Scouting Staff

Jules Jardine

Jules Jardine – Scout 

Jardine played junior hockey for the Henry Carr Crusaders in the MJBHL where he had 14 points (3 goals and 11 assists) in 37 games. He then played collegiately at Elmira College (where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing) and recorded 115 totals points (17 goals and 98
assists) in 98 NCAA Division III games. He was a two-time NCAA All-American.

After college, he played professionally for three years in Austria as well as in the Central Hockey League (CHL) with the Oklahoma City Blazers. He also played roller hockey.

Jardine has over 25 years of coaching and teaching hockey skills. He was a former head coach in the Jr. Canadiens and Toronto Titans organizations. He was a former Skills and Skating Coach for the Mississauga Ice Dogs and
Toronto St Michaels Majors of the Ontario Hockey League.

The Ontario native also has a movie background. He appeared in the 1986 hockey movie “Youngblood”, and he was a hockey coordinator and stunt double for the movie “Breakaway.”

He is currently the owner and chief instructor of World Class Hockey in Toronto.

Ryan Swain – Scout

Swain is a member of the New Jersey Titans Tier 1 midget coaching staff, as well as a skills coach for players in the New Jersey area. Ryan is a 26 year old New Jersey native who recently finished his playing career at the NCAA D3 level. He now transitioned into a full time head coach with the Titans as well as joining the NAHL staff to assist with player recruiting.

“I am very excited to be on board here at the Titans. With the facility we have access to on an everyday basis here in Middletown, it is a huge separating factor for all midget and junior players. With our mission of in house development and player advancement, this could not be a better opportunity for myself as a coach as well as the players.”
 

Dan Howard – Scout

Growing up in Freehold New Jersey, Dan played his youth hockey for George and Mike Haviland. After playing his high school hockey at Christian Brothers Academy he went on to play juniors for the Walpole Stars and the Bismarck Bobcats. At the University of Delaware he was a 2 time all American and was selected to play for Team USA in the World University Games in Tarvisio, Italy. After college he played 2 years of minor pro with a bunch of stops including the Flint Generals (UHL) and Winston Salem Thunderbirds (SPHL). He retired from Wall Street in 2019 and has been coaching with the Titans Tier 1 midget program since.
 

Dave Bush – Canadian Scout

A native of Ajax, Ontario, Dave played five years of junior hockey with the Pickering Panthers. During that time, he was named the team’s Rookie of the Year, Best Defenseman and Most Valuable Player. Dave then played two years in the OUA with the Ryerson Rams. While playing junior hockey, he was also a power skating instructor for the Frank Miller Power Skating School. Dave has coached minor hockey in Dundas, Ontario for over nine years. Most recently, he has scouted for the La Ronge Ice Wolves of the SJHL and is currently scouting for the Campbellton Tigers of the MHL.

Alec ThierduAlec Thieda – Scout

Alec grew up in Rochester Hills, Michigan. He played youth hockey with Detroit Little Caesars AAA (Midget Minor and Midget Major). He moved on to play two years in the NAHL (Motor City Machine & Texas Tornado/Kenai River Brown Bears) and one year in the OJHL. Thieda played four years of NCAA Division 3 hockey at Norwich University (Northfield, VT). He was an ACHA 2nd Team All-American Defenseman, Senior Captain, NEHC First Team All-Conference, and one of five finalists for the Joe Concannon Award as a Senior (best American-born Division II/III player in New England), NEHC All-Rookie Team, and two-time NEHC All-Academic team. He skated in 114 games, scored 9 goals and 50 assists for 59 career points.

Thieda Joined the Norwich coaching staff in 2015-2016 as an Assistant coach. He assisted with on-ice practice, player skill development, analyze and break down game video for practices and pre-game scouting and also served as the bench coach for forwards during games. He helped coach Norwich to a National Championship during the 2016-2017 season. Thieda also earned an MBA at Norwich while coaching and working full-time.

He is currently an 18U AAA Assistant Coach with Victory Honda in Detroit, MI. He helped coach them to a 2019 Michigan State Championship. Thieda also is working as a Senior Ice Hockey Recruiting Coach at NCSA (last four years) to help educate, provide realistic opportunities, and continue to provide guidance to student-athletes who are looking to navigate the ice hockey recruiting process. He has been able to place numerous players into realistic spots for both Junior and College hockey, while also providing hours of ice hockey educational classes and individually helping families 1 on 1 with the recruiting process.