News

(INDIANAPOLIS, IN – September 11, 2020) – Goaltender Richie Parent has become the first Tri-State Spartan alumnus to commit to play college hockey. Parent will play for the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego this upcoming season. He was one of the original goalies in the first year of the program.

In the 2017-18 season, Parent played for the Tri-State Spartans 18U AAA team. He then went on to guard the crease for the Shreveport Mudbugs in the NAHL where he set a franchise record for consecutive wins at eight. When he joined the Spartans, it was a first year program, but he knew that it would provide a tremendous opportunity to develop as a person and an athlete.

“After going to the tryout, I got to meet some of the players and coach Austin,” said Parent. “Everyone was so nice, and I liked the area. I knew it was a team that would help me develop and get better. It was great because it helped us balance our schoolwork while also getting on the ice. We had dedicated trainers and workout spaces along with tutors to help us study. That’s what I liked when I was there.”

Greg Austin, Director of Hockey-Operation as Total Package Hockey (TPH) in Indianapolis, was honest with Parent when coming to a first-year program. It was about development and ice time, not necessarily wins and losses.

“He recognized that coming to a first-year program was an opportunity for him to face a lot of shots,” said Austin on Parent. “Most first year teams, if you have to be strong, it’ll be between the pipes. It makes it easier to recruit like that. You can promise them that they’ll get lots of shots. When you’re a development guy, you want to be on the ice facing shots. I was honest with him when I recruited him. We had three goaltenders that year, and all three could play. He wasn’t big, but he’s very athletic, good laterally and read the puck well.”

Parent was only able to spend one season in Indianapolis as he aged out of the program, but that one year saw a huge improvement in his skills.

“Towards the end of the season, we really started to see him separate,” said Austin. “He went and trained with the Mudbugs as well and proved his worth. He matured immensely with the experiences he had here. It’s difficult to play on a losing team, but as a goaltender, he found ways to make positives out of negatives. He was a good teammate, and left with a skillset that I think was improved. It was a lot about him in that he worked hard and saw the opportunity.”

The Center of Excellence offers a good balance between academics and athletics. What stood out to Parent was the opportunity to be on the ice and improve.

“The biggest thing about that program is being on the ice all the time,” said Parent. “We’d have a skill skate in the morning and a practice in the afternoon. I had a lot of ice time to develop, and that was huge in helping me get to the next level.”

Austin recognized that the balance and ability to be on the ice twice a day is what opened more opportunities for Parent.

“We’re trying to be a program that implements study, train, play at the Center of Excellence level, which has a lot to do with why Richie got as good as he did,” said Austin. “He was on the ice twice a day. We focus on development, not wins and losses. We focus on individual player development, then it’s up to the student-athlete to embrace that with their own passion for the game. Richie has been one of those success stories, and we’re really proud of him.”

While the college hockey season is currently postponed, Parent is still thrilled at the opportunity to play. He’s enjoying the college life and just hopes that more student-athletes can have the experience that he’s had while developing. As for the future, once Parent has completed his time in college, he hopes to play the sport he loves professionally.

“I’m extremely grateful for every opportunity I’ve had,” said Parent. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do as a little kid. Being able to live the life and be able to play college hockey is just awesome. I hope that every kid that wants this experience gets it. As of right now, I just want to start my season whenever we can and take it year by year. I want to be the best I can be with where I’m at. My goal is to hopefully play pro hockey after my four years at Oswego.”

Learn more about the Tri-State Spartans here.

Interested in attending the Center of Excellence in Indianapolis? Click here.

The Tri-State Spartans are excited to release the schedule for tryouts. To register for tryouts, click here.

Click here to download a printer-friendly schedule.

The Tri-State Spartans are pleased to announce acceptance into the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) for the 2020-2021 season.  With an aim to expose top-level players to the opportunities that are readily available to the players in more traditional hockey markets, the Tri-State Spartans, with the regional model, know that joining the NAPHL is the next step in making this happen.

The NAPHL has established itself as one of the premier grounds for development and exposure. The success of teams on the National stage, as well as, the success of NAPHL players at the next levels of hockey, is proof that the NAPHL has elevated itself to one of the premier training grounds for development and opportunity.

The NAPHL is comprised of regular-season events leading up to its Championship Tournament in which the top teams at each level compete for a league championship.  NAPHL Events are some of the most scouted events in all of youth hockey.  There is no better stage to begin a season than in Blaine, MN, in cooperation with the NAHL Showcase, where there will be over 300+ NHL, NCAA, USHL, NAHL and other junior scouts will be in attendance.

“We are really excited to be accepted as a member in the NAPHL,” states TPH CEO Nathan Bowen. “The Tri-State Spartans players will really benefit from the exposure they will receive by being part of the league and we are thankful for the opportunity Mark, Tony and the entire league has provided for our Spartans program.”

Over 110+ NAPHL alumni played in the NAHL and over 225 NAPHL alumni played in the NCAA.  During the past three years, 160+ NAPHL players have signed an NAHL tender or been drafted into the NAHL.  A total of 28 NAPHL alumni have been selected in the last seven NHL Drafts.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the Tri-State Spartans program,” stated Hockey Director, Chris Lipsett, “ Not only does being part of the NAPHL provide the Spartans with a great league to compete, it also provides great events for exposure of our players to Junior and College scouts”

The Tri-State Spartans program was established in 2014, to bring elite players together and provide them with high performance training, professional coaching, exposure to competition with top team around the country while being held accountable for their academic performance while still being able to live at home.

The Tri-State Spartans program is managed by Total Package Hockey (TPH).  TPH was founded in 2001 with a vision to become the world leader in positively impacting the lives of student-athletes through the game of hockey.  Since inception, 45 #TPHTrained student-athletes have been selected in the NHL Draft, while 200 have committed to the NCAA level-189 of which are Division 1. In addition, 99 players have been selected in the OHL Priority Selection and 353 have signed tenders or been drafted in the USHL and NHL.  While proud of achievements made on the ice, the TPH team of coaches and mentors are most proud of the process of developing young men and women who are ready for the ultimate game-the game of life.

The Tri-State Spartans are pleased to announce the 2020-2021 coaching staff:

18U AAA

Nick Parillo /// Head Coach

Coach Parillo won a National Championship with the USHL Desmoines Buccaneers and then attended Merrimack College in Hockey East. After graduation he attended the Detroit Red Wings main camp and then split his time playing in the AHL and the ECHL, spending much of his time in Toledo. After forming and operating Hockey Player Development (HPD) clinics, Coach Parillo merged this with Tam O’Shanter and helped to form the Sylvania North Star organization. Coach Parillo was instrumental in bring the Sylvania 18U AAA program into the Tri-State Spartans.

Greg Austin /// Asst. Coach

Coach Austin has been coaching College, Midget AAA and High School hockey athletes for over 20 years. He played Maritime Junior A hockey at Halifax and received USA Level 5 and Canada Level 3 coaching certifications. Coach Austin has coached the Tri-State Spartans 18U team since its inception 3 seasons ago. In this role, he has helped advance players to the nonpaid to play Junior ranks. Coach Austin will also act as the GM for the 16U Spartans team and is part of the Tri-State Spartans executive board.

16U AAA

Kelly Perrault /// Head Coach

Coach Perrault played Division I college hockey at Bowling Green State University, where he was first team All-American. He was a seven season All-Star in the AHL, ECHL, IHL, UHL and Germany. Coach Perrault has played over 650 professional hockey games, winning championships with the Quad City Mallards and the Ft. Wayne Komets. Coach Perrault has been part of the Tri-State Spartans coaching staff for many seasons.

15U AAA

Chris Lipsett /// Head Coach

Coach Lipsett played Division I college hockey at Clarkson University, where he graduated with an Engineering degree. He has played in a total of 869 professional hockey games in the AHL, IHL, ECHL, CHL and Europe. Coach Lipsett has over 20 years of professional coaching and instructional experience. Coach Lipsett is part of the executive board for the Tri-State Spartans and has been coaching with the program since its inception.

14U AAA

Iain Fraser /// Head Coach

Coach Fraser was the Captain of the OHL Oshawa Generals for a Memorial Cup win, earning MVP honors. From there he progressed through the AHL to the NHL where he was drafted by the NY Islanders. Coach Fraser played professional hockey for over 17 years and over 1000 games with the likes of the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks. He was won awards such as a NHL all-rookie team selection, second team AHL All-Star, OHL player of the year and won a Bronze Medal with Team Canada at the ’95 World Championships. Coach Fraser is part of the executive board for the Tri-State Spartans and has been coaching with the program since its inception.

13U AAA

Pascal Morency /// Head Coach

Following his major junior year, Coach Morency stepped into the pro ranks with the United Hockey League. He then went on to play in the ECHL and the AHL, where he was nominated for the Yannick Dupre Award 3 years in a row. He finished out his career playing in Europe in Austria and the UK. After retirement, Coach Morency began coaching at the Fernie Academy and then in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and AAA hockey for the next 3 years.

12U AAA

Jarrett Dueling /// Head Coach

Coach Dueling played 4 years in the Canadian Major Junior in the Western Hockey League with the Kamloops Blazers, winning 2 Memorial Cups. He was drafted in the third round, 56th overall pick, by the NY Islanders. He played professionally for 7 years in the AHL, IHL, and the NHL. Coach Dueling has been coached in the Tri-State Spartans program for numerous years.

Ron Leef /// Asst. Coach

Coach Leef played for 2 years in the OHL prior to attending a tryout with the Vancouver Canucks. He played 6 years in the IHL with the Ft. Wayne Komets and has been inducted into the Komets Hall of Fame. Coach Leef has over 18 years of coaching experience in youth, high school, AAA and college.

11U AAA

Frank Banham /// Head Coach

Coach Banham played 4 years in Canadian Major Junior in the Western Hockey League. He was drafted 147th by the Washington Capitals, playing over 20 years of professional hockey and 1000 plus games in the NHL, AHL and top European Leagues. Coach Banham has received multiple All-Star selections and played in the World Hockey Championships twice. He coached professionally with several European teams and has been coaching youth hockey at various levels for over 15 years. Coach Banham returns for his second season with the Tri-State Spartans.

10U AAA

Mike Farrier /// Head Coach

Coach Farrier played Division III college hockey at Northland College. He has 8 plus years of coaching experience at the youth, high school and AAA levels, with two of his 2017 and 2019 high school teams winning Indiana State High School Hockey State Championships. Coach Farrier has been an assistant coach for the 18U Spartans for the past 3 seasons prior to taking this position.

Congratulations to Spartans Alum and #TPHTrained Richie Parent on setting the Shreveport Mudbugs franchise record for consecutive wins! #SpartanNation

Congratulations to the winners of the Tri-State Spartans Sweepstakes! Below is the a list of the winners:

• $2500 Grand Prize- Mike Reel (16U group)
• $1500 Second prize-Brent Cohoon (07 group)
• $1000 third Prize- Robertson family (09 group)
• $500 prize- Yuri Pivor (05 group)
• $500 prize- Fisher family (06 group)
• $500 prize- K.Wedel (08 group)
• $250 prize- Sam Gossard (15U group)
• $250 prize- Mike Lanius (18U group)

TPH and the Tri-State Spartans are pleased to announce that Austin Baker accepted a position to play with the Hearst Lumberjacks of the Norther Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL). Austin played for two seasons with the 18U AAA Tri-State Spartans. Starting on the team as a train only player, with a lot of hard work and dedication at the Indy Center of Excellence, Austin was able to continually climb the ladder on the team and went from a practice only player to a regular lineup position and then worked his way onto special teams including the PP and PK units. To do this, Austin dedicated himself to a rigorous on and off ice program of skill development and strength and conditioning. The end result was a student-athlete that excelled as a utility player (playing both forward and defense) as well as contributing on special teams. Accepting the position with the Hearst Lumberjacks, Austin will continue to grow his game on this nonpay-to-play Junior team.

August 12, 2019

Tri-State Spartans Executive Director Chris Lipsett and Director of Hockey Operations Iain Fraser are pleased to announce Roman Marakhovski as head coach of the U15 Spartans.

“Roman brings a massive amount of experience from his playing career and his time coaching at the ECHL level as well as coaching at the highest youth levels,” said Lipsett. “We’ve taken the opportunity to add his experience to our program and more importantly his strong character. Roman’s character aligns well with what we believe it means to be a Spartan. Roman will accelerate the growth of our club while instilling the character that we expect of our players.”

Marakhovski has over 10 years of professional hockey experience and over 475 professional games across the U.S. and Europe. Marakhovski has played and trained with professional hockey teams in the former Soviet Union and attended training camps and played in exhibition games with the Ukrainian National Team.

During his professional playing days, Marakhovski had stops in Russia, France, Greensboro, Corpus Christi, Augusta, Louisiana, Johnstown Pennsylvania, Columbus Georgia and finished up his career in Atlanta with the Gladiators.

Following his professional career, Marakhovski served as the head coach for two seasons with the 18U Thunder AAA Hockey Club, several years coaching various AAA TPH Thunder teams, and seven years as the skills coach for the Atlanta Gladiators.