Casey Kirley
Head Coach and General Manager
Casey Kirley was announced as the inaugural head coach and general manager of the Watertown Shamrocks on May 12, 2024.
Kirley joined the Shamrocks with a bevy of coaching experience throughout the NAHL, most recently with the Wisconsin Windigo where he served as the Associate Head Coach (2023-24) and as an assistant (2022-23). He was pivotal to the success of the Windigo, helping lead them to a Midwest best 39 wins in 2022-23 and their first playoff series win in franchise history.
His resume also features a winning pedigree. He helped lead the Shreveport Mudbugs to a 2018 Robertson Cup Championship in his first year in the league as an assistant. Overall, as an assistant in the NAHL, Kirley’s teams have amassed a 172-93-17-18 record — collecting a .560 winning percentage and a .674 points percentage.
Kirley’s journey in hockey is marked by a series of progressive roles climbing up the ranks. Prior to his time with the Windigo, he also served as an assistant for the Minnesota Magicians (NAHL, 2021-22), Trine University (NCAA DIII, 2019-20), the Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL, 2017-2019), the North Iowa Bulls as both an assistant coach (2015-16) and assistant General Manager/Director of Player Personnel (2016-17) during their time as an NA3HL franchise, and the Great Falls Americans (NA3HL). His off ice career has also featured stops with the Sioux Falls Stampede as a scout (2016-17) and working with the USA Select 15’s program (2019-2021).
As a player, the Hayward, WI native played for a handful of teams in the NAHL spending parts of two seasons between the Kenai River Brown Bears, Springfield Jr. Blues, Janesville Jets and the Alexandria Blizzard. Following his junior career, he advanced to the NCAA DIII level playing all four years collegiately at the University of Wisconsin-Stout (2010-2014). During his final season at Wisconsin-Stout, Kirley was joined by his brother, Nolan, who was entering his freshman season with the Blue Devils. In his four seasons, Kirley appeared in 84 career games.
Griff Jeszka
Assistant Coach
Email: assistant.coach@watertownshamrocks.com
Jeszka was added to the Shamrocks coaching staff ahead of the organizations inaugural season in 2024-25.
Jeszka, a native of Muskego, WI, comes to Watertown with a load of playing experience and a year of coaching in the North American Hockey League. During the 2023-24 season, made his debut behind the bench as an assistant with the Kenai River Brown Bears.
As a player, Jeszka’s career features a long resume having spent a decade playing post high school. A graduate of Marquette University High, he advanced to the NAHL straight out of high school spending three years in the league from 2013-2016. He Debuted with the Coulee Region Chill for parts of two seasons before he was dealt to Corpus Christi and then closed out his junior career with the Brookings Blizzard where he broke out with 48 points in 59 games.
Jeszka committed to the University of Massachusetts (NCAA DI) where he spent two seasons with the Minutemen before transferring to Merrimack College (NCAA DI). After his collegiate career, Jeszka signed with the Worcester Railers of the ECHL in 2020. He spent parts of the next three years playing in the ECHL and the SPHL with the Tulsa Oilers, Pensacola Ice Flyers, Orlando Solar Bears, Indy Fuel, Iowa Heartlanders, Kansas City Mavericks, and Maine Mariners.
Justin Kirchevel
Assistant Coach
Email: assistant.coach2@watertownshamrocks.com
Justin Kirchhevel, a native of Brookings, South Dakota, joined the coaching staff ahead of the 2025-26 season. Justin brings a wealth of experience in hockey, with involvement spanning from grassroots development to the collegiate level, and now looks forward to adding his knowledge to the Shamrocks organization.
After his time playing at Penn State (NCAA DI), Justin moved directly into coaching, taking on the role of Varsity Head Coach in Brookings. His success in this position led him to North Dakota, where he became Fargo’s first full-time Hockey Director. In 2018, he returned to his hometown of Brookings to fill the newly created position. Under Kirchhevel’s tutelage, the Rangers have experienced remarkable success in South Dakota and on the national stage, including four varsity league championships and five varsity state championships—four of which were consecutive. The Rangers have also made five appearances at the USA Hockey High School Nationals, finishing as runners-up in both 2023 and 2024.
In his early playing days, Kirchhevel led the Rangers in scoring and to back-to-back varsity state championships in his eighth grade and freshman year. At the start of his sophomore year, he moved to Colorado to play AAA hockey and was selected by the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) in the Futures Draft, as well as tendered by the Springfield Jr. Blues (NAHL). He made his mark the following year by leading the rookie scoring at the NAHL Showcase earning a call-up to the Omaha Lancers (USHL). Despite setbacks from a burst appendix and a broken wrist in Omaha, Justin took advantage of a fresh start when he joined the St. Louis Bandits (NAHL) for the 2008-09 season. He scored 51 points and posted a +32 rating over 55 games, helping his team capture the South Division and the Robertson Cup.
The following year, Kirchhevel was named team captain, selected to the NAHL Showcase All-Tournament Team, and the North Exposure All-Tournament Team before being traded to the Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL) who were poised to go deep in the playoffs. In Alaska, he was selected to the West Division Top Prospects Team and maintained a point per game average, but narrowly missed hoisting the Robertson Cup in back to back seasons with a loss in the finals. During the Ice Dogs playoff run, he committed to Alaska-Anchorage (NCAA DI) in the WCHA, where he scored two goals in his first game against Mankato. However, a re-aggravated injury sidelined him for much of the season, which prompted a transfer to Penn State, becoming one of the first players recruited by Guy Gadowsky for the Division I era in Hockey Valley.
Justin’s accomplishments have been recognized through his induction into both the Brookings Rangers and South Dakota Hockey Hall of Fame. Notably, he was the first player from South Dakota to be drafted and compete in the NAHL and USHL. He also became one of the first two players from the South Dakota to play Division I hockey, alongside Matt Farris who enrolled at Princeton the same year.
Justin currently resides in Brookings with his wife, Lindsie, and their three children: Mauer, Riya, and Riggins. He commutes to Watertown daily to assist Kirley and Jeszka with coaching responsibilities. Justin continues to serve as Hockey Director in Brookings and as an Assistant Coach for the Shamrocks.
Garrett Nieto
Goaltending Coach
Garrett Nieto, from Yorba Linda, California, joined the Shamrocks as their inaugural goaltending coach in 2024. He grew up playing youth hockey for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks, California Wave, and Los Angeles Jr. Kings. After his first year of U16AAA Garrett was named to the USA Warren Strelow National Goalie Development Camp for his birth year. He was drafted to the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the 2014 USHL Draft in the 11th round, 168th overall pick. He was drafted again by the Cedar Rapids Roughriders in the 2018 USHL draft in the 13th round, 206th overall pick.
After his second year of U16AAA he moved on to play 2 years of junior in Wenatchee, Washington for the Wenatchee Wild in the BCHL. After his rookie season he received the honor of being on the BCHL All-Rookie team. He went on to play 2 more years of junior hockey in Janesville, Wisconsin for the Janesville Jets in the NAHL. He earned a spot on the 2018 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament. He later switched his commitment to play for Union College (NCAA-D1) in the ECHC. After playing 3 years of college hockey for Union College he played his final year of college hockey for Wilkes University (NCAA-D3) in the UCHC.
Once his playing career was over, he began his coaching career where he is now with the Plymouth Goaltending Director for MEGA. Alongside his work with MEGA and the Shamrocks, he works as a goalie coach for the Granite City Lumberjacks in the NA3HL in 2023. Additionally, he serves as the remote goalie coach for the King’s College Women’s Hockey Team (NCAA-D3).
Sam Cappadora
Head Athletic Trainer
Sam Cappadora joined the Shamrocks ahead of their inaugural season in 2024. She joins the Shamrocks after spending the previous year with the Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL).
A native of Wisconsin, Cappadora attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where she graduated with a BS and MS degree in Athletic Training. She takes pride in working with athletes and helping them through injuries to get back into a position to play and compete again.
In her time with the Wilderness, Cappadora worked as a student under the supervision of another Stevens Point graduate. That experience allowed her to make connections throughout the NAHL and led to her reaching out to the Prairie Lakes Healthcare System to see if they had an opening with the Shamrocks.
Nick Hanson
Junior Equipment Manager
Nick Hanson joined the Shamrocks in their 2nd season as their Junior Equipment Manager. Nick is from Watertown, SD, and in the 6th grade. In his free time, Nick enjoys playing the drums in his Dad’s band, and he is excited to be part of the Shamrocks team. He is grateful for the chance to assist Shamrocks coaches and players.
Brett Wall
Director of Scouting
Brett Wall joined the Shamrocks as their Director of Scouting during the 2025 offseason.
Wall, who is a native of Huber Heights, OH, joins the Shamrocks with a bustling history working in and playing hockey. He began coaching in a full-time capacity on 2016-17 when he was hired as the head coach and general manager of the Hudson Havoc in the USPHL and holding that role for five seasons. He has since served as the bench boss at NCAA Division III Lawrence University, in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) for the Janesville Jets, and currently for the Chicago Fury 18U AAA program.
As a player, Wall played in the NAHL and served as the team captain for the Alexandria Blizzard for a season. He then advanced to play college hockey at NCAA Division 1 Lake Superior State where he spent four seasons. Following college, he played three full seasons professionally for Dayton in the Federal Prospects League.
Tony Huberty
Minnesota Scout
Tony Huberty grew up in Hermantown, MN, where he developed a passion for playing hockey in youth and high school programs. After graduating, he continued his hockey career at the junior level in Arizona and Wisconsin, eventually going on to play Division III college hockey.
Over the past five years, Tony has been actively involved in coaching, working with youth programs in Esko and Cloquet. He currently serves as an assistant coach for the boys Cloquet Lumberjacks High School team.
Tony lives in Esko, MN, with his wife, Kim, and their two children, Vinny and Annetta. He comes from a proud hockey family with deep roots in the Duluth, MN area and is excited to be part of the staff, bringing his experience and passion to help the program continue to grow.
Marc Brodeur
Western US Scout
Raised in Chateauguay, Quebec, Canada, Marc Brodeur played youth and high school hockey in the area. Later, Brodeur advanced to play in the BCHL for the Vernon Lakers in 1992 and also the Massena Americans of the CCHL. He also played for Champlain College for three seasons.
From College, Brodeur then played professionally for the Chatham Wheels of the Colonial Hockey League and spent time in the Sunshine Hockey league in Florida and the Ligue Nord Americane du Hockey in Quebec, Canada. (LNAH)
Brodeur is presently the Head Coach and General Manager for the Butte Irish of the NA3HL.
Podge Turnbull
Wisconsin Scout
From Hayward, WI, Joshua “Podge” Turnbull joined the Shamrocks’ staff ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Turnbull is currently with the Team Wisconsin 18u program playing in the Minnesota Elite League. He also has spent time working on the Team Wisconsin 14u and 15u staffs. His coaching background also includes a seven year stint as an assistant coach at Hayward High School, as well as participating in WAHA and Central District Camps.
As a player, Turnbull spent two years with the Duluth East Greyhounds in the Minnesota State High School League before joining the Waterloo Black Hawks in the USHL. With the Black Hakws, he won an Anderson cup and a runner up finish for the Clark Cup. He was then selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the 5th round, 137th overall, in the 2007 NHL Draft. Collegiately, he played four years at the University of Wisconsin highlighted by a runner up finish in the 2010 NCAA National Championship game. Following college, he then played three seasons professionally split between the ECHL, CHL, EIHL, and SPHL, winning the President’s Trophy with the Pensacola Ice Flyers in 2014.
Nolan Kirley
Northeast US Scout
Nolan Kirley joined the Shamrocks as the organizations Northeast United States Scout ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Kirley, who is the brother of Shamrocks Head Coach and General Manager Casey Kirley, also hails from Hayward, Wisconsin where he played for his local high school team before advancing into junior and collegiate hockey.
In junior hockey, Kirley spent three full seasons in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) playing for the Austin Bruins from 2010-2013. He appeared in 163 career games, a then franchise record, and still holds the Bruin franchise record with 410 career penalty minutes. Following his time in the NAHL, Kirley spent four seasons playing collegiately at NCAA DIII University of Wisconsin-Stout including an opening season in which he played with his brother, Casey. In his career at Stout, he played in 85 games amassing five goals and 17 total points.
Jo Hopp 
Mental Performance Coach
Contact: jhopp@alghockey.com / 612-961-8065 / https://www.alghockey.com /
Jo Hopp, PhD, is the Founder, Executive Director, and Lead Coach and Advisor of ALG Hockey. She is a certified Mental Performance Mastery Coach and holds a Certificate in Mental Health in Elite Sport from the International Olympic Committee. Before starting ALG Hockey, Jo spent 16 years as a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Stout, where she held several leadership roles, including NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative and President of the NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative Association. During her tenure, she established academic success and leadership development programs for student-athletes. Jo earned her PhD from the University of Washington and her BS from Miami University.
Jo founded ALG Hockey in 2023 with a mission to prepare athletes for peak academic and athletic performance in college by strengthening player development in academic engagement, mental performance, and leadership throughout their junior hockey experience. Through individualized mental performance and academic coaching, Jo supports players and teams to ensure both immediate success on the ice and readiness for a successful transition to college. ALG Hockey serves players across all levels of junior hockey, offering team programs, individual player development initiatives, and leadership development courses.
Jo lives in Maple Grove, Minnesota, with her husband, Ryan, and is the mother of four children, three of which are collegiate student-athletes, including one NAHL alumnus. A former college gymnast at Miami University, Jo enjoys reading, traveling, and hiking.