The Loudoun Knights are excited to announce another new leadership position for the 2024- 2025 season. Coach Matt Hart will be the joining as the Director of Coaching Development.

Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, and instantly fell in love with the game of hockey when he first started playing at age 6. Throughout his youth, he had the privilege of honing his skills within a single organization, traversing through the ranks from AAA with the West Seneca Wings to Junior "A" with the Buffalo Lightning, and eventually spending two formative years at SUNY Fredonia before hanging up his skates. Shockingly, Matt remembers none of the notable championship victories, but only recalls the camaraderie and mischief shared with his teammates during hotel stays, bus rides, and gatherings at teammates' homes.

"The backbone of any youth hockey organization are the coaches, and adding a huge layer of support and guidance to them will pay huge dividends for the overall product the Knights will offer our players", says Knights Hockey Director, Craig Desjarlais. "Matt is a natural born leader as proven by his decorated career in the Marine Corps, and his extensive career in hockey as a player and a coach. Matt will bring a high level of accountability, knowledge and professionalism to the coaching staff and offer resources rarely seen at the youth coaching level".

Matt's coaching journey started in Okinawa, Japan, where he led a Japanese/US hockey team, witnessing firsthand how the universal language of sports can bridge linguistic and cultural divides. Matt continued his coaching in Woodbridge, VA, and Honolulu, HI, allowing him to gain a wide breadth of experience.

Outside the rink, Matt's dedication extended to a distinguished 17-year career in the Marine Corps, serving with elite reconnaissance and force reconnaissance units. Matt eagerly anticipates leveraging his wealth of leadership experience and hockey background to serve as a resource for the tremendous coaches within the Loudoun Knights organization to make our players better people and hockey players.

Please welcome Matt Hart as the new Director of Coaching Development for the 24/25 Knights season!

Tryouts for the 2024-2025 season begin on March 18 for the 8U-12U players and on April 27th for the 14U -18U players.