The Loudoun Knights are excited to announce a new role in the organization. Neil Giarratana will be the Club’s Head of Coaching Development and Club Mentorship. “Neil was honored last year as a regional winner with the PCA (Positive Coaching Alliance) as a reflection of his amazing coaching, dedication, and positive mentorship he brought to the Loudoun Knights”, says Loudoun Knights Hockey Director Craig Desjarlais. “Coach Giarratana really understands what coaching youth sports is all about and what life lessons we are trying to teach these young athletes. Coaches are given such an amazing platform to positively impact lives, and without question Neil is the best coach to fulfill this role helping lead and mentor our coaches and players”.

Coach Giarratana began his coaching career in the DC area in 1990, coaching AA teams for NOVA and Reston Raiders (where he also established the first goaltending program for the Raiders) before coming to the Little Caps AAA program in 1997. In 2000, he relocated to Keene, New Hampshire and was tapped as head coach for the Brattleboro Union (VT) High School varsity boys hockey team. Following his time at Brattleboro, he served as Coaching Director and President of Keene Youth Hockey Club. Giarratana rebuilt the foundation of the club by implementing a Skill Development Program, Goaltender Development Program, Coach Mentoring Program and multi-division, cross-ice house league to complement the AA travel program which led to a generation of hockey players earning the first state high school championship in Keene’s history. He briefly coached with the NH Avalanche AAA program before returning to northern Virginia in 2012 when he was once again tapped by the Little Caps to lead several more AAA teams. 

Most recently, Giarratana coached the Loudoun Knights 12U Black team and was honored as a 2022 Regional Winner of PCA’s Double-Goal Coach® Award.

Giarratana is Level 4 certified and has been a guest speaker at both Level 2 and Level 3 USA Hockey Coaching Clinics. He served on the NH Hockey "Grow the Game" committee and has served as head coach for three PeeWee Quebec Tournament teams. Over his 25+ year coaching career, Giarratana has coached multiple prep, D1 college and professional players. He and his family reside in Boyce, Virginia.