Coaches - FAU Ice Hockey Club

Christian Long, Head Coach, Division II

Christian Long joins Florida Atlantic University Ice Hockey Club with over 28 years’ experience in hockey. Most recently, Christian served as FAU’s Assistant Coach for the 2022-2023 season, helping to oversee forwards and special teams units. Christian has previous experience coaching across numerous levels of hockey from youth up to college ages which began as early as 17 years old. After graduating High School early and beginning college courses, Christian founded a student-athlete advisory service catering to aspiring NCAA athletes. Christian represented and advised 12 future NCAA student-athletes including 1 NHLer and 3 future hockey professionals. Outside of coaching FAU, Christian is heavily involved in coaching youth hockey, including helping guide Team North America Selects U15 to a Silver Medal at the most recent BAUER World Cup of Hockey in Aosta, Italy in April 2023.

Christian’s playing career includes 4 years at Colgate University (NCAA Division 1 – ECAC), which was followed by moving to Hong Kong where he worked as a Private Equity Analyst for Excelsior Capital Asia while simultaneously playing semi-professional hockey in the China Ice Hockey League (CIHL). Christian earned a First-Team All-Star selection while also serving as the CIHL’s Community Relations Manager to promote hockey/athletics, fitness and nutrition in the Greater Hong Kong and Macau regions.

Before attending Colgate, Christian was a two-time Ohio High School State Champion for St. Edward HS (Freshman & Sophomore years). As a Sophomore, Christian led St. Edward HS in Goals, Assists, Points, Game Winning Goals and +/- during the 2004-2005 season enroute to an Ohio First-Team All-State selection. The following season, Christian moved to Junior ‘A’ hockey in Brockville, Ont. for the Brockville Braves, recording over a point-per-game in his Jr. A career before earning a scholarship to Colgate University.

Christian earned his Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University in 2013, Double-majoring in Economics & Sociology. In early 2021, Christian founded and is the current CEO of Ace The Text, an education technology company.

Position is open for the 2026-2027 season, Assistant Coach, Division II

Josh Haverstrom, Assistant Coach, Division II

Josh Haverstrom grew up playing hockey in Orlando Florida. Josh went on to play in the WSHL and NAHL for the Idaho Junior Steelheads and Wichita Falls Wildcats. Winning a National Championship in Idaho. Josh continued by playing collegiate hockey at the University of Massachusetts Boston where they went onto play in the 2015-2016 NCAA Frozen Four.

Andrew Yagoda, Head Coach, Division III

After graduating from New Hampshire College in 1989, Andrew attended St. Thomas University School of Law earning his degree in 1996. Shortly after, he began his law career with Yagoga & Lehrman Law Firm in Coral Gables, FL where is still practices.

Andrew began his coaching career with NJ Devils Youth program in West Orange, NJ as a Head Coach, 1989 to 1991. Since moving to Florida, Andrew has mainly been involved as the Head Coach and Director of the Miami-Dade Scholastic Hockey Alliance, in Miami from 2011 to the present day. In 2023 Andrew became the Director of the Florida Panthers Scholastic Hockey League in Sunrise Florida.

Position is open for the 2026-2027 season, Assistant Coach, Division III

Justin Grandinetti, Assistant Coach, Division III

A proud South Florida native, Justin Grandinetti’s hockey journey began on local rinks where he played youth hockey with passion and determination. He advanced through the junior ranks with the Palm Beach Hawks, the Kensington Vipers in the IJHL, and the Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins in the NA3HL. After his playing career, Justin transitioned into coaching, contributing his experience and leadership to the University of Miami hockey program. He is currently serving as an Assistant Coach at Florida Atlantic University, continuing to mentor and develop the next generation of players.

Mike Flaherty, Trainer

Mike had completed his USA Hockey 4 certification and is currently a firefighter/paramedic with an AS in EMS and has spent two seasons as the Medic/Trainer for the Palm Beach Hawks Junior Hockey program. Mike began coaching roller hockey 9 years ago and progressed to recreational ice hockey and finally youth travel hockey. Knowing the importance of physical fitness in high level, competitive hockey, Mike focused his efforts on coaching strength, speed, and conditioning; creating off ice workouts, dynamic game day warm ups, and intense full-day beach workout programs. Mike is excited to be part of FAU Hockey organization!