Coaching Staff- Mid Fairfield CT Stars, 2026-27 Season

We are also excited to announce that Sarah Walewski will head up our U12 program. Sarah is a dedicated coach and former collegiate athlete with extensive experience developing players at multiple levels. A Connecticut native from Shelton, she is an alumna of Sacred Heart University, where she competed at the NCAA Division I level with the Sacred Heart Pioneers Women’s Ice Hockey team.

Following her collegiate career, Sarah has coached with the Shoreline Sharks and Hartford Jr. Wolfpack programs. She currently serves as Head Coach for Quinnipiac Club Women’s Ice Hockey team, as a Coach for the Hartford Jr. Wolfpack Girls U14 Tier 1 team, and as Assistant Coach for the Daniel Hand Girls Coop team. Sarah brings a focus on skill development, teamwork, and competitive performance.

Caitlin Barnes is a dedicated hockey player, coach, and mentor with deep roots in Norwalk, Connecticut, where she grew up and continues to reside. A proud alum of the Mid Fairfield Stars, Caitlin developed her passion for the game at an early age and went on to play high school hockey at The Frederick Gunn School. She continued her career at the University of Vermont, competing at the collegiate level from 2002 to 2006, and later gained additional experience playing professionally in Europe.

Following her playing career, Caitlin transitioned seamlessly into coaching and player development. Known for being serious about development while fostering a competitive environment, Caitlin is committed to helping athletes reach their full potential both on and off the ice. As a respected skills and power skating coach, she has helped players refine their technique, build confidence, and elevate their performance. Caitlin has coached numerous teams over the years, primarily with Mid Fairfield, and in 2011 led her Tier I U12 MF Stars to the USA Hockey National Championships.

Off the ice, Caitlin is equally proud of her role as a mother to three future Stars—Graceyn, Quincy, and Lochlyn—continuing her family’s strong connection to the sport and community she loves.

Holley Riva is a dedicated student-athlete and educator with a strong background in competitive hockey and academics. She attended Berkshire Prep School, where she developed both her academic foundation and athletic skillset. Holley is a very proud alum of the Mid Fairfield Stars program, playing from 14U all the way through 19U.

Holley continued her academic and athletic career at Elmira College in New York, where she competed as a member of the Elmira Soaring Eagles. During her time at Elmira, she proudly served as an Assistant Captain, demonstrating strong leadership, accountability, and commitment to her team. Over the course of her collegiate career, she qualified for three national tournaments, making two Final Four appearances and advancing to one National Championship game—an achievement that reflects both her competitive drive and her ability to lead at the highest level.

In 2024, Holley graduated with a master’s degree in education, further demonstrating her dedication to growth both on and off the ice. Holley is now teaching at Renbrook School in West Hartford and is very happy. Her journey reflects a powerful balance of athletic excellence, academic achievement, leadership, and a passion for education.

Taylor brings extensive experience and a proven track record of player development to this role. Since 2018, he has served as a Hockey Instructor and Consultant at IPH Hockey, LLC in Newington, CT, where he has led both individualized and group training sessions for athletes ranging from youth players to professionals. His innovative approach to skill development challenges players to push beyond their comfort zones while strengthening their unique abilities. Taylor has also been deeply committed to advising players and families on appropriate levels of play and future placement opportunities.

In 2022, Taylor became the Head Women’s Ice Hockey Coach for the U19 team at Shoreline Sharks in Northford, CT. In this position, he has overseen all aspects of team operations, including practice planning, systems implementation, and comprehensive skill development. His consistent communication with collegiate coaches, along with his thoughtful guidance to players and families throughout the recruiting process, has played a key role in the program’s continued success.

Among his notable accomplishments, Taylor coached the Hartford Jr Lady Wolfpack to four State Championship game appearances, four Regional Championship game appearances, and a National Championship Quarterfinal appearance—demonstrating his ability to lead teams to success at the highest competitive levels.

Previously, Taylor served as an Assistant Coach for the Post University Men’s Ice Hockey team from 2018 to 2021. There, he specialized in special teams and defensive development, ran targeted skills sessions, and actively contributed to recruiting efforts. His mentorship extended beyond the ice, providing players with support both athletically and personally, while his detailed game film analysis helped drive measurable team improvement.

Taylor’s multi-disciplinary training philosophy is centered on identifying weaknesses, addressing them directly, and transforming them into strengths. His carefully constructed drills are designed to elevate hockey IQ, skill execution, and overall performance. We are confident that his expertise, leadership, and passion for player development will have a lasting and positive impact on our organization and the athletes we serve.

Matt Forker is excited to be returning to Mid Fairfield Stars as Head Coach for the U12 Major 2 team. Matt is a native of Long Island but grew up and played youth and high school hockey in Stamford, CT then collegiate hockey at Seton Hall University. Matt , who brings with him over 24 years of coaching experience at both the youth and high school levels, previously coached the Stars 2007 group for their U10 and U12 Major 1 and Major 2 seasons. Over those 3 seasons, the 2007 group were the U10 CHC State Champions and U12 Tier 2 CHC State Champions. Prior to Mid Fairfield, Matt coached at the high school level for 15 years, coaching field hockey, boy’s ice hockey, boy’s lacrosse, and golf. During that span, he was a part of a staff that won the 2001 State Championship in boy’s ice hockey as well as the 2004 and 2005 (RU) FCIAC Championship with the Stamford Black Knights. Additionally, as head field hockey coach at Stamford High School, Matt won back to back CIAC state championships in 2007 and 2008. He was also recognized as an FCIAC Coach of Excellence in 2007, 2008, and 2010 in girl’s field hockey. Matt has also previously coached with Stamford Youth Hockey Association and with Stratford Youth Lacrosse. He has also served on the FCIAC Board of Directors. Matt resides in Stratford, CT with his wife and two daughters. When not at the rink, Matt is a high school administrator in Stamford, CT.

Bill Maniscalco has a wealth of experience and has been a hockey coaching icon in the Nutmeg State for many years. He has coached several NHL players and helped countless players, both boys and girls, realize their goal of playing college hockey. Coach Maniscalco first coached with the Mid Fairfield CT Stars during the 2008-09 season and has coached Stars teams at the U14, U16 and U19 levels over the past 16 years. In addition, Bill has been actively involved with USA Hockey and New England Development Camps. His Stars teams have won several state and regional titles and have made several appearances at USA Hockey Nationals. Most recently, he led the 2022-23 U16 Major Tier One team to victory at USAH Nationals, beating Shattuck St. Mary's to win gold.

Bill grew up in Milford and played at Fairfield Prep from 1981-85 before spending two years in junior hockey. He graduated from SCSU in 1990 after earning numerous accolades as a defenseman. He returned to his alma mater to serve as head coach from 1990 to 1994 and helped the Owls win three regular-season and two league playoff titles while making a pair of national tournament appearances. He served as Head Coach of the Choate Rosemary Hall Boys squad from 1994 to 2003, earning four appearances in the New England Playoffs. Maniscalco was the 1999 recipient of the Vincent J Reilly Coach of the Year Award. From 2004 to 2006 he was a volunteer assistant for the Quinnipiac men’s hockey team and helped the Bobcats win an Atlantic League title. From 2006 to 2018 he was an assistant coach and then associate head coach for Avon Old Farms Boys Varsity teams and helped the Winged Beavers win four New England Championships and numerous league and tournament titles. In 2018 Coach Maniscalco joined the Yale Men’s Hockey program as a volunteer coach and will return for a 5^th season.

Brian is returning for his seventh season with the Mid Fairfield Stars and has been coaching in Connecticut since 2013. Brian grew up in Trumbull, CT, and learned to skate and play hockey on the backyard pond. He went on to play four years of varsity ice hockey at Trumbull High School.

Brian is a USA Hockey Level 5 Certified coach specializing in overall skill development, advanced skating techniques and mechanics, team building, and holistic athletic growth. He attended the Level 5 Coaches Symposium in 2023 and actively incorporates the latest concepts and strategies from the USA Hockey American Development Model into his coaching philosophy.

Brian has helped lead multiple teams to success in state and regional competitions. In the 2021-2022 season, the Mid Fairfield Stars 12U Tier 2 team won the CHC State Championship and competed at Regionals in Massachusetts. In both 2023 and 2024, the 12U Major 2 team finished as runner-up in the CHC State Tournament and qualified for Regionals. In 2025, Brian and his team guided the 12U Tier 1 team to the CHC State Championship and three other tournament titles. This past season, Brian coached the U14 Major 2 who were crowned state champions and runner up in the New England District Regional.

This season, the goal is to provide players with the programming and resources needed to drive meaningful personal growth—going beyond surface-level goals to address habits and behaviors that will help them reach their full potential, both on and off the ice.

Brian lives in Orange, CT, with his wife, Annie, and their daughters, Maura (’09) and Xuna (’12).

Ed Rodham has built a reputation in the state for his hockey knowledge, network, and ability to bring out the best in players and teams. Over the last eight seasons, his coaching resume includes five State Championships, two Regional Championships, one USA Hockey National Championship runner-up, and two USA Hockey National Championships. In addition, over 60 of Ed’s players were accepted to boarding school, and 20+ are currently playing collegiate hockey at the NCAA level. As a former NCAA collegiate player (Merrimack College), USA Hockey Level 5 (Master level) certified coach, New England District Regional instructor, and USA Hockey National Camp head coach, he brings insight and expertise that has resulted in the region's best recent performance. Ed is currently the Director of Girls’ Hockey for Connecticut and actively volunteers at the New England District and USA Hockey national level.

He and his wife, Dee, reside in Madison, CT.