Meet Our 2026/2027 Coaches

8U Coaches

8U Head Coach / Player Development
Luke Kirwan brings elite-level playing experience and a deep understanding of high-performance hockey to his role with the Florida Kings. During his playing career, Kirwan was regarded as one of the top players in the world within the 1997 birth year, competing and excelling alongside peers such as Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk, and other top international prospects.
Kirwan was a member of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) and represented Team USA in multiple international tournaments. His accomplishments include winning a World Championship, Five Nations Championship, and Four Nations Championship, as well as being selected to compete in the USA Hockey All-American All-Star Game.
At the junior level, Kirwan competed in both the OHL and QMJHL, gaining valuable experience in two of the premier development leagues in the world. He also earned invitations to NHL training camps with the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets, further solidifying his status as a high-level prospect.

8U Assistant Coach
Cole serves as an Assistant Coach for the 8U program with the Kings. He is passionate about developing young players through strong fundamentals skill progression and a positive team first culture. Cole focuses on building confidence work ethic and hockey IQ while creating an environment where athletes can learn compete and enjoy the game. His hands on approach and commitment to player growth make him a valuable leader within the Kings program.

8U Head Coach / Player Development
Luke Kirwan brings elite-level playing experience and a deep understanding of high-performance hockey to his role with the Florida Kings. During his playing career, Kirwan was regarded as one of the top players in the world within the 1997 birth year, competing and excelling alongside peers such as Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk, and other top international prospects.
Kirwan was a member of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) and represented Team USA in multiple international tournaments. His accomplishments include winning a World Championship, Five Nations Championship, and Four Nations Championship, as well as being selected to compete in the USA Hockey All-American All-Star Game.
At the junior level, Kirwan competed in both the OHL and QMJHL, gaining valuable experience in two of the premier development leagues in the world. He also earned invitations to NHL training camps with the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets, further solidifying his status as a high-level prospect.

EJ Faust From Toronto Ontario, EJ’s career started in Minnesota at Shattuck St-Mary’s before he moved on to Jr. A Hockey in Toronto for the Aurora Tigers. Following his first year of junior hockey EJ moved up to the QMJHL, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, making the team as a walk-on. He finished his junior career in New Brunswick playing Jr. A for the Woodstock Slammers. EJ concluded his career at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario and played 4 years of Canadian University Hockey (CIS), before moving to South Florida.

12 U Head Coach
Vladimir Denisov is a former professional ice hockey defenseman from Belarus and Olympic athlete. Played extensively in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk and Ak Bars Kazan, as well as in the AHL, Swiss League, and Finnish Liiga. Long-time member of the Belarus national team. Represented Belarus in numerous IIHF World Championships over a 13-year span (2005–2019). Participated in the 2010 Winter Olympics and various Olympic qualification events. Earned junior-level honors, including gold medals at the U18 and U20 World Junior Championships in Division I. Served as a leader on multiple teams, including captain roles during his career.

14U Head Coach / Player Development
Luke Kirwan brings elite-level playing experience and a deep understanding of high-performance hockey to his role with the Florida Kings. During his playing career, Kirwan was regarded as one of the top players in the world within the 1997 birth year, competing and excelling alongside peers such as Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk, and other top international prospects.
Kirwan was a member of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) and represented Team USA in multiple international tournaments. His accomplishments include winning a World Championship, Five Nations Championship, and Four Nations Championship, as well as being selected to compete in the USA Hockey All-American All-Star Game.
At the junior level, Kirwan competed in both the OHL and QMJHL, gaining valuable experience in two of the premier development leagues in the world. He also earned invitations to NHL training camps with the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets, further solidifying his status as a high-level prospect.

16U Head Coach
Mike Vaskivuo is a South Florida native and accomplished former professional hockey player with a decade of experience competing at the highest levels of the game. He developed locally before attending Westminster Prep School and South Kent School in Connecticut, earning a draft selection to the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers.
Mike went on to receive a full Division I scholarship to Merrimack College, competing in Hockey East, before launching a successful professional career that spanned over 10 years across leagues including Liiga, the Swiss A League, and the ECHL. During his career, he won an ECHL/CHL Championship with Fort Wayne, earning MVP honors, and achieved a milestone by signing with the Florida Panthers in 2013.
Now a dedicated coach, Mike led the Florida Kings 16U team to a State Championship in the 2025 to 2026 season. He brings elite playing experience, leadership, and a strong commitment to player development to the next generation of athletes.

18U AA Head Coach
Josh Haverstrom grew up playing hockey in Orlando, Florida, before leaving home at 15 to join the Pikes Peak Miners in Colorado, where he played AAA hockey. His journey then took him to junior hockey, where he played with the Idaho Jr. Steelheads in the WSHL and the Wichita Falls Wildcats in the NAHL.
Josh was fortunate to continue his hockey career at the University of Massachusetts Boston, where, during his sophomore year, his team made history by becoming the first in school history to reach the Frozen Four of the NCAA Division III finals. However, his playing career came to an unexpected end during Josh’s junior year after undergoing his second hip surgery.
Over the past seven years, Josh has coached hockey at all levels, from 8U minor to 18U AAA. As someone who grew up in Florida, he take immense pride in helping the next generation of players in the state develop their skills and passion for the game that has given Josh so much.