A native of San Diego, California, David played hockey collegiately at Weber State University before embarking on a brief career as a professional player both in North America and Europe, before eventually transitioning to the business side of hockey, where he has worked for the past seventeen at the professional level, and four years in team management at the junior level.

 

During the past four seasons as General Manager of the Vernal Oilers at the USPHL Premier level, David has helped the Oilers win Northwest Division championships in 2023 and 2024, setting multiple USPHL records in the process. More importantly, the Oilers are responsible for producing twelve tier II advancements, twenty-nine college commitments to both American and Canadian Universities, and thirteen professional contracts both in North America and Europe during David’s tenure at the Tier III level.

Amy grew up in Grand Junction and graduated from Fruita Monument High School before attending Colorado State University. While at CSU, she became one of the first women to join the CSU Women’s Club Ice Hockey team and served as the president of the club for two years. This is where she not only developed a deep love for the sport, but also a love for the community and the amazing people hockey brings together. After earning her degree, Amy spent a decade as a project manager at Intel before shifting her focus back to the community. She returned to hockey, joined a women’s team, and started supporting the Learn to Skate program at River City Sportplex.

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Contact: aszallar@grandjunctionriverhawks.com

Born and raised in Saginaw, Michigan, my journey with sports revolved around being a player, but after high school I pursued my passion for sports at Grand Valley State University, finishing my bachelors degree in Sport Management and earning my Sport Coaching certificate in only 3 years.

My experience in hockey runs deep, including working with the 2024 Memorial Cup Champion Saginaw Spirit of the OHL in marketing, design and corporate sales, as well as serving as the Hockey Tournament Director for the West Michigan Sports Commission. I also completed come freelance work for the USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks.

As the Game Day Operations and Social Media Coordinator am excited to bring in high energy, organization and creativity, making the RiverHawks look as professional as possible, all while putting our team on a pedestal and portraying our team at an NHL standard.

When I’m not crafting content you can find me watching hockey, missing 3 foot putts on the golf course, admiring the mountains, reading the bible, and relaxing with my fiancé and our two cats.

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Contact: gestep@grandjunctionriverhawks.com

Dylan’s passion for hockey began at a young age, sparked by frequent trips to Colorado College games and countless hours spent playing street hockey. A dedicated Colorado Avalanche fan, Dylan’s love for sports led him to pursue an undergraduate degree in Sport Management from Colorado Mesa University. While in college, he gained hands-on experience in sports media, working as a sports anchor for KREX in Grand Junction and serving as a play-by-play analyst for the campus radio station. 

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Outside of his career, Dylan is a devoted husband to his wife, Katy, and a proud father to their two children, McKenna and Colter. Family plays a central role in his life, and he is committed to leading by example, demonstrating the importance of pursuing one’s passions and maintaining a strong sense of purpose in both personal and professional pursuits.

Contact: dmalfatti@grandjunctionriverhawks.com

Shannon Valerio, M.A., C.S.C.S., founder of Valerio Speed Lab and owner of Apogee Hockey Development, is a renowned speed and power skating coach based in the Rocky Mountain region. Her career began as a short track speed skater when she was just 7 years old. During her 20-year career in short-track and inline speed skating, she competed internationally, amassed 14 national titles and eventually landed a contract with a professional racing team. While in college, she took a brief hiatus to play hockey for the University of Denver Women’s ACHA team, eventually becoming a player-coach.

 

In 2010 she began training NCAA and professional hockey players off-ice part-time. Eventually she made her way back to the ice and began working with elite athletes by sharing both on and off-ice skating methods learned during her time as an athlete at the Olympic Training Center. With a track record of coaching and mentoring high school national champions, NCAA Division I athletes, and Stanley Cup winners, she has guided numerous players to the USA Hockey National Development Team and NCAA commitments, including standout players at the University of Denver.

Meghann brings a deep passion for hockey and a wealth of experience when it comes to supporting athletes off the ice. As both a dedicated hockey parent and active player in the River Hawks Adult Hockey League, she’s spent the last four years deeply involved with the Grand Junction Hockey Club and Caprock Hockey. Her hands-on experience has given her a firsthand appreciation of the community and culture that surrounds the sport.

 

In addition to her hockey involvement, Meghann has opened her home to numerous college baseball players and foreign exchange students. Her time as a host parent has shown her just how meaningful and rewarding the billet experience can be—not just for the players, but for the families who welcome them in. She knows the lasting bonds and lifelong memories that can come from offering a home away from home.

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Kevin’s hockey journey began on the ice as a captain for the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, before advancing to play NCAA Division I hockey at Providence College. His leadership and competitive edge as a player now fuel his sharp eye for talent and his drive to help athletes reach their full potential. With over 25 years of experience in player development and on-ice skills training, Kevin has become a trusted name in junior hockey circles.

 

He spent five years as a volunteer assistant coach with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and coached for two seasons in the AJHL with the Walpole Express—now part of the EHL. He has scouted for several high-level programs, including teams in the NAHL, USPHL, EHL, and NCDC. 

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Born and raised in Ventura County, Kane grew up playing AAA hockey with the California Titans before advancing  on to junior hockey with the Utah Outliers. He continued his playing career at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he also served as Vice President of the UNLV hockey team.

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Kane now gives back to the game as the General Manager and Assistant Coach of the Ventura Vikings.