CT Crease Bios

CT Crease Bios

Chris Ardito

Chris Ardito was an original student of The Connecticut Crease and trained at the original Crease in Etobicoke, Ontario. After years of training and experience he started working full-time at CT Crease. Chris has built a strong base of clients, and in 2008 had his first student make it to NCAA Division 1.

Chris has been coaching goalies for 14 years. He has acted as an evaluator for USA Hockey at the state level, and is the head goalie coach for the Northern Lights program. He coaches students of all abilities and has worked with Mid-Faireld Blues, CT Wolfpack, CT Clippers, CT Polar Bears, CT Oilers, and many others..

Chris has also coached at the collegiate level. From 2008 – 2012 Chris served as assistant and goalie coach for Southern Connecticut State University. Helping lead them to 2 regional appearances and 1 national appearance, including a single season record of 25-1 in 2011 – 2012. Chris resigned from SCSU to take a position as goalie coach for the Yale University Women’s Ice Hockey Team in September 2012. In 2015 Chris spent a short time as the General Manager of the Connecticut Whale of the NWHL.

Craig Height

Craig Height was first employed as a part-time instructor in 2002. Craig has played at the Junior A and B levels, and was one of the first students to train at The Crease. Craig was a four-year starter at Central Connecticut State University, where he led the team to a national championship appearance in 2008. Craig joined the Crease full time in 2009 after completing his degree.

Craig has been coaching goalies for 13 years. He has been an evaluator at the state level for USA Hockey, and has worked the Crease summer camps every year since 2002. Craig has worked with goalies of all levels, and has been the head goalie coach for the CT LaZers youth program. Craig has also worked with the Tier 1 Mid-Faireld blues, CT Wolf pack, Ct Polar Bears and Mid-Faireld Stars girls program.

Craig has also coached at the collegiate level. In 2011-2012 he served as goalie coach for The Wesleyan University Women’s team. In 2009-2010 Craig was the goaltending coach for Central Connecticut State University who finished 2nd in the country for the ACHA Division II. Craig is in his second season as the goalie coach for the Sacred Heart University Men’s NCAA Ice Hockey Team.

Dan Stewart

In 1994, while playing in the Ontario Hockey League, Dan Stewart started coaching goalies as a part-time summer job. Seven years later, Dan moved to Connecticut and founded the Connecticut Crease elite goalie school. The Crease has since grown into the busiest training center in New England, with a client roster of more than 300 goalies.

Dan has acted as goalie coach at the Youth, Junior, and Division 1 College levels, as a head coach at the Junior level, and assistant coach at the College level. He has served as a coach and an evaluator for USA Hockey at the State and District levels. His experience and skills as an instructor have served him well, earning him a widespread reputation as one of the best goalie coaches in the northern U.S.

Dan trains his goalies to work hard, pay attention to detail, use strong technique— but most importantly, to have fun doing it all.

Shayne O’Brien

In his 4thseason as a CT Crease Instructor, Shayne has developed a wealth of knowledge and a style of coaching that allows him to easily interact with goalies of all ages and demeanors. Shayne became a CT Crease Goalie in 2002, while playing with the Greater New Haven Warriors, since then Shayne’s played with the Connecticut Clippers, Hartford Jr. Wolfpack, and now Southern Connecticut State University. In his time at SCSU Shayne saw time in the 2012 National Tournament, won the 2012 ECHC Conference Championship, was a 2013 Conference All Star, and served as Captain for and team president for 2 seasons.

Luc Amatruda

Luc has spent his playing career between many different levels, making him able to relate to goalies of all skill sets and situations. Luc has developed a tremendous skill of engaging in goalies of all ages. Making them eager to learn and listen to him, all while having fun.

Luc finished his junior playing career with the Bay State Breakers of the USPHL before going to Southern Connecticut to play for their ACHA team.

Luc is in his third season as a CT Crease instructor and is a great asset to our organization.

Mike Landino:

Mike has been a goalie since he was very young. He has spent his time learning not just how to play it better, but also to coach it better. As the most recent hire of CT Crease, mike brings with him several years of working with Mitch Korn (Nashville Predators) Goalie Schools, Notre Dame West Haven, and the Brave Hockey Club (Quinnipiac hockey ACHA). Mike is a graduate of Quinnipiac University and is working on his masters in Sports Management.