Nashville Jr Predators • Boys Tier I (AAA)

Boys Tier I Teams

Coaches

Tim McAllister

8U Development Program Director

Boys 11U AAA Head Coach

Profile

Originally from Kingston, Ontario, Tim McAllister has more than 20 years of coaching and instructional experience. Coach Tim was one of the co-founders of Thunder Hockey. He won 2 NJCAA National Championships in 1996 & 97 as well as being named an NJCAA All-American for those years.

James Gately

Boys 12U AAA Head Coach

Profile

Gately played D-I hockey at Xaverian Brothers High School in Massachusetts, two years with the NECDL, four years of ACHA D-I & D-II hockey at Berklee College, two years in METRO Elite Prospect program. He has been a USA Hockey certified hockey coach for 9 years (Level 4) and a certified USA Hockey Official for 10 years (Level 3). Gately was Assistant Coach for South Shore Vocational Tech Junior Varsity Team in Massachusetts, Associate Coach for Berklee Club Hockey, Assistant Coach U16- A Admirals (1 year),Head/Assistant Coach Jr Predators U13-U16 AA/ AAA (4 years) and Head Coach University School Nashville (1 year).

JP Dumont

Director of Hockey Operations

Boys 13O AAA Head Coach

Profile

Originally from Montreal, Quebec, JP Dumont had a very successful 12- year NHL career playing for the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, and the Nashville Predators. JP has been a part of the Nashville hockey scene for the last 14 seasons as an NHL player, youth coach, and junior coach. In addition to his coaching role, JP serves as the Director of Hockey Operations for the Nashville Jr. Predators.

Viktor Tikhonov

Boys 14U AAA Head Coach

Profile

Kevin Muller

Boys Tier I (AAA) Director

Boys 15O AAA Head Coach

Profile

Joins NJP after seven seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pittsburgh Penguins Elite program, Muller has demonstrated his ability to not only develop high-caliber athletes but build a top tier program. As the Executive Director of Excel Hockey Academy in Pittsburgh and a Skill Development Professional, Kevin has left an indelible mark on the hockey community, training top athletes at various levels. Kevin’s coaching legacy includes 21 years of AA and AAA team coaching at the Bantam and Midget levels. Over the past three seasons coaching 16U, he achieved an outstanding .658 win percentage, propelling players to prestigious leagues such as the USNTDP, USHL, NAHL, BCHL, QMJHL, OHL, and DI College Hockey. Kevin’s passion for hockey and technology led to founding the online coaching platform HockeyShare, in 2006. The platform has since become a staple in hockey coaching, used by professional, collegiate, junior and youth programs worldwide. Muller is entering his third season serving as Tier I Director.

Michael Berra

Boys 16U AAA Head Coach

Profile

Coach Berra joined the Nashville Jr. Predators organization in 2022 following his tenure as Assistant Coach and Director of Player Development with the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL. During his time in Sioux City, he played a key role in the team’s run to the Western Conference Final in 2021 and their Clark Cup Championship in 2022. His leadership also contributed to the development of numerous players who advanced to collegiate and professional hockey. Berra continues to serve as the Musketeers’ Director of Player Development. Before his time in the USHL, Berra spent over eight years as Head Coach and Hockey Director with the St. Louis AAA Blues, where he consistently developed players and guided them along successful hockey paths. Since arriving in Nashville, Berra has continued his impactful work, serving as Head Coach of the 16U AAA team and as Head of Hockey for TPH Nashville. Now entering his fourth season in Music City, he remains committed to the growth and development of hockey across the region.

Vinny Bohn

Boys 18U AAA Head Coach

Profile

A native of Spring Hill, Florida. Bohn has hockey history playing his junior hockey career in Vermont in the EJHL for the Green Mountain Glades, then moving to the Granite City Lumberjacks in the MJHL, and finishing with the El Paso Rhinos in the WSHL. In his four year junior hockey career, he placed 3rd and 2nd place at USA Hockey Nationals. Bohn then went on to play four years at Worcester State University Division III becoming an assistant captain and earning a degree in Psychology. After graduating, he began his coaching career in the NA3HL for the Atlanta Capitals as the assistant coach and director of player personnel, after his first season he was promoted to assistant coach to the Topeka Roadrunners in the NAHL. Bohn then advanced to NCAA Division III Marian University as the assistant coach and director of recruiting. After his time in the NCAA, he went back to junior hockey winning two Thorne Cup Championships with the El Paso Rhinos in the WSHL with a combined record of 86-9-3 in his two seasons. Upon his success in the WSHL, he became the first ever coach from that league to accept a job in the USHL with the Cedar Rapids Roughriders as the assistant coach. Moving on to become the Associate Head Coach with the El Paso Rhinos after covid and helping the organization transition to the NAHL. Lastly, before Nashville he was the Assistant GM/Assistant Coach for the New Mexico Ice Wolves NAHL. Bohn currently serves as the General Manager of the Chippewa Steel in the NAHL. Bohn along with his wife, their son Oliver, and dog Captain are entering their second season in Nashville!

Boys Tier I

Development drives results

Coaching built around the player, not the season

The Nashville Jr Predators offer Tier I boys hockey for players ages 11 to 18, competing against the top competition in the country.

Coaches with professional or collegiate playing experience lead every age group, using a shared development curriculum. Progression carries from one season to the next instead of resetting every fall, so an 11U player and an 18U player are being taught the same game at the level they are ready for.

7teams, 11U through 18U
11-18age range

A schedule designed to test them

The Nashville Jr. Predators are a full member of the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League (T1EHL), the leading national AAA league. Their season includes showcases and playoffs in Blaine, MN, or Detroit, MI, against some of North America’s best programs. All Tier I (AAA) national-bound teams compete for the Southern Amateur Hockey Association title and then the Southeastern District Championship. At 13O and older, teams also compete for a spot in the USA Hockey National Championships.

T1EHLfull member
13O+national championship eligible

Seen by the people who decide what comes next

The Tier 1 Elite Hockey League (T1EHL) year-end championship weekend in Blaine, Minnesota, is one of the largest scouting events in youth hockey. Along with the super showcase weekends, these events draw more than 100 scouts and coaches each from junior, USHL, and NCAA programs across all divisions. Playing in this league means your player is evaluated in person, repeatedly, by the people who make roster decisions.

100+scouts and coaches per showcase
T1EHL PlayoffsNSC Super Rink

What a Tier I season actually asks of your family

Tier I hockey is a significant commitment, so families should know what to expect before tryouts. The season typically runs from August through March and includes 3–4 practices a week and 6–10 travel weekends. For families relocating to participate, our Billet Program places out-of-town players with carefully vetted host families in Nashville. Financial aid is available through the Jr. Predators Scholarship Fund. If cost is your only concern, please contact us before ruling out Tier I.

6-10travel weekends per season
August - Marchseason length
3-4practices per week

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