SISU Thunderbirds Coaching Staff 2025-26

Michael Lause is a current Level 4 USA Hockey coach. In addition to coaching, he continues to work as a USA Hockey Level 3 official, a seminar instructor for USA Hockey officials, and an instruction liaison for the OHSAA, training new ice hockey officials.

Michael began playing hockey as a child in Illinois, participating in teams such as Kankakee Elks, Joliet Jaguars, HF Cardinals, and St. Jude Knights throughout the Chicago and Central Illinois areas. He played high school hockey with the Kankakee Irish, Joliet Jaguar Midget team, and Lake County (IN) Kings. Michael attended Bowling Green State University, where he played for the club team (now ACHA).

Upon graduating from Bowling Green with a Bachelor's Degree in Sport Management, Michael began coaching the Bowling Green Youth Hockey Mite Travel team in the Little Caesars Hockey League and at the house level for the Bowling Green Youth Hockey Association. He also worked in the IP and Learn to Play programs at Troy Youth Hockey in Ohio for four years, focusing on LTP and Mite levels.

Following this, Michael joined the Dayton Stealth as a Squirt House coach and later as a PeeWee Travel coach in the Buckeye Travel League. He then moved to Findlay Youth Hockey, serving as an assistant coach for both the Pee Wee and Bantam teams for three years. In his final year as an assistant, Michael became the Head Coach of the Fort Wayne Renegades in the ISHSHA Prep league during their inaugural year.

Michael then took on the roles of Director of Coaching and High School JV Head Coach with Dayton IceHounds Youth Hockey for two seasons. He subsequently joined the staff of the SISU Thunderbirds 18U team as an assistant coach for the past two seasons.

Michael lives in Maria Stein with his wife Jennifer, whom he married in 1999. They have three children: Dylan (24), Drew (18, a 4-year Thunderbird), and Heidi (12).

Tom Latvala, a Level 5 USA Hockey certified coach, is the founder of the SISU Thunderbirds Hockey Club and a driving force behind its mission to develop high-character athletes through competitive, development-focused hockey. Now entering his 28th season behind the bench, Tom has coached nearly 2,000 games at the AA and AAA levels, establishing himself as a leader in youth hockey development.

Born and raised in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Tom played youth and travel hockey with the Copper Country Junior Hockey Association in Houghton-Hancock. His early playing days took him throughout Michigan, Wisconsin, and the Iron Range of Minnesota—regions that helped shape his deep respect for the game.

Since founding the SISU Thunderbirds, Tom has built a culture rooted in discipline, growth, and opportunity. His prior coaching experience includes roles with the Columbus Vikings 14U, Dayton Stealth 15O AAA and 16U AAA, Queen City Steam 16U AAA, Columbus Capitals, Columbus Cardinals, and CCYHA Blue Jackets. Many of his former players have advanced to AAA, Prep School, Juniors, NCAA hockey, and even the NHL.

A career highlight includes leading the Columbus Cardinals Peewee AA team to the 2004–2005 North American International Silver Stick Championship title in Newmarket, Ontario. Tom also contributes to the broader hockey community as a scout for the NAHL’s Anchorage Wolverines, helping identify and develop talent at the junior level.

Tom lives in central Ohio with his wife Melissa, to whom he has been married for 31 years. Their son Alex, a former AA and AAA goaltender, played ACHA DII hockey at Northern Michigan University and now coaches high school hockey in the Chicago area.

David Hirsch is a USA Hockey Level 5 certified coach whose coaching journey is rooted in perseverance, passion, and a deep love for the game. Unlike many of his peers, Dave discovered hockey later in childhood through roller hockey—an experience that ignited a lifelong commitment to the sport. He continued playing through his time at Bowling Green State University, where he supplemented his on-ice development with advanced training and coursework.

Following graduation, Dave ventured west to Colorado, where he worked in various capacities at Copper Mountain, embracing the outdoors and further cultivating his leadership skills. His path then led him to serve in the United States Air Force, where he faced and overcame significant physical and personal challenges—including multiple surgeries—before retiring with distinction.

Upon returning to Columbus, Dave channeled his resilience and experience into coaching. In addition to his Level 5 USA Hockey certification, he is a Bronze-level certified goalie coach, reflecting his passion for the position he once played. Dave’s coaching philosophy is built on three pillars: challenge, enjoyment, and safety. He believes in pushing athletes to reach their full potential while maintaining a positive and secure environment for growth.

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Dave also serves as the Ice Scheduler for the SISU Thunderbirds, contributing to the club’s operational success. His dedication to both the sport and the organization is unwavering.

Jeff Waselko is a USA Hockey Level 4 certified coach with a decade of coaching experience spanning every age group from Mites to 18U. Whether serving as a head coach or assistant, Jeff is committed to fostering growth, building skill, and helping players reach the next level in their development.

Though Jeff’s introduction to hockey came later in life, his passion for the game quickly took root. With over 15 years of experience playing adult league hockey at the B and C levels, he has developed a strong understanding of the game from a player's perspective. That insight—combined with a relentless commitment to learning—fuels his coaching approach. Jeff is a dedicated student of the game, always seeking innovative ways to elevate team and individual performance.

Off the ice, Jeff lives in Powell with his wife, Andrea. Their sons, Jon and Sam, were raised in the game and are a reflection of the family’s deep-rooted love for hockey.

Neil Ritzert, a native of Cleveland’s east side, discovered his passion for hockey growing up in Mentor and continued playing throughout his high school years in Central Ohio. He further pursued the sport recreationally through intramural hockey while earning a degree in Computer Science from Bowling Green State University.

Now a USA Hockey Level 2 certified coach, Neil began his coaching career when his son developed an interest in the game. Since then, he has coached a variety of teams including Mites at CAHA, the Capitals 2011/12 Select, CCYHA 2012 A, and most recently, the 2011/12 SISU Thunderbirds. His coaching background also extends to other youth sports, where he has supported the athletic development of all three of his children.

Neil will return as the assistant coach for the SISU Thunderbirds 12U team for the 2025–26 season. He is deeply committed to SISU’s mission of developing strong athletes and even stronger individuals—instilling a lifelong love for the game through a foundation of character, effort, and growth.

Off the ice, Neil serves as a Software Engineering leader at a prominent aviation company based in central Ohio. He lives in Worthington with his wife Ann and their three children—James, Libby, and Abigail. Outside of hockey and work, Neil enjoys boating, fishing, skiing, and spending quality time with his extended family.

Chris Watts is a dedicated and experienced hockey coach with over seven years of coaching across all age groups and skill levels. A USA Hockey Level 5 certified coach, Chris brings the highest level of certification and a deep commitment to player development, team culture, and coaching excellence.

Chris has been involved in hockey for most of his life, becoming actively engaged in the sport over a decade ago. His coaching experience extends beyond the rink as well—he has also coached soccer, baseball, and junior high lacrosse, giving him a broad and versatile approach to coaching youth athletes.

He holds a bachelor's degree in Sport and Lifestyle Studies from Ohio University with a minor in Coaching. His coaching philosophy is guided by the principle: "Humans. Athletes. Hockey."—a mindset that emphasizes personal growth, athletic development, and love for the game.

Chris resides in Pickerington, Ohio, with his two sons, Ian and Connor.

Anthony is a goaltending coach in Columbus with years of playing experience. Anthony grew up in Metro Detroit playing for a variety of teams at the travel and AAA levels. Once graduated, he moved to Canada and played for the Strathroy Rockets for two seasons setting records in Shutouts and Save Percentages. From there he was offered an opportunity to play NCAA hockey for Utica College in New York. In his sophomore year, he placed in the Top Five in the nation for Save Percentage and GAA, along with numerous nominations for Player of the Week in his conference during his four-year tenure. After college, he spent time playing in Slovakia and Norway before finishing his career while playing minor pro in the United States. 

Anthony has 15 years of goalie coaching experience in the US and Canada. Many of his goaltending beliefs were shaped by his goalie coach, who was the former goalie coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ed Belfour. In Columbus, Anthony is a coach for the 16U SISU Thunderbirds, Westerville Warcats High School, a number of CAHA travel programs, and is also a private goaltending instructor through the Chiller arenas. 

When Anthony is not coaching, he is a real estate agent for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty.