Introducing the 26/27 Board of Directors
Letter from our Board -
We are thrilled to share that Natick Comets hockey is entering an exciting new chapter—one entirely focused on rebuilding, strengthening, and creating an unmatched experience for every player and family in our community.
Over the past several years, like many town programs, we’ve faced familiar headwinds: declining participation, rising costs, and a shifting youth hockey landscape. But with challenge comes opportunity, and we believe wholeheartedly that the best days of the Comets are right in front of us.
Today, we have a newly energized Board of Directors made up of dedicated, motivated volunteers who are fully committed to moving the program forward in a positive, thoughtful way. This group has already begun laying the foundation for a stronger, more sustainable future—one built on transparency, accountability, and a renewed focus on what matters most: our players and our town.
Changes are coming to the Natick Comets, but they are rooted in our history. We are refocusing on the core values where this program started 74 years ago. Our immediate goal this year is to deliver more flexibility and options to our families. We are actively expanding our non-travel and in-town options, keeping players connected to their hometown club. The goal is simple: create an environment where kids can play with their friends, develop their skills, and fall in love with the game—without unnecessary pressure.
To bring this vision to life, we are investing heavily in our leadership and programming:
Revitalizing In-House & Learn to Play: We are incredibly excited to bring Scott Kleekamp into the In-House Programs Director role, bringing his signature energy and experience to our programming. Alongside Scott, Lauren Thomson is taking on our Learn to Play program with a fresh, dynamic perspective. Our youngest players are the absolute future of the Comets. By bringing this program fully back in-house under Lauren and Scott's leadership, we are investing directly in making hockey accessible, fun, and engaging from day one.
Smarter Ice & Smarter Practices: We are restructuring our ice utilization and practice models this season. You will see more consolidated practices utilizing stations and small-area games. This is fully aligned with USA Hockey’s American Development Model (ADM), which dramatically increases puck touches and player development while simultaneously keeping ice costs down. Furthermore, we are committed to providing predictable practice schedules and ensuring ice times are age-appropriate. At the same time, we are keeping the traditions that work, like our Redhawk Skills sessions with the NHS players.
Elevating Our Goalies: This year, goalies play for free, and we are implementing a structured, local goalie training program right here in Natick. Led by Bean Clark, our new Goalie Director, and Adam Vickery, we have a fantastic plan to refocus on goalie development during team practices and offer local clinics. Whether your child is a seasoned netminder or just wants to try on the pads, we want to make the position accessible and supported.
Restoring Comets Culture: The Comets organization has always been about more than just hockey. We are committed to rebuilding a vibrant sense of community through events, traditions, and opportunities that bring families together both on and off the ice. With Kate Dukat stepping in as our Event/Fundraising/Team Manager Director, her extensive knowledge, experience, and creativity are already shaping this year up to be exceptional.
We know that meaningful change takes time, effort, and collaboration. But we are deeply confident in the direction we are heading and energized by the momentum already building behind the scenes. Most importantly, we are committed to doing this the right way—with open communication and a laser focus on the long-term success of the program.
This is a team effort, and we invite you to be a part of it. Whether through coaching, volunteering, or simply sharing your ideas, your involvement will shape the future of town hockey in Natick.
We are incredibly excited about what’s ahead and look forward to building something special together. Thank you for your continued support.
With so much excitement for the next chapter,
The Comets Board of Directors
CritiCal vacancies we need filled
Treasurer
This position has responsibility for all financial matters of the program.
Typical time commitment: 2-5 hours per week, with occasional surges at busier times such as budgeting, audits, tax preparation, P&L preparation.
Requirements: USA Hockey Volunteer Requirement completion (valid USA hockey number, SafeSport Certification, and Background Check), Resident of Massachusetts, strong organizational and reporting skills, experience with QuickBooks.
Scheduler
This position is responsible for planning and scheduling of Comets rented ice as well as uploading the league schedules to Crossbar as they become available.
Typical time commitment: 2-5 hours per week, with occasional surges at busier times such as ice contract time (June), early in the season, towards the end of the season for ice allocation analysis.
Requirements: USA Hockey Volunteer Requirement completion (valid USA hockey number, SafeSport Certification, and Background Check), strong organizational and reporting skills, and comfortable using Excel/Google Spreadsheets.
Equipment Manager
This position has responsibility for overseeing all Program equipment, equipment related issues and ensuring that all participants in the program have the proper training with regard to CPR and overall player safety.
Typical time commitment: 0-2 hours per week, with occasional surges at busier times such as equipment distribution to coaches at start of Travel season (Aug), Natick Days equipment collection (Aug-Sept), start of In House Programs/Learn to Play (Sept), and equipment collection at the end of programs (Dec, Mar, Apr).
Requirements: USA Hockey Volunteer Requirement completion (valid USA hockey number, SafeSport Certification, and Background Check), strong communication skills, and comfortable using Excel/Google Spreadsheets.
If any of these positions interest you, please reach out to operations@natickcomets.com today! We need you!
Getting to Know your new board
Andrew Ballow, President
andrew.ballow@natickcomets.com
A lifelong hockey enthusiast, Drew grew up in Buffalo, New York, where street hockey games and frozen pond skates were a way of life—and where several Buffalo Sabres players lived just down the street. After relocating to Natick from Tampa, Florida, Drew began volunteering with the Comets in 2024 and has been actively involved both on and off the ice ever since.
Most recently, Drew served as the Girls Hockey Program Director, dedicating his time to growing the girls' game, expanding opportunities for female athletes, and fostering a strong sense of community among Comets families. As he steps into this new role, Drew is focused on strengthening the foundation of the organization by reestablishing effective systems and processes, building connections across all levels of the program, and ensuring that Comets Hockey remains a place where players develop, families belong, and everyone shares in the joy of the game.
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Andrea Smith, VP, Operations
andrea.smith@natickcomets.com, operations@natickcomets.com
Committee Chair: Disciplinary Committee
Bio coming soon
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Aaron Souza, VP, Player Development & ADM Coordinator
aaron.souza@natickcomets.com, playerdev@natickcomets.com, playerevalcommittee@natickcomets.com
Committee Chair: Player Evaluation Committee
My name is Aaron Souza, and I am serving as the Vice President and Director of Player Development for the Natick Comets Hockey Club. I am also a proud Comets parent with two children participating in the program, giving me both a coaching and family perspective on what makes our organization special.
My coaching journey began with the Framingham Flyers Learn to Play and House League programs in 2020-21, and over the years I have coached at multiple levels across both the Flyers and the Comets. My experience includes serving as an Assistant Coach with Comets House League, U10 Girls, U12 Girls, and U14 Girls teams, as well as Head Coach roles with Comets Mite and U10 teams. I have also served as the Comets Director of Learn to Play and House, helping young players build the foundational skills and passion for the game.
As Director of Player Development, my focus is on creating a positive environment where every player can grow, compete, and develop a lifelong love of hockey. I work closely with our coaches and Board to support player development at all levels, ensure consistent coaching standards, oversee evaluations and player placement, and provide opportunities for skill growth throughout the season.
I look forward to working with our players, coaches, and families as we continue building a strong development pathway and a great hockey experience for every Comet player.
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Scott Lauer, Clerk
scott.lauer@natickcomets.com, clerk@natickcomets.com
Committee Chair: Nominations Committee
Bio coming soon
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Sean Verner, Girls Hockey Director
sean.verner@natickcomets.com, girlshockey@natickcomets.com
Committee Chair: Girls Hockey Advisory Committee
Sean Verner is our new Director of Girls Hockey. Sean grew up in Natick playing for the Comets and NHS so he brings a strong community connection as well as an abundance of hockey knowledge. Sean started coaching last season when his daughter started playing hockey for the Mite 6 team and will be coaching her team again this year as well as helping assist on his older sons team who is just starting hockey this season for the squirt 3 team. Sean’s family has been involved with the Natick hockey community for generations and he has a passion for the town and the sport of hockey.
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Andrew Reid, Youth Hockey Director
Andrew has been playing or coaching hockey for almost his whole life. He grew up playing hockey as a Natick Comet and is now back at the rink coaching the next generation, including his daughter Ainsley and son Callum. He's passionate about creating a fun, positive environment where every player can build confidence, develop their skills, and fall in love with the game. Whether he's running practices, organizing programs, or helping new families feel at home, his goal is to help every player become the best teammate and hockey player they can be.
Email: andrew.reid@natickcomets.com
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Scott Kleekamp, In-House Program Director
scott.kleekamp@natickcomets.com
Bio coming soon
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Lauren Thomson, Learn to Play Director
lauren.thomson@natickcomets.com, ltp@natickcomets.com
Lauren, or Coach Lauren, has been a part of the Comets since 2019 after moving to Natick from Searsport, Maine where her family was involved with the Maine Coast Storm. She and her husband, Coach Kev, have two boys who are Comets: Finn plays U12 and the middle school team and Mac plays Mites. Coach Lauren can usually be found at the rink year round since in the spring and summer, she runs the Dryland Development Project’s Shinny programs. She loves introducing new players to the game and making everyone feel welcome at the rink and on the ice. She also has the best playlists.
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Bean Clark, Goalie Development Director
bean.clark@natickcomets.com, goalies@natickcomets.com
Committee Chair: Goalie Advisory Committee
Bean is excited to bring her experience both as a former collegiate goaltender and seasoned coach to the Comets program. Since graduating from New England College where she participated in both NCAA women's ice hockey and lacrosse, Bean has coached at the youth, preparatory school, and college levels.
As Director of Goalie Development, Bean is excited to work alongside Coach Adam Vickery to elevate the Comets goaltending development program through careful practice planning, coach collaboration, and drill construction that centers on goaltender development from the 8U through 18U levels.
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Teddy Efstathiou, Director of Coaches
teddy.efstathiou@natickcomets.com, coaching@natickcomets.com
Committee Chair: Coach Advisory Committee
Bio coming soon
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Alicia Deig, Registrar
alicia.deig@natickcomets.com, registrar@natickcomets.com
Bio coming soon
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Elitza Miteva, Assistant Registrar
elitza.miteva@natickcomets.com, registrar@natickcomets.com
What began as cheering on her young children soon turned into a passion for the Natick Comets community. As Assistant Registrar, Elitza is excited to help create a positive experience for every family by making the program welcoming, organized, and accessible from the very first registration.
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Russell Webber, Safe Sport Director + Interim Treasurer
russell.webber@natickcomets.com, treasurer@natickcomets.com, safesport@natickcomets.com
Having watched my son grow from a 9-year-old Squirt to a second-year Bantam, I joined the board and coaching staff last season to give back to the organization that has given him so many incredible experiences. What I love most about the Comets is our strong sense of community and togetherness—a foundation that is more vital than ever to preserve in today's club-dominated landscape. As my 7-year-old daughter steps onto the ice after completing Learn to Play, I am dedicated to keeping this program strong so future generations can experience what makes Comet hockey truly special.
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Kristian Efstathiou, Director of Marketing (Communications & Social Media)
kristian.efstathiou@natickcomets.com, events@natickcomets.com
Kristian spent her first few years as a hockey parent navigating a sport she never played herself. She quickly stepped up to volunteer as a team manager, applying her professional skillset to create the best season-long experience possible for her teams' coaches, players, and families. As Director of Marketing (Communication & Social Media), Kristian finds her joy in building a community where players are not only proud to belong, but where families feel deeply connected, supported, and excited to be part of the Natick Comets.
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Kate Dukat, Director of Events, Fundraising & Team Managers
kate.dukat@natickcomets.com, events@natickcomets.com, fundraising@natickcomets.com
Committee Chair: Fundraising and Scholarships
As a former collegiate athlete, Kate has a love for all sports and the life lessons that they can teach our youth athletes. Having a passion for youth sports development and understanding the important role of Community hockey in her own child's hockey journey, Kate is excited to bring her knowledge and skills to the Comets organization as Director of Parent Coordinators, Director of Fundraising and Events. Understanding the important role that Team Managers play in creating the positive team culture with support from the Comets through our Fundraising and Events, Kate is looking forward to an exciting year of programming and fun.
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Bob Michaud, Valley Hockey League (VHL) and Mass Hockey District Rep
Bob is a hockey parent to three boys and has been actively involved with the Comets for over six years. He has served as team manager for multiple teams, helping support players, families, and coaches on and off the ice. As the Valley League representative, he ensures the program remains aligned with the league rules, standards and requirements. Bob is committed to contributing to the continued growth and improvement of the Comets program for current and future families.