Alumni

Competed at the 16U AAA and 18U AAA levels with the Jr. Reign before advancing to juniors with the San Diego Sabers, where he played for two seasons. While competing in juniors, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from UC San Diego, graduating in 2022.

He is now a Software Development Engineer at Amazon, where he was promoted to SDE II after just 1.5 years.

Emmett Croteau, an Alberta-born goaltender, traveled to California at just 14 years old to chase his dream, leaving home at a very young age. The 2003-born netminder played under Coach Tomas in 2019–2020 with the U18 AAA Ontario Jr. Reign and with St. John Bosco High School, where he won a Division 2 State Championship.

In the spring of 2020, he was drafted into the USHL by the Waterloo Black Hawks, selected 150th overall. He joined the team that September and went on to play three seasons in Waterloo, becoming one of the league’s most elite goaltenders.

In June 2022, after his second season, Emmett was drafted by the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens—162nd overall and the first pick of the sixth round—before beginning his third year with the Black Hawks. He also committed to Clarkson University to play Division I NCAA hockey.

During his first season at Clarkson, Emmett battled injuries and appeared in only six games. In the summer of 2024, he transferred to Dartmouth College, where he played the following season and led the Big Green to an ECAC semifinal appearance.

Emmett has begun the 2025–2026 season with Dartmouth on a franchise-leading pace, determined to make a run to the Frozen Four in pursuit of an NCAA Championship.

His time in California with Coach Tomas was invaluable—one of the best experiences of his life, and something he will never forget.

Matthew Berezowski is a Kapusta Hockey Academy alumnus who has built a steady and well-rounded hockey and academic career.

He developed at the Jr. Reign 16U & 18U AAA levels before moving on to junior hockey with the San Diego Sabers (USPHL). In the 2019 NAHL Draft, Berezowski was selected 36th overall (2nd Round, 4th pick) by the Chippewa Steel.

Berezowski spent 2019–2021 with the Chippewa Steel (NAHL), continuing his development at the Tier II junior level. He then played the 2021–2022 season with Liberty University (ACHA Division I), where the team reached the Nationals Quarterfinals.

Beginning in 2022, Berezowski competed at the NCAA level with Bethel University (NCAA Division III) through 2026. Off the ice, he has maintained strong academic performance and was named the 2022 MIAC Elite All-Conference Male Scholar-Athlete for winter sports, earning a 4.0 GPA.

Matthew Berezowski’s career reflects consistent progression through junior, collegiate, and NCAA hockey while prioritizing academic success.

Jakub Havlíček is a Kapusta Hockey Academy alumnus from Czechia who has followed a steady development path through European and North American hockey.

He began his youth career in Benešov before spending multiple seasons with HC Slavia Praha at the U17 level, gaining experience in Czech national competition. During the 2023–24 season, Havlíček moved up to the U20 level with HC Smíchov 1913, where he produced offensively while continuing his physical development as a forward.

In 2024–25, Havlíček gained valuable North American experience, playing high school hockey at St. John Bosco High School in California and competing with the Frontier Selects LA Prep program. His time in the U.S. allowed him to adapt to a new style of play, improve his English, and develop independence off the ice.

Reflecting on his experience, Havlíček noted that the transition was challenging at first, but ultimately rewarding, providing him with new perspective, friendships, and personal growth. He currently plays for HC Smíchov in Prague and looks forward to returning to North America in the future.

Jakub Havlíček’s path highlights the value of international experience and long-term development, both on and off the ice.