MARK PUROWITZ | AAU COLLEGE HOCKEY CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Mark has been part of ice hockey for over 50 years as a player, coach, administrator, and organization leader - including playing Tier I youth hockey, international competition, as well as at the DIII NCAA collegiate level.  As a youth coach, Mark has led teams to numerous District and National tournament experiences and still maintains close relationships with many of his players.  Prior to helping found the CHF, Mark was the Commissioner for the Colonial States Collegiate Hockey Conference.

In founding the CHF, we actively designed and built it “fit for purpose” to offer college student-athletes an alternative option to participate in a better club hockey experience than currently offered by others. Our reason for being is very simple - we love the game of hockey and desire to enable the best club hockey experience for collegiate student-athletes in the United States.  Period.  We recognize that non-varsity hockey is played for the love of the game and the continuation of life lessons that can be leveraged as players continue to mature throughout their lives.  It is our job and mandate to enable an amazing experience for everyone who is fortunate enough to play.

Outside of AAU College Hockey, Mark is a senior partner with Deloitte Consulting and leads Mergers & Acquisitions globally focusing on the financial services sector.  The lessons learned playing and coaching hockey have absolutely helped throughout his career in understanding what it takes to be a valued member of a team.

We are very excited to continue growing AAU College Hockey on behalf of our Members, offering new and exciting opportunities for them to experience this amazing sport.  Thank you very much for being a part of our family.

JUAN CARLOST OTERO | AAU COLLEGE HOCKEY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Juan Carlos has been around collegiate hockey for over 10 years, starting as the University of Miami Hockey Club’s first General Manager. Given his influence and community-building skills, Juan Carlos was also asked to be a Board Member of the Southern Collegiate Hockey Conference (SCHC) as well as serving on the NHL’s Youth Hockey Inclusion Committee. During this time, Juan Carlos’ love for the game and his proud Latino roots led him to launch Amerigol International Hockey Assoc., in 2017. The mission of Amerigol International is to provide hockey players from Latin America and the Caribbean an opportunity to showcase their talent by participating in the Amerigol Latam Cup Tournament in South Florida. In only four years, the tournament has grown from 5 teams in the 2018 inaugural event to 29 teams in 2021 that are sponsored by the Florida Panthers. He is committed and devoted to growing hockey not only in Latin America and the Caribbean but throughout North America in communities where hockey is not considered a viable sport. The success of the tournament has led teams from non-traditional markets from around the world to take part in the Amerigol Latam Cup. Juan Carlos expects to have over 40 teams participate in the 2022 tournament again sponsored by the Panthers and another one in Dallas sponsored by the Stars. Juan Carlos is focused and dedicated to growing this incredible game in non-traditional countries and within these communities domestically. Also, to provide players an opportunity to play on an international stage which can lead to opportunities to attend a university in North America and play the game they love so much.

DR JEFFERT POPLARSKI | AAU COLLEGE HOCKEY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jeffrey E. Poplarski is a Doctor of Chiropractic. He holds the position as Adjunct Full Professor at SUNY Farmingdale State University in the Sports Management and Biology Departments and LIU Post in the Health, Physical Education and Movement Science Departments. Dr. Jeff is a Board Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) and has served as the sports medicine director for the Empire Collegiate Hockey Conference. He will be taking on the new role of Sports Medicine Director for the Collegiate Hockey Federation in advising our teams and student-athletes. Outside of his interests in hockey, Dr. Jeff is an avid golf enthusiast. He was appointed by the United States Golf Association (USGA) as the Chairman of the Practice Rounds and Caddy Committee for 7 U.S. Open Golf Championships. Since 2002, Dr. Poplarski has been Chairman of the U.S. Open Golf Championship Wellness Team, totaling 20 years with the USGA. He currently instructs the “First Swing” golf clinic for the handicapped, sponsored by the Eastern Amputee Golf Association. Dr. Jeff was also the Chairman of the 2018, 2019, and 2021 Senior U.S. Open Wellness Team at the Broadmoor in Colorado Spring, Warren Course at Notre Dame, and Omaha Country Club in Omaha Nebraska. Dr. Jeff also provided sports medicine coverage in 2019, 2020, and 2021 U.S. Amateurs at Pinehurst, Bandon Dunes, and Oakmont. Dr. Jeff also provided sports medicine coverage for the Walker Cup 2013 and 2021. His credits also include volunteering as a Doctor of Chiropractic at the 2006, 2007, and 2018 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tournament and the U.S. Open Tennis Championship.

BRIAN ABRAHAM, MBA, PH.D. | AAU COLLEGE HOCKEY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. Abraham is currently an Associate Professor of Management and Women’s Assistant Hockey Coach at Nichols College (Dudley, MA). He has previously taught at Babson College, The Ohio State University, Michigan State University, and other universities since 2002. Brian has served as Founder and/or CEO of over 25 companies across the fields of biotech, manufacturing, and software. While Brian currently serves as the Assistant Coach for the Nichols College (NCAA DIII) women’s hockey program, he spent the last 15 years in Minnesota coaching hockey. In addition to coaching association hockey (both boys and girls) in Minnetonka, MN, he coached the Minnesota Ice Cougars AAA team for 7 years finishing at the U19 level. His teams won a variety of championships including the International Cup and the Gopher Cup. Most recently, he was the head coach for the University of Minnesota women’s ACHA DI team where he led them to the national tournament. Prior to that, he was the assistant coach for the Michigan State women’s ACHA DI team. Originally from Salem MA, Brian played youth hockey for the Islanders Hockey Club, high school hockey at St. John’s Prep (Danvers, MA), and The Pingree School (South Hamilton, MA). He then finished out his playing career at the collegiate level for Skidmore College (NCAA DIII).