Meet Our Advisors
As a collective, Paul Cannata, Bob Deraney, and Dave Peters have been guiding athletes toward bright futures for over 90 years. Whether your goal is to play hockey at a private school or compete at the collegiate level, their experience and support can help you get there.
Answers to frequently asked questions can be found at the bottom of this page. See college and private school acceptances in the advising dropdown.
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PAUL CANNATA
ADVISOR TO BOY HOCKEY PLAYERS
EDUCATION
Roxbury Latin School (Class of 1985)
Hamilton College (Class of 1989)
COACHING CAREER
35+ years of coaching and playing experience in NCAA Division I and New England Prep hockey.
Milton Academy (2003–2023): Head Coach of Boys’ Varsity Hockey for 20 years.
Inherited a struggling program with a 3–27 record in his first season and transformed it into a perennial Top 10 New England contender.
Led Milton to:
Five New England Elite Eight Tournament appearances
New England Championship title in 2011
New England Championship game appearance in 2016
Three Independent School League (ISL) titles
Flood-Marr Tournament championship in 2023, Milton’s first since 1982.
NCAA COACHING CAREER
Assistant Coach at Northeastern University for six seasons (1996–2002).
Also coached at American International College and North Adams State College.
Played a key role in developing collegiate talent in the Hockey East Conference.
USA HOCKEY INVOLVEMENT
Assistant Coach, U.S. Select 17 Team – Gold medal winners in Fussen, Germany (2001).
Head Coach, U.S. Select 16 Team – Gold medal winners in Prague, Czech Republic (2002).
Served as an evaluator, head coach, and assistant coach for multiple USA Hockey Select Teams (14–17 age groups) at development festivals in Rochester, NY, St. Cloud, MN, and Stockholm, Sweden
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Named New England Prep Coach of the Year twice: in 2011 and 2023.
Part of the Hockey East Coaching Staff of the Year (1996) while at Northeastern.
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BOB DERANEY
ADVISOR TO GIRL HOCKEY PLAYERS
EDUCATION
Goaltender at Boston University (1983–1987)
Won two Beanpot championships, captured one Hockey East championship, and played a key role for the Terriers during a strong four-year stretch.
COACHING CAREER
30+ years of coaching experience in NCAA Division I men’s and women’s ice hockey.
Former Head Coach of the Worcester Railers (ECHL), a minor professional team.
Head Coach of the Providence College Women’s Ice Hockey Program (1999–2018):
Spent 19 seasons leading the Friars.
Guided the team to three Hockey East championships.
Named Hockey East Coach of the Year three times.
Departed as the winningest coach in Providence College and Hockey East history.
Prior to Providence, served as Assistant Coach for three NCAA Division I men’s programs: Northeastern University, Dartmouth College, and UMass Amherst.
Specialized in coaching defensemen and goaltenders, and was extensively involved in video analysis and recruiting.
Known for developing winning teams and building successful programs across collegiate and professional hockey.
USA HOCKEY INVOLVEMENT
30+ years of service with USA Hockey as a scout, player development coach at national festivals, and coach for Women’s and Junior National Teams.
Gold Medal Achievements:
Assistant coach for the Women’s U18 National Team – Gold, 2008 IIHF World Championships
Assistant coach for the U.S. Women’s National Team – Gold, 2015 IIHF World Championships
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DAVE PETERS
ADVISOR TO BOY HOCKEY PLAYERS
EDUCATION
Archbishop Williams High School
Boston College
COACHING CAREER
30+ years as a seasoned ice hockey coach and scout, best known for his long tenure as an assistant and associate head coach with Dartmouth College’s men’s hockey program.
Assistant coach at Providence College member of Hockey East 1993-1998.
Head coach of the Danville Wings (NAHL) in 1998–99.
Played a pivotal role in establishing Kent State University's Division I hockey program in the early 1990s.
Served as assistant coach at Dartmouth College from 1999 to 2008, then as associate head coach through the 2013–14 season.
Honored with the 2008 Terry Flanagan Award by the American Hockey Coaches Association, acknowledging his career achievements.
Head Coach at South Kent Selects Academy from 2014 to 2017.
Currently a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets watching hockey across North America and beyond evaluating potential NHL talent.
Coach Peters also serves on the USA Hockey scouting staff advising in the selection of the US Under 20 World Junior Team which has recently won back to back Gold Medals.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We advise student-athletes and their families who…
Seek to attend and play hockey at an academy or traditional prep school in the United States.
Currently compete at prep school, midget AAA, or junior hockey levels and are determined to reach the NCAA hockey stage.
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Our services may include…
A thorough review of academic transcripts, test scores, teacher comments, writing samples, and other relevant materials, etc.
Observe and evaluate the student-athlete in game and practice sessions either live or through video.
Meet individually with the student-athlete and parents to discuss goals and challenges, provide perspective and advice, answer questions, and advance next steps.
Together we will develop a list of potential best-fit programs for the student-athlete.
Continue to fine-tune the list of potential options based on visits, conversations, and ongoing research.
Assist with the application process, including essay reviews and interview preparation.
Maintain communication within our extensive network of prep, academy, junior, NCAA, and NHL professionals to gather information.
Provide a general overview of the financial aid process if needed.
Remain available throughout the process to promptly address any questions or concerns from the student-athlete and family as they arise.
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Yes, Paul Cannata and Dave Peters advise boy hockey players while Bob Deraney advises girl hockey players.
Clinic opportunities are also available to all athletes.