan, New Jersey. Kislin developed his game through high‑level youth and junior hockey before playing four seasons at Northeastern University, where he served as an alternate captain and helped the Huskies capture multiple Hockey East Championships while anchoring the blue line with leadership and poise.
Following his college career, Kislin continued his pursuit of the game at the professional level, signing with the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL and later appearing with the Jacksonville Icemen, bringing his competitive experience and hockey IQ to the pro ranks.
Transitioning into coaching and hockey development, Kislin emphasizes sound defensive play, strong skating fundamentals, and decision‑making under pressure, helping young players elevate their skills and understanding of the game. His background as a high‑level competitor allows him to mentor athletes with insight into both the physical and mental aspects of hockey.
Joey Gilhooly | Coach
Joey Gilhooly is a dedicated hockey coach and former collegiate hockey player from Brooklyn, New York. He currently serves as a scout/skills coach for the Woodbridge Wolfpack where he focuses on player development, strategy, and building a strong team culture, along with holding the role of Director of Scouting for the Danbury Jr Hat Tricks of the NAHL.
Gilhooly’s playing career began with the New York Bobcats youth organization and continued through a four‑year collegiate career at SUNY Potsdam, where he honed his skills and leadership before transitioning into coaching at the collegiate level.
Off the ice, Gilhooly serves as a firefighter with the Fire Department City of New York (FDNY), bringing the same work ethic, teamwork, and discipline from his professional fire service background into his coaching. He also competes as a member of the FDNY Hockey Team, representing his department in charity competitions and annual games that raise funds for first responder causes.
Gilhooly lives in the New York area and continues to make a positive impact on the hockey community through his coaching and mentorship efforts.
KYLE SHAPIRO | Goaltending Coach
Kyle Shapiro is a dedicated hockey coach and experienced goaltender with roots in Ocean Township, New Jersey. A former collegiate goaltender, Shapiro played NCAA Division III hockey at Southern Maine and New England College, where he developed his technique, competitiveness, and understanding of the crease. During his college career, he demonstrated consistency and leadership between the pipes.
Following his playing days, Shapiro transitioned into coaching and development, bringing a goalie’s perspective to training young netminders. He served as Assistant Coach for the New Jersey Junior Titans of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and served on the staff of the 2022 Robertson Cup Championship team. He worked closely with goaltenders to refine their technical skills, positioning, and game preparation.
As Goalie Coach, Shapiro emphasizes sound fundamentals, mental toughness, and situational awareness, helping goalies build confidence and improve every aspect of their game.
Shapiro lives in New Jersey and is committed to supporting the development of goaltenders at all levels of play.
TAYLOR HOLZE | POWER SKATING Coach
Taylor Holze is a skilled skating coach and former collegiate hockey player from Lynbrook, New York. She competed at the NCAA level for Boston University’s women’s ice hockey team, where she played four seasons and was a consistent contributor on the ice, showcasing strong skating ability and hockey instincts throughout her college career.
Following her playing days, Holze transitioned into coaching and power skating instruction, working with hockey players of all ages to enhance their stride mechanics, edge work, agility, and overall confidence on the ice. She co‑hosts elite skating development experiences such as The Skating Summit, partnering with top professional skating instructors to provide players with advanced training in speed, edge control, and on‑ice athleticism.
Holze’s approach to skating instruction emphasizes precision, efficiency, and hockey‑specific movement patterns, helping athletes develop the technical foundation and physical tools necessary to compete at high levels. Her combination of competitive experience and coaching expertise makes her a key contributor to player development in your program.
Holze resides in the greater New York area and continues to support hockey players in improving their skating fundamentals and performance.
Mike Vasalani | Strength and Conditioning Coach
Mike Vasalani is a highly experienced strength and conditioning coach with a long history of working with elite athletes across professional and high‑performance environments. With nearly three decades of experience in strength, performance, and athletic development, Vasalani brings proven expertise to his role as Strength & Conditioning Coach, helping athletes maximize power, resiliency, and on‑ice performance.
Vasalani’s career includes 22 seasons as Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the New Jersey Devils of the NHL, where he played a key role in designing and implementing year‑round training programs, assisting with player rehabilitation and return‑to‑action strategies, and optimizing performance for one of the league’s top organizations. During his time with the Devils, the franchise earned multiple Stanley Cup championships, a testament to the strength and conditioning standards he helped establish.
Prior to his long tenure with the Devils, Vasalani served as Strength & Conditioning staff with the Washington Capitals and at the University of Maryland, where he helped develop strength‑building programs across a wide range of sports. His background includes work with athletes at varying levels and types of competition, always with a focus on performance, durability, and injury prevention.
In his current role, Vasalani applies this depth of experience to athlete preparation, creating tailored strength, speed, and conditioning programs designed to help players thrive throughout long seasons and demanding competition schedules — on and off the ice.
Vasalani resides in New Jersey and remains committed to developing athletes who are physically prepared, mentally resilient, and ready to perform at their best.
LURENE GUMINA | MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Lurene “Lu” Gumina leads the brand, messaging, and growth strategy for Essentials Development Academy, bringing a high-performance, relationship-driven approach to marketing within elite youth athletics. With a strong foundation in communication and digital strategy, Gumina is focused on building a brand that resonates with athletes and families; one rooted in trust, transparency, and results.
Her work goes beyond traditional marketing. Gumina is intentional about telling the EDA story in a way that reflects the program’s standards, culture, and commitment to development. From website experience and social media strategy to recruitment messaging and parent communication, every touchpoint is designed to create clarity, confidence, and connection.
As a mother of three, Gumina brings an authentic understanding of what families value when choosing a program. She ensures that EDA’s voice speaks directly to those priorities: development, structure, safety, and long-term success while also highlighting the human side of the athlete experience.
In addition to her role in marketing, Gumina's experience as Billet Coordinator for the Woodbridge Wolfpack has strengthened her ability to build meaningful relationships within the hockey community. She is known for her accessibility, consistency, and ability to connect; supporting athletes not just as players, but as individuals navigating the demands of high-level development.
At Essentials Development Academy, Gumina plays a key role in shaping both perception and experience, driving growth while helping to cultivate a culture where athletes feel supported, confident, and prepared to perform at the highest level.
Gumina resides in Middletown, New Jersey with her fiancé, three daughters and her golden retriever, George.
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