Private Hockey Lessons
Personalized Development at Steel Ice Center
Steel Ice Center proudly offers private and small-group hockey instruction for players of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re brand new to the sport or refining your game for Juniors or college, our team of approved instructors brings elite-level experience, professionalism, and passion to every session.
Why Train at Steel Ice?
Experienced Instruction
- USA Hockey-Certified Coaches
- USFSA and PSA-Rated Skating Instructors
Individual Development
- Individual and team tactics
- Position-specific training
- Specialty instruction for goalies and skaters
Build Your Game
- Power skating
- Puck control
- Shooting and more
Availability & Scheduling
Instruction is offered Monday through Friday, with convenient morning and afternoon time slots. Both 30-minute and 1-hour sessions are available.
To schedule private or small-group instruction, contact:
📧 John Musella, Hockey Director – [email protected]
Lesson Pricing
Choose individual sessions or save on repeated private-lesson ice time with a punch card.
Arena Ice Fee
$15.00 per 30 minutes
$20.00 per hour
Instructor Fees
Vary by coach ($25–$45 per 30 minutes)
Pricing and availability should be discussed directly with the instructor.
Train More. Save More.
Players and families booking multiple sessions can reduce their arena ice cost through Steel Ice Center’s Private Hockey Lesson Punch Cards.
Private Hockey Lesson Punch Cards
Save on your Private Hockey Lesson ice time with punch cards — a great value for players and families who book multiple sessions.
All cards must be paid in full at time of purchase. Savings shown compared to standard walk-in rates.
Meet the Instructors
All instructors below are approved by Steel Ice Center to provide private hockey instruction.
Karlis Cukste
Skills Development Coach
Coach Karlis is entering his 4th year of skill development after retiring from professional hockey. His playing experience includes:
- USHL – Chicago Steel
- D1 NCAA – Quinnipiac University
- AHL – San Jose Barracuda
- KHL – Dinamo Riga
As well as several top European leagues, including Liiga, Allsvenskan, and Czech Extraliga.
He specializes in purpose-driven skill development with a detail-oriented approach. Explaining the biomechanics of body movements helps players build strong fundamentals in areas such as shooting, skating, and overall movement efficiency. Due to his playing experience, he has been able to learn from some of the best skills coaches in the world, helping him form his own approach.
Greg Carey
Greg grew up in Canada where he played his minor and junior hockey, including a 3 year stint in the OJHL and an appearance for Team Canada East in the World Junior A Challenge. He attended St. Lawrence University for four seasons, and was being nominated as an All-American and Hobey Baker finalist in back to back seasons. His 8 year pro career took him from Portland to Italy, with 4 years for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. His clinics specialize in shooting, puck handling, and offensive skills using a range of high pace, high rep drills with an emphasis on technique.
Keith Krem
Youth Coach
Keith was born and raised in the Lehigh Valley and started playing hockey when he was 5 for the Lehigh Valley Comets and also played for the Junior Flyers. Keith went on to attend the Hill School and then the Rochester Institute of Technology where he transferred his talents to play for the National Champion Roller Hockey Tigers of the ECRHL. He led the team between the pipes to 4 top 10 finishes and was a 4 year ECRHL All Star. Keith began coaching youth hockey in 2007 and in 2014 was named Coach of the Year by the Lehigh Valley Flames organization. That same year he was also named as the first ever Tier 1 coach of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms Youth.
John Musella Sr.
Hockey Director, Steel Ice Center
Coach John Musella Sr is the Hockey Director here at the Steel Ice Center and an Assistant Coach with Lehigh University, ACHA D1. He is also the Assistant Coach for the PA Huntsmen of the EHL.
Coach Musella is the former VP of Hockey Operations for the Phantoms Youth. Over the years he led many of his teams to DVHL, AHF Playoffs, and Atlantic District Playoffs. In his tenure as VP, he and Coach Keith Krem were instrumental in the growth of the Phantoms Youth program from approximately 250 players to now almost 500 players. John is devoted to growing and developing hockey players in our area and has expanded his responsibilities, becoming a Regional scout for the Charlotte Rush of the USPHL. He has helped to send many of his students on to the Junior and College Level.
Use the links below to register for Coach Musella’s current private and small-group lesson opportunities at Steel Ice Center.
Ryan Bertelsen
Known as “Berts”, Ryan is the youngest head coach in the organization at 23 years old. He played for the Flames/Phantoms for 7 years, at the AA level from U12 to U18. Ryan’s coaching experience includes 2 years assistant coaching, and 2 years head coaching, including 13AA in 2023-24. With an emphasis on teaching today’s style of hockey, Ryan is constantly learning and coaching new techniques and systems to help kids adapt to the ever evolving game. Aside from Phantoms, Ryan coaches summer teams, hockey camps/clinics, and offers private lessons and group instruction.
James Pierson
Goaltending Development
James has lived and played as a goaltender in the Lehigh Valley since 7 years old. He played two years of Varsity hockey for Easton. During his time with Easton I led the league in saves and was awarded an opportunity to play for the All-Star team his senior year. In addition to playing with Easton he played for the Comets Midget 18AA. The two years following his time with the Comets James played Junior Hockey. He played in the CJHL with the Reading Rails and the MJHL with the Jr. Flyers. James has coached and developed goaltenders of all ages since 2003. He currently serves as Goaltending Coach for Phantoms Youth Midgets. James studies both European and North American goaltending models to develop tailored lesson plans for each goalie.
Cody Ruff
Cody started as a head coach for the Lehigh Valley Comets in 2008. He has also coached Whitehall HS, Northampton JV/Varsity, and the Lehigh Valley Rebels (U10–U16), winning multiple DVHL titles. Currently, he is VP of Girls Hockey for Phantoms Youth and Head Coach of the 14U Girls Team. He played ACHA D1 for Kutztown University (2010–2013), where he served as alternate captain and won a championship in 2013. Cody has over 15 years of experience training players of all skill levels, including leading Adult Private Hockey on Friday nights at 6:15 PM.
Chris Schache
Chris has over 30 years of playing and 15 years of coaching experience. He’s won 2 DVHL championships as a head coach and has developed players from B level to AA. He has coached for the Lehigh Valley Rebels and currently coaches the 14UB team for Phantoms Youth. He’s passionate about helping players reach their full potential and began coaching free hockey at the Rink at Lehigh Valley.
Evgeniy Sviridov
Evgeniy is a member of USA Hockey, USFS, and PSA and brings 19 years of coaching experience. He has coached skaters through Gold Freestyle, Moves in the Field, and Pairs, and coached athletes at the Junior National and Sectional Level. A former Olympian in Pairs (Uzbekistan, 2002), Evgeniy specializes in freestyle, choreography, pairs, power skating, hockey skills, and more.
Janet Tremer
Janet has been coaching skating and power skating for hockey players since 1983. She has trained players and coaches across the country and is a World and Olympic figure skating coach. She works with players of all ages and abilities on building strong skating fundamentals.
John Musella Jr.
Currently entering his senior season at Stevenson University (NCAA D3), John Jr. has recorded 47 points across three seasons and helped the Mustangs qualify for their first-ever Nationals appearance. His youth career included time with Phantoms Youth, VF Minutemen, and Northeast Generals before a Junior career in the NAHL and USPHL. He is a founder of M&M Hockey Skills Camp and provides instruction while home from school.
Private lesson opportunities with Coach Musella Jr. are available through the registration link below.
Luke Day
Luke recently graduated from Salem State University, where he served as team captain. He is a ProStride Elite power skating coach and a Phantoms Youth alum. After playing AAA for the York Skipjacks and Juniors for the NJ Rockets, Luke returns to Steel Ice each summer to coach skating and skill development.
Nick Metelkin
Coach Metelkin brings an elite-level background in hockey development and instruction. With a coaching style that emphasizes individual skill growth, attention to detail, and on-ice creativity, Nick is passionate about helping players of all levels improve their game.
Ready to Get to Work?
Find the right instructor and start building your game at Steel Ice Center. Contact our Hockey Director to be connected with an instructor or inquire about availability.