There's a new ice hockey coach at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) who is a familiar face on the rink in high school, college and club arenas.
Anthony Nemati — a certified USA Hockey level four coach who began playing ice hockey on a travel team at the age of six and has played for the New Jersey Devils Youth and American Eagles hockey clubs — is the RFH team's new leader, according to a release from RFH.
"The RFH Hockey Program is a great program with a great history," Nemati said in a released statement. "I am looking to instill my passion and respect for the game in the players and in the student body that supports us at every game."
In high school, from 1995 to 1999, Nemati played hockey at the junior varsity and varsity levels for Christian Brothers Academy (CBA).
While a student at Monmouth University he then played with the Ice Hawks Club Hockey Team, serving as captain and president.
As a coach, Nemati's achievements include an appearance at the Jim Dowd High School All-Star Ice Hockey Game while a member of the CBA coaching staff.
While coaching at CBA, he also made two appearances in the NJSIAA State Championship Game at the Prudential Center and earned four Junior Varsity League Championships.
Under his leadership, the CBA team earned a Gold Medal at the JV Holiday Tournament in 2008.
Currently Nemati is an associate coach for the New Jersey Rockets AAA U16 National Team, a Bridgewater-based Youth Hockey Association Team.
He has also served as a coach for the Red-Bank based Generals Bantam and Peewee travel teams, and coached the Bantam A Generals to a CanAm Gold Medal in 2010.
Nemati said that he hopes to impact his players' performances and work ethic both on and off the ice.
"We will do our best to ensure that players reach their potential on the ice and in the classroom as well," he said in the release. "Our coaching staff will place emphasis on academic responsibility and also on the players' roles as ambassadors for the program to the school and community."
Nemati earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History/Education and a Master of Arts degree in History from Monmouth University.
He lives in Aberdeen with his wife Heather and daughters Ava and Alana.
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