
Executive Board
Northern CT Hockey
The formation of this Executive Board marks a pivotal moment in the growth of our Northern CT Hockey programs. As we continue to expand and evolve, it is essential to have a focused and organized structure to support the success of our players and coaches. The board will work closely with our coaches and operations teams to oversee all aspects of the hockey programs from talent development and coaching excellence to program growth and community engagement. This team will help guide our strategic direction and ensure the programs remain aligned with our core values of integrity, passion for the game, and a commitment to excellence.
What to Expect from the Executive Board:
Guidance & Oversight: The board will provide strategic oversight to ensure the programs are aligned with the needs of our players, coaches, and families. Their focus will be on long-term growth, player development, and enhancing the overall experience for everyone involved.
Support for Coaches and Players: By offering improved coaching development resources, establishing clear goals for player progression, and fostering a positive,competitive environment, the board will help elevate our hockey programs to new heights.
Enhanced Communication & Transparency: The board will foster improved communication channels between coaches, team staff, and parents. Expect regular updateson our progress including clearly outlined player, coach, and parent expectations as well as documented tryout policies, operating standards, and bylaws. We believe that an open-door policy for feedback and suggestions is critical for our success.
Community Engagement: One of the key focuses of the board is to enhance our hockey community, ensuring that we remain a place where players, coaches, and families come together to support one another and celebrate the game.
Meet the Board
Brian Riley, Senior Advisor
Brian Riley enters his 21st season at the helm in 2024-25, after being named Army hockey’s 16th head coach of the program in 2004. In August 2024, Riley announced that this upcoming campaign will be his final season at the helm of Army Hockey. Following 14 years as an assistant to his brother Rob and a lifetime of hockey education from his father Jack, Brian knew all about the U.S. Military Academy.
The knowledge, preparation and hard work have all paid off for Brian as he adds to the Riley legacy and Army hockey. Just the third Army hockey coach in the past 74 years, Brian Riley has made his mark on a program coached by his father and brother in his past 20 seasons at the helm.
A four-time Atlantic Hockey Association Coach of the Year, more than any other coach in the conference's history, he has also led the program to its first regular season championship in program history.
Eric Lang, Senior Advisor
Under Eric Lang's leadership, AIC Hockey has experienced unprecedented success. The team won four consecutive AHA Regular Season Titles (2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22) and three AHA Tournaments (2019, 2021, 2022; 2020 was not held due to the COVID-19 Pandemic) and reached the NCAA Tournament in each of those three seasons. The team has been nationally ranked at the conclusion of each of the most recent four seasons. He coached the program's first two Division I All-American selections in Blake Christensen '20 and Brennan Kapcheck '21 and led AIC in 2019 to an upset of then-No. 1 St. Cloud State University in the NCAA Tournament, the first time a 16-seed making its NCAA.
Nielsson Arcibal, CT Nor'Easter Junior General Manager, Head Coach
Arcibal joins the Nor’Easter from the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, where he was recently named Video Coach for the 2024–25 season. Prior to that, he spent two seasons on staff at American International College (AIC)—his alma mater—serving as Director of Hockey Operations and later as Assistant Coach.
Scott Schaller, President, Northern CT Hockey
Scott Schaller, President, joined Northern CT Hockey as Program Director in December 2024. Scott's responsibilities include full oversight of both the Nor'easter Boys and Northern Lights Girls programs. Scott reports directly to the Executive Board. A long-time team manager and scheduler, Scott joined the organization last spring in helping to launch our 13O Tier 1 National Bound team with Eric Lang. Scott quickly got involved with all facets of the Nor'easter full season program from scheduling to equipment to additional programming.
Shannon Turner, CT Lights Program Director
Shannon Turner is a retired professional hockey player and current coach with a distinguished career spanning youth, collegiate, and professional levels. A standout defender, she graduated from Bishop Strachan School in Toronto, Ontario, and was a key member of Team Ontario, winning gold medals in 2009 and 2010 while earning the title of Top Defenseman in Canada in 2010. She represented Canada internationally, securing gold medals with the U18 team at the 2010 World Championships in Chicago and with the U22 team at the 2013 MECCO Cup in Germany.