St. Louis AAA Blues
Coaching Staff
ANTHONY CAPPELLETTI - HEAD COACH 18U
Anthony Cappelletti is entering his 16th season behind the bench for the AAA Blues. In his time with the club, Anthony has developed dozens of Junior and NCAA Division I players, including his time spent with the 1998 class that has produced 7 NHL draft picks.
As a player, Anthony played Division I NCAA hockey for the University of Massachusetts- Lowell before embarking on a professional career in the AHL, ECHL, and UHL.
JEFF BROWN - ASSISTANT COACH 18U & 15U
Jeff played more than 750 career NHL games, including more than 300 with the St. Louis Blues before beginning a coaching career that has produced countless NHL draft picks and college players. Jeff started with the AAA Blues in 2002, coaching with the 1988 team that included 3 time Stanley Cup winner Pat Maroon before coaching the 1998 AAA Blues, one of the most successful birth years in USA Hockey history. After his time with the 98's Jeff coached the St. Louis Bandits to a NAHL Championship, only to follow that accomplishment by guiding the Indiana Ice of the USHL to a Clark Cup Championship in his 1st full season.
After returning to St. Louis after a 3 year stop in the OHL as the Head Coach of the Ottawa 67's, Jeff returned to the AAA Blues to serve as the Director of Hockey Operations and the Head Coach of the 2021-22 National Runner-up 18U AAA Blues. In addition to his club responsibilities, Jeff coaches as an assistant on the 18U, 16U, and 15U teams.
CHRIS DURSO - HEAD COACH 16U
Chris is returning as the Head Coach of the 16U AAA Blues on the heels of leading the 2006 AAA Blues to a Central District Championship and an appearance in the quarterfinals of the USA Hockey National Championships.
Chris is in his 6th season with the AAA Blues, having previously served as an the Head Coach of the 2005 AAA Blues and as an assistant on the 16U AAA Blues. Coach Durso recently led the DeSmet Jesuit Spartans Hockey Club to a Runner-Up finish in the Mid States Club Hockey Association Championship and has served the Director of Player Development for Missouri Hockey since 2017.
NICK BLASE - ASSISTANT COACH 16U
STEVE DOUGLASS - ASSISTANT COACH 16U
SAM CANFIELD - HEAD COACH 15U
Sam Canfield is stepping as the new Head Coach of the 15U AAA Blues after spending the last 7 seasons as an Assistant Coach for various AAA Blues teams led by NHL'ers Jeff Brown, Andy McDonald, and Jamie Rivers.
Sam is currently the Coordinator of Operations and Programming for TPH Hockey in St. Louis after spending 10 years in various roles with Synergy Hockey, including the last 5 as a Lead Instructor.
JEFF BROWN - ASSISTANT COACH 18U & 15U
Jeff played more than 750 career NHL games, including more than 300 with the St. Louis Blues before beginning a coaching career that has produced countless NHL draft picks and college players. Jeff started with the AAA Blues in 2002, coaching with the 1988 team that included 3 time Stanley Cup winner Pat Maroon before coaching the 1998 AAA Blues, one of the most successful birth years in USA Hockey history. After his time with the 98's Jeff coached the St. Louis Bandits to a NAHL Championship, only to follow that accomplishment by guiding the Indiana Ice of the USHL to a Clark Cup Championship in his 1st full season.
After returning to St. Louis after a 3 year stop in the OHL as the Head Coach of the Ottawa 67's, Jeff returned to the AAA Blues to serve as the Director of Hockey Operations and the Head Coach of the 2021-22 National Runner-up 18U AAA Blues. In addition to his club responsibilities, Jeff coaches as an assistant on the 18U, 16U, and 15U teams.
NICK CAREY - HEAD COACH 2008S
Nick Carey returns as the Head Coach of the 2008 AAA Blues after a Top15 finish in the 2021-22 season. Nick started with the AAA Blues as a youth and played for the AAA Blues 1990 team that won the 14U USA Hockey National Championship Tournament. After playing for the AAA Blues, Nick began a successful NAHL stint with the St. Louis Bandits, finishing his playing career at Lindenwood University.
As a coach, Nick is entering his 6th season with the AAA Blues, having served as Head Coach of the 2005 AAA Blues and as an Assistant at the 15O, 16U, and 18U levels.
DYLAN MUETH - HEAD COACH 2009S
Dylan Mueth is entering his 3rd season as the Head Coach of the 2009 AAA Blues after spending time as an Assistant Coach with former NHL player Andy McDonald with the 2007 AAA Blues.
Prior to his time with the AAA Blues, Dylan's coaching career has seen stops with the Rocky Mountain Roughriders AAA Club and McKendree University, where he recently served as the Head Coach of their ACHA team. Dylan has also worked as a professional skills coach for Elite Hockey Training and Synergy Hockey.
BARRET JACKMAN - ASSISTANT COACH 2009S
A veteran of over 800 NHL games with the St. Louis Blues, Barret returns to the 2009 AAA Blues, where he will enter his 3rd season on the staff. Barret was a 1st round pick of the St. Louis Blues in 1999 before winning the 2003 Calder Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year. After a 14 year NHL career, Barret has been very active in the St. Louis Blues Alumni.
JOHN GILBERT - HEAD COACH 2010s
John is entering his 2nd season at the helm of the 2010 AAA Blues. The 2022-23 season will see the 2010 AAA Blues head to Quebec City as the St. Louis Blues representative for the PeeWee Quebec International Tournament.
Coach Gilbert is a St. Louis native and played youth hockey for the AAA Blues, the St. Louis Sting of the NAHL, and the Lincoln Stars of the USHL before finishing his playing career at NCAA Division I Iona College.
As a coach, John started out coaching the 2000 AAA Blues with current Lindenwood University Head Coach Rick Zombo before taking a head coaching position with the Chesterfield Hockey Association.
STEPHEN BOPP - HEAD COACH 2011s
Stephen Bopp has been selected to lead the 2011 AAA Blues in their 1st year of competition as a AAA team. Coach Bopp joins the AAA Blues after starting his coaching career with the St. Louis Rockets Hockey Club and Carshield Hockey.
As a player, Stephen played for the AAA Blues under Coach Scott Sanderson before joining the St. Louis Bandits of the NAHL. He finished his playing career with Lindenwood University as a member of the 2016 National Championship team.
Coach Bopp owns and operates Bodies by Bopp, an athlete fitness company, in addition to serving as a Player Mentor for TPH Hockey in St. Louis