Head Coaches

With a lifelong passion for hockey, Coach Cory brings both experience and dedication to developing young players. He began playing the game at five years old and competed at a high level throughout his youth, culminating in his high school career with the Waterloo Warriors.

Cory is currently entering his 6th year coaching youth hockey. His experience as both a long-time player and coach gives him a well-rounded perspective on helping young athletes grow.

Beyond his playing experience, Cory understands the importance of hockey’s impact off the ice. The sport has played a major role in shaping his life, teaching discipline, teamwork, and building lifelong friendships.

Cory is a dedicated family man, living in North Carolina with his wife and their two children, ages 10 and 7. As both a parent and coach, he is committed to creating a positive, supportive, and fun environment where young athletes can develop their skills, confidence, and love for the game.

I fell in love with hockey at the age of five in Worthington, Minnesota, playing outdoors until our town built an indoor rink. The game was introduced by my father, a high school coach who had a strong influence on me both on and off the ice. He emphasized passing, positioning, anticipation, and competing for every puck, while also building confidence through encouragement and honest feedback. His impact is the foundation of my passion for coaching.

I moved to Greensboro in 2003 to begin my career as a Jimmy John’s franchisee and have built my life here with my wife Amy and our two kids, Collins (13) and Bennett (10). In 2023, Bennett joined the GYHA Learn to Play program, and watching his growth and love for the game reignited my desire to get back on the ice and give back to the sport.

My goal is to create a positive, competitive environment where players understand their value within the team and take pride in their development. I believe in focusing on both fundamental skills and hockey IQ through repetition, game situations, and consistent feedback. At the core, I want players to compete with confidence, support their teammates, and enjoy the process while continuing to grow.

Daniel Speeney has been a youth hockey coach with Triad Storm for five years, working with players across all levels up to 12U AA, including the recreational program. During his time at the 12U AA level, his team had a successful season that included a CHL Championship and multiple tournament appearances.

Speeney grew up playing ice hockey in the Northeast, progressing through all levels of youth hockey, including AAA and prep school. He served as a team captain during his playing career and was recognized at the state level in New Jersey. His experience as a player continues to shape his approach behind the bench.

His coaching philosophy centers around three key areas: fun, hard work, and a strong team culture. He focuses on creating a positive, high-energy environment where players can develop their skills through game-based drills and situational play. He also emphasizes effort, consistency, and short, high-intensity shifts to help players build habits that translate into games.

Jack Brady grew up in upstate New York and began playing hockey at the age of four, developing a lifelong passion for the game. He played junior hockey for the Northern Cyclones in New Hampshire before transitioning into coaching.

Brady spent four summers coaching with Can/Am Hockey in Lake Placid and later worked five years with the Arizona Coyotes in hockey development, leading Learn to Play, ball hockey, roller hockey, neurodivergent hockey, and sled hockey programs.

He now serves as Hockey Director for the Triad Hockey Alliance in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he coached the 14U Black team during the 2025–26 season. Brady is committed to developing each player in a positive, high-energy environment, with a focus on hockey IQ, life skills, and systems-based play.

Coach Quakenbush has been behind the bench with Triad Hockey Alliance since his early days coaching 10U and now serves as a coach at the 18U level. Over the years he has worked with players across multiple age groups, helping them grow from fundamentals into fast, confident, and responsible team players. He holds a Level 5 USA Hockey coaching certification, the highest level in the Coaching Education Program, and is committed to staying current with modern player‑development methods and standards. Known for his detail‑oriented, high‑energy practices, he emphasizes compete level, team culture, and teaching players how to prepare the right way on and off the ice.