Staff
It is impossible to underestimate the importance of the coach/ mentor in the player
development process. The coach is a pivotal character in the moral as well as physical
development of his or her aspirations. Pro Star’s staff of experienced professionals
takes tremendous pride in their role as coach/mentor. Head Instructors Dale Dunbar
and Steve Kasper are involved with every aspect of the camp both on and off the
ice. With a combined fifty years of playing and coaching experience Dale and Steve
understand the importance of teaching the tactical and technical aspects of the
game as well as the mental focus needed on and off the ice.
In addition, each counselor at Pro Star is hand picked to ensure that our campers
are surrounded by solid role models. A majority of the counselor’s are former Pro
Stars so they understand the responsibilities and trust we put forth in them and
having gone through the camp they are aware of our high standards.
Parents, you can rest assured that your child is receiving the proper attention
and training (6-1 camper-staff ratio) in both a safe yet challenging environment.
Pro Star is compatible with all the requirements under Massachusetts law to operate
a boarding camp. Each staff member is required by the State of Massachusetts to
undergo extensive background checks including CORI/SORI certification. Also, we
have a full-time certified trainer on our staff and a healthcare supervisor.
Dale Dunbar
Dale Dunbar has assisted in the development and placement of hundreds of elite players.
He has an extensive playing and coaching background that spans over twenty eight
years. Dale played collegiately at Boston University and professionally with the
Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks organizations as well as Vassa Sport of the
Finnish Elite League.
As a coach he won a national championship with the Compuware Ambassadors in Michigan
and two of his players Ryan Miller and David Legwand are currently top players in
the NHL. As head coach of the Erie Otters, (Ontario Hockey League) he developed
many players for the NHL including Tim Connolly of the Buffalo Sabres. His second
year as head coach his team tied a Canadian Hockey League record with an eighteen
game unbeaten streak. Dale also served as an assistant coach with UMass Amherst
of Hockey East where his responsibilities included the implementation of the special
teams as well as being the defenseman coach.
Over the years he has won numerous summer tournaments as head coach of the Pro Star
AAA Selects. Dale currently works as an advisor for the Orr Hockey Group owned by
NHL legend Bobby Orr. He is responsible for the recruitment and development of NHL
prospects and works closely with the players and parents in the process. In his
nine years with the company he has recruited seven first round draft picks and all
are Pro Star alumni.
Steve Kasper
Steve Kasper joined our staff four years ago and has been an invaluable member of
the Pro Star program. He brings a tremendous amount of experience, knowledge and
passion. In his thirteen year career in the NHL he was known for his outstanding
work ethic, tenacious style and character. He won the Frank Selke Award with the
Bruins which symbolizes the best defensive forward in the NHL.
As head coach of the Providence Bruins (AHL) and Boston Bruins his teams were known
for the same qualities that made him successful as a player. Steve’s expertise and
structured approach is evident in his teaching curriculum, his practices are designed
to teach both the technical and tactical aspects of the game without sacrificing
the player’s creativity. Steve is currently a pro scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Jesse Minneman
Jesse Minneman has been working with the Pro Star team for ten years, working as
a counselor, off-ice instructor, and assistant camp director. A graduate of the
Hotchkiss School, Jesse spent three years playing junior hockey in the USHL and
NAHL before attending Bowdoin College. While at Bowdoin, he helped lead the team
to the NESCAC finals in his junior and senior years and was a three-time conference
all-academic selection.
After graduating in 2006, Jesse began work at Kent School in Kent, CT, where he
currently serves as an assistant in the boys’ hockey program. He also teaches History,
oversees a boys’ dormitory, and assists with the lacrosse program. At Kent, his
primary responsibilities have included player recruiting and development, and he
has assisted in practice planning and game strategy as well. Jesse believes in the
Pro Star mission of developing young athletes both on and off the ice.
Bill Troy
Bill joined the Pro Star staff one year ago. He is entering his 20th year at Cushing
Academy. Currently he is the Co-Director of Athletics. He has been the Assistant
Varsity Boys Ice Hockey Coach and works with the defensemen. He has also coached
varsity football, varsity baseball, taught in the history department and has lived
in a dormitory. He has over twenty years experience in player development for USA
Hockey and Massachusetts Hockey and has worked in over 15 different hockey schools.
He is on the Executive Board of the New England Prep School Coaches Association.
Bill has two Master's Degrees, one on Athletic Administration from Norwich University
and the other in Counseling Psychology from Cambridge College.
Terry Kirwan
Terry joined our staff in 2009 as camp director for the '96-'97 age bracket. Terry
is the president of the Midstate Youth Hockey Association, in Syracuse, NY. He has
coached multiple teams over the years. His Syracuse Stars 14U Girls team participated
in our team camp in 2006 and ultimately earned a bronze medalist that season at
the USA Hockey Nationals, in San Jose, Ca, in 2007. His Syracuse Stars 1997 AAA
team has won numerous tournaments, including the Bell Capital Cup, Shanahan International
Tournament, and Tim Connolly Tournament. Additionally, his teams have come close
to capturing other major tournaments, having been finalists in the Toronto Marlboros
tournament as well as the Bell Capital Cup.
As Terry is a practicing attorney, he is involved in youth hockey solely for the
development of his players. He has hosted Dale and Steve in Syracuse to conduct
clinics for some of the Syracuse Stars teams and has been actively involved in securing
players for our camps for several years.