Coaches

The following coaches are responsible for the continued growth of the Pittsburgh Steel City Selects Girls Hockey program during the 2026-2027 season

Head Coach 19U Team:

Annie Katonka

Annie Katonka is entering her third season with Pittsburgh Steel City Selects Hockey. A Pittsburgh native, she has a strong passion for growing women’s hockey in the area. Annie’s goal is to create an environment where players enjoy the game, compete hard, and continue to grow both as athletes and as individuals.

During her time with the program, she has helped guide teams to back-to-back appearances in the USA Hockey National Championships quarterfinals. In addition to her work with the Selects, Annie has served as an assistant coach with the North Pittsburgh Wildcats and has coached various Learn to Skate programs throughout the Pittsburgh area. She has also contributed to Northeast New York district hockey camps.

Prior to coaching, Annie played collegiately for the Plattsburgh State Cardinals. She was a three-time First Team All-American, a two-time SUNYAC Player of the Year, and a member of the 2019 NCAA National Championship team. As a three-year captain, she led the program to four conference championships and four consecutive NCAA Frozen Four appearances, while also leading NCAA Division III in goals for two seasons.

Assistant Coach 19U Team:

Isabella Hervert

Head Coach 16U Major

&14 Minor Team:

 Jim Black

Jim Black will be entering his fourth season as the 14U Head Coach and 5th year as the Hockey Director for the Pittsburgh Steel City Selects organization

Jim started his coaching career in High School Hockey and had the privilege of coaching at multiple area School Districts. During those years as a Varsity Head Coach, he was part of State Championship teams with Pine Richland in 2005, North Allegheny in 2006 and 2013 and as an Assistant Coach with Beaver High School in 1992.

While coaching with Pittsburgh Steel City Selects, the 19U team won a National Championship and Gold Medal in 2022 and a Bronze medal in 2024, and the 14U team won a Bronze Medal in 2026

Jim has 30+ years of coaching experience at the amateur level, high school, and girl’s hockey.

Assistant Coach

16U Major:

Mira Rolins

Head Coach 14U Major

& 16 Minor Team:

Ellyn Stanton

Ellyn Stanton is entering her third season as the head coach for the 14U Pittsburgh Steel City Selects. A former goalie for the organization from 2009-2012, she was part of the team’s first bid to nationals in the 2011-2012 season.

Ellyn began her coaching career as an assistant coach for the Adrian College D1 Women’s ACHA team during the 2016-2017 season, immediately after graduating. She has also served as the head coach for Mon Valley’s 12U girls’ team and the Morgantown Blades 12U and 14U girls’ teams.

Bringing a deep love for the game into her coaching, Ellyn is dedicated to fostering player development, teamwork, and passion for hockey in every athlete she coaches.

Assistant Coach

16U Minor Team:

Tessa Deemer

Assistant Coach

14U Major Team:

Kaeleigh Hurd

Assistant Coach

14U Minor Team:

Jonathan Edmonds

Assistant Coach

14U Minor Team:

Veronica Edmonds

Skills Coach & Hockey Development Specialist:

Alex Gritz

Alex Gritz is a former professional hockey player with experience across the ECHL, SPHL, Major junior (OHL and QMJHL), and USPORTS college levels.



Alex is the founder of AHG Hockey Development, delivering personalized player development through private lessons, power skating, skills training, and small-group clinics. Passionate about teaching high-level fundamentals and helping athletes improve their game.

Alex is ready to serve as the dedicated Skills Coach.

Off Ice Training:

Parkes Knepshield

Parkes Knepshield grew up in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, about 40 miles north of Pittsburgh. He developed a passion for sports, fitness, and performance through wrestling and football at an early age.

In 2011, he attended Slippery Rock University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science in 2015. During college, he became passionate about teaching proper lifting techniques and sports performance training, leading him to intern at Finish First Sports Performance under Jeremy Hoy. After graduation, he accepted a full-time position as Assistant Strength Coach.

Parkes continued his education at California University of Pennsylvania, earning a master's degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in Athletic Performance and Injury Prevention while opening and operating his own youth athletic training facility.



Over the past seven-plus years, he has trained hundreds of athletes, teams, coaches, and parents, developing effective, individualized training strategies. Through Summit Athletics, his mission is to help every client train safely, effectively, and build lifelong habits that support lasting success.

Our Mission

At Sports Club, our mission is to provide a premier youth sports experience that fosters growth, integrity, and excellence. We believe that sports are a powerful vehicle for teaching life lessons, building character, and creating lifelong friendships.

Founded in 2010, we have grown from a small community program to a regional powerhouse, serving over 1,200 athletes across multiple disciplines. Our coaching staff consists of former collegiate and professional athletes who are passionate about passing on their knowledge to the next generation.

Why Choose Us?