TESTIMONIALS
Steve E. (Massachusetts)
I’ve known Coach Chic for over 40 years. I was a youth hockey player who played and learned from coach from age 12 on. I remember with excitement how coach came home from studying in Russia in 1979 and was eager to share what he learned from one of the best hockey programs in the world. I remember “explosive leg strength” exercises and the importance of stickhandling, so much so that I always had a hockey stick in my hand. Coach was the owner and creator of New England Hockey which operated for years in southern Massachusetts. 1000’s of kids of all levels have learned the game of hockey through his programs. He can claim to have developed many very successful high school, college and a fair number of professional hockey players as students. Coach made homemade tools to improve coordination, strength, stick skills and shooting. He worked with me on my stride and talked about not wasting any movements and lengthening my stride. I would say Coach Chic is the most knowledgeable and fun coach I have ever known. He is an authority on everything hockey. Coach is still a constant student as well as a teacher. My biggest joy was watching him coach my son years after coaching me. He still has the same enthusiasm and excitement that I remember from 40 years ago. If coach shares information, know that it is the best information available. I am fortunate to have been coached by him and to still know him.
Eric F. (Massachusetts and New Hampshire)
Long ago, before the internet, smart phones and super computers there was Coach Chighisola asking questions that no-one else thought of. He understood that by building a foundation of ideal key fundamentals and applying hard work results would be achieved. I listened, learned and improved... From my foundation I went on to compete in 4 Olympic Games in Speedskating earning two silver medals and a World championship. I’m so grateful that my father brought me to Coach Chic’s skating clinics and later he became my coach. He always made it fun and challenging, while instilling that we needed to train smarter each and every day. I can’t thank him enough and highly recommended this amazing man.
Frank J. (Wisconsin)
Coach Dennis Chighisola brings alot to the table in the many decades of experience that he has teaching people of all ages and skill sets the finer points of hockey. And more importantly, he does so with just the right combination of enthusiasm, firmness, and patience. Not only did "Coach Chic" (as he is known by those of us who have flourished under his tutelage) take the time to impart all of his wisdom to my teammates and I, he also told us how to be responsible, mature, and successful young men and women. If you're in search of a man who takes as much interest in the teaching of life lessons as he does in teaching lessons in stickhandling, shooting, and teamwork, then you've found him.
Jason T. (Massachusetts)
My summers when I was a kid, it was only one thing I looked forward to. It was Coach Chighisola's summer camps. I have never learned as much as I did from his camps, and I still remember to this day, far beyond and above any coach I had through all the years of playing hockey. I cannot express how much his words, his style, and his approach to hockey has resonated throughout my life in the game. Even after I gave up playing to focus on my family, I coached young kids for a few years, and all his teachings and words resonated and I tried to do my best to continue on his knowledge to my players.... this guy is one in a million. I cannot say enough for this man. He truly is a legend.
Jim M. (Rhode Island)
Coach Chic has been an instrumental piece of the hockey community at all levels. I have known Coach Chic since I was 6 years old when I first attended one of his Summer Camps on Cape Cod in MA. His desire, dedication, knowledge, passion, enthusiasm and love for the game emulated through his pours with every hockey player he ever worked with. He is a huge part of my success as a player, a goalie, a coach and as a person.
Matt F. (Massachusetts)
As a former player and current coach, I can say with certainty that Coach Chic is the best Coach that I’ve ever come across. He was my youth hockey coach more than 30 years ago and then my go-to resource when I joined the ranks myself. Coach Chic does a fantastic job of breaking down key concepts and transferring his coaching experiences to help reinforce fundamentals of the game.
Todd S. (Massachusetts)
Coach Chic was instrumental in my all around skills both skating & hockey knowledge. Most importantly Coach Chic taught me how to love the
game of hockey. (He helped me be a good coach/teacher of the game. Forever thankful)
Bob H. (Massachusetts)
Coach Chic has an extensive knowledge of hockey and a passion for teaching. He made me a better, stronger and more complete hockey player,
but he also made sure that I continued to love the game.
Charlie T. (Massachusetts)
A pass is only a pass if it is caught. The power of your stride comes from contact with the ice, minimize the air time. Hockey is not a series of random acts, play with purpose. I could fill the page with the teaching I’ve received from Mr Chic, but learning to be a respectful, competitive, hard working, young man, growing up in the 70’s and 80’s was his most valuable lesson.
Douglas S. (Massachusetts)
When I realized my pipe dream of becoming a professional hockey player was about to come true I turned to Coach Chic knowing my skating
ability needed immediate and extreme attention. Coach Chic definitely helped me accomplish my journey by turning this pond skater into an
acceptable minor league player and I will always endorse his programs.
Anthony D’. (Beverly, MA)
Coach Chighisola clearly has a passion for the game, a passion for coaching, and this reflects in his attention to detail and how he breaks the game down!
Janet D. (Massachusetts)
Coach Chic helped develop my son's hockey and skating skills from a very early age -- he became a very great skater and went on to play college hockey and in the ECHL. He also worked in Coach Chic’s summer camps showing other kids the drills and skills to develop into good hockey players. I do believe that Coach Chic gave him a great foundation in hockey.
Meaghan F. (Massachusetts)
Coach Chic was a major reason that I became the hockey player that I was. His knowledge and coaching skills transformed my game and pushed me to be my absolute best. He is an outstanding man who truly molded my skills and love for hockey that took me all the way through a successful four year college hockey career. I was lucky enough to work with him in some of the most transformative and impactful years as an athlete. I am forever grateful for the years I spent as his player.
Dom B. (Hong Kong)
If you're serious about taking your game to the next level, you should definitely check out Coach Dennis! His experience and knowledge are second to none and he's clearly passionate about developing hockey players
Kenny A, (Boston, MA)
I started working for Coach Chic in the Summer of '97 as his Strength Coach at his local Hockey Camps. I was in charge of the kids conditioning and also he trusted me with a postion on the ice to help teach his philosophies as a Master Coach/ Trainer. As time went by I realized that his exercise science background and his hockey experience as a player and coach was different than any other coach I've worked with. He broke down the way players skated, shot the puck, and made the save by filming and carefully reviewing their mechanics. Coach Chic and I go way back and I still to this day remember lessons he taught me and I implement them when coaching and training my players. If you want to learn from one of the best, please talk to Dennis.
Joe M. (Massachusetts)
For whatever it's worth to you Coach. I'm no pro player but I love hockey. I just wanted you to know that you made an impact on my life as a believer in hardwork and a lover of the sport. Thank you Coach. You were a positive influence in my life. I can't say enough.
Cathy C. (Pennsylvania)
We met Coach Chic when our son, Tim, was 7. It was his first “real” hockey camp, and he soaked it all in. The camp was visiting from Massachusetts to PA, and we were fortunate that Tim thrived under Coach Chic’s Russian-styled “fun-danental” training styles. Tim developed excellent skating and puck-handling skills over the next three summers, and enjoyed every camp experience. Today, he is a pro player, has retained the fundamentals that Coach Chic instilled in him as a young lad. We have maintained a great friendship for more than 25 years.
Tomm T. (Cape Cod, MA)
Coach Chic was my coach as a teen. As I've moved into coaching myself, I often find myself looking for inspiration and advice from his vast knowledge of the game and training. I coach for Special Hockey of Massachusetts. Thank you Coach Chic for all you do for the love of Ice hockey.
Kevin Croke (Providence, R.I.)
As a young father of a youth hockey player I came across Dennis Chigasola, aka " Coach Chic" about 25 years ago. I was intrigued that his commitment to learn the secrets of Eastern Block hockey led him to attend the Moscow Institute for Sport & Physical Culture in the Old Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War!
What Coach Chic brought back from his time in Moscow was 20 years ahead of what we were being taught in the USA. Whether mastering the forward stride, or or developing advanced stickhandling techniques, Coach Chic has the knowledge and the talent to teach his students calmly and supportively.
His ability to prepare his players to expect the unexpected and more often than not be successful in their execution is second to no one. Equipping his students with the skills and understanding of the game to move them to the next level is what Coach Chic does best. If you're looking to advance your game, I fully endorse Coach Chic!
Glenn Brue
Coach Chic is a tremendous resource for all coaches. He tells it like it is and leads you in the right direction to becoming a better coach. He gives great suggestions and engages you in the problem solving process. I can't thank him enough!
What Coach Chic brought back from his time in Moscow was 20 years ahead of what we were being taught in the USA. Whether mastering the forward stride, or or developing advanced stickhandling techniques, Coach Chic has the knowledge and the talent to teach his students calmly and supportively.
His ability to prepare his players to expect the unexpected and more often than not be successful in their execution is second to no one. Equipping his students with the skills and understanding of the game to move them to the next level is what Coach Chic does best. If you're looking to advance your game, I fully endorse Coach Chic!
Andy Borowsky
Pleasure speaking with "Coach Chic!" Fun to chat with, and he is incredibly knowledgeable in regard to on and off ice training.