NATE HANDRAHAN

Head Coach & GM

Nate Handrahan will lead the Mavericks into the 2020-21 season, his first as the Columbus Mavericks’ Head Coach and General Manager.

The Niagara Falls, Ontario native brings a wealth of high-level playing and coaching experience to the Mavericks. After spending three seasons as an Assistant Coach at Niagara University, he moved to Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, PA where he spent two years as the Assistant Coach of the Mens NCAA D1 program, before being promoted to Head Coach of the Women’s Division 1 team. Handrahan spent 5 seasons as the Head Coach of the RMU Women’s team, before moving on to take the Head Coach position of the Women’s Division 1 program at The Ohio State University, where he coached for another 4 seasons. During his time coaching at the NCAA D1 level, he played a part in recruiting and developing multiple professional players, Olympians and All-Americans.

After winning multiple championships with the Niagara Falls Canucks of the GOJHL, Handrahan continued his on-ice success at the NCAA Division 1 level for the Niagara University Purple Eagles, where he was again part of building a championship program which culminated in a trip to the NCAA Elite Eight in the 1999-2000 season. Following college, Handrahan played two seasons of professional hockey in the ECHL before returning to his alma mater to begin his coaching career.

Away from the rink, Handrahan resides in Hilliard, OH with his wife, Kim, and three daughters.

BRIAN THOMPSON

Assistant Coach

Brian Thompson heads into his second season with the Mavericks, working with the team both on and off the ice, as Assistant Coach.

Thompson, who is an alumni of the Columbus Junior Hockey programs (Columbus Stars and Columbus Jr. Blue Jackets), is a native of Westerville, OH and grew up playing in the Columbus youth hockey community. Prior to joining the Mavericks, he spent 15 years coaching at the youth and high school levels, including the Columbus Blue Jackets Hockey School, Oklahoma City Hockey Association, and CCYHA Girls and Special Needs programs. His most recent coaching stints were as the Assistant Coach of Hilliard High School and Head Coach of Westerville High School.

Thompson played ACHA Division 1 hockey for the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos, leading the team to their first ever ACHA Final Four appearance. Prior to his collegiate career, he played junior hockey in the Central States Hockey League for the Mavericks’ predecessors, the Columbus Stars and Columbus Jr. Blue Jackets.

Away from the rink, Thompson resides in Downtown Columbus and enjoys spending time with his family and dog, Jack.

JOE BOGARD

Assistant Coach

Joe Bogard enters his first season as an assistant coach with the Columbus Mavericks.

Bogard, who is a Cincinnati, OH native, spent his youth hockey days playing at the AA and AAA levels in Southwest Ohio. Following high school, Bogard spent 4 years serving in the U.S. military. At the end of his active duty service, Joe enrolled at the Ohio State University and is an alumni of the Buckeyes’ ACHA D2 team.

Prior to joining the Mavericks coaching staff, Joe spent 5 seasons coaching in the Newark Generals youth and high school programs, including coaching under Mavericks Head Coach and GM, Nate Handrahan.

Away from the rink, Bogard resides in Granville, OH with his wife, A’Laura, and two children.

BAILEY SEAGRAVES

Goalie Coach

Bailey Seagraves will be working with the Mavericks netminders this season as goalie coach.

Seagraves, a USPHL Alumni himself, is a native of Hilliard, OH. In addition to coaching the Mavericks, he is currently the emergency backup goalie for the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets. Seagraves grew up playing in the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets organization, before moving on to play for the New Jersey Hitmen and Springfield Pics of the USPHL Premier league and then the Kenai River Brown Bears of the NAHL.

ANTHONY PERSINO, M.D.

Team Physician

Dr. Anthony Persino will be half of the team that keeps the Mavericks healthy during the inaugural 2019-20 season as the Team Physician. 



Persino, who is also an alumni of the Columbus Junior Hockey programs (Columbus Jr. Blue Jackets), is a native of Chicago, IL. Persino completed his undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University and Northern Illinois University before completing his Master’s Degree at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago, IL. Following his Master’s Degree, he completed medical school at Rosalind Franklin and his residency in anesthesiology at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. Persino recently moved back to Columbus to take a position with a private practice in town.

Persino played junior hockey for the Mavericks’ predecessors, the Columbus Jr. Blue Jackets of the Central States Hockey League before shifting his focus to a career in medicine.

Away from the rink, Persino resides in Dublin, OH with his wife, Ashley and daughter, Aubrey.

JOHN SNYDER, D.P.T.

Team Physical Therapist

John Snyder, DPT will be the second half of the team that keeps the Mavericks healthy during the inaugural 2019-20 season as the Team Physical Therapist.



Snyder, who grew up playing hockey in Central Ohio, is a native of Powell, OH. Snyder received his bachelors degree in Exercise Science from Youngstown State University, before moving on to complete his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Snyder is a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist as well as a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist with a passion for hockey, including having published several articles and speaking nationally and internationally on the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of hockey-specific injuries. Snyder is currently the Clinic Manager at Active Physical Therapy in Hilliard, Ohio where he specializes in the treatment of sports injuries.

Snyder played ACHA Division 1 hockey for Youngstown State University. Prior to his collegiate career, he played junior hockey in the Central States Hockey League for the Cincinnati Cyclones and for the Ohio Jr Blue Jackets AAA program.

Away from the rink, Snyder resides in Columbus, OH with his wife, Lauren, and son, Owen.

J.T. SEITZ

Equipment Manager

J.T. Seitz will keep the Mavericks playing their best this year in his first season as the Mavericks' Equipment Manager.

Seitz is a native of Upper Arlington, OH who attended Wellington High School. J.T. grew up playing hockey in the CCYHA program and played high school hockey with the Hilliard Hockey Club, where he served as the Team Captain during his Senior Season.

Away from the rink, J.T. is currently studying at Columbus State.