Samuel Kapusta - WSHL San Diego Sabers - "I had a great time playing for Jr.Reign 12 AAA all the way to 18 AAA and for coach Tomas Kapusta. I really enjoyed this journey and I will never forget all my teammates and a great time we had with each other. Being a Jr Reign Player really helped me to mature as a player and as a man. I currently play for WSHL San Diego Sabers and attend my second year at UC San Diego studying computer science."
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Dylan Hadfield - NAHL Kenai River Brown Bears - "When I first started playing for Coach Tomas, I think I took the game a little too serious and was too hard on myself. He reminded me many times throughout the next couple of seasons to relax and just play. Those reminders and the fun, small game like set up at practices really helped me enjoy the game more and play how I should be playing."
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Aidan Metcalfe - NAHL SHREVEPORT MUDBUGS - "I played for the California Wildcats before they were the Reign my 16AAA year. Our team bonded really well and we had a pretty good season. I had a really good year and had a lot of fun. I was put in a position where I was able to develop a lot as a player on and off the ice. That was my last year of playing hockey in California and I think playing under Tomas really helped get me ready for the next level of juniors and beyond."
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"One of my most fond moments, looking back on my last 18u season with the Ontario Jr. Reign, coached by Thomas Kapusta, was our triumphant 2 comeback wins in shootouts against the Kings and sharks in state Playoffs. The experience for me was something out of a movie. The tight knit group that we had that year proved that we could accomplish anything. It meant the most to win those games with that group of guys. It’s a memory I’ll look back on and have the pleasure of never regretting a moment of it." - Darion Conaway |
"I played for Tomas my second year of Bantam. He had a big impact on my game developmental wise and is a big reason why I’m at where I’m at." – Colton Huard |
"Playing at the Wildcats for Tomas during my 14u and 16u years has been one of the best decisions I have made as a developing hockey player. Not only did I learn to develop my individual skill, but I also developed my hockey IQ. Every practice seemed like I learned something new and made noticeable strides towards being a better hockey player. Tomas implements things from the higher levels to his style of coaching. It has been very helpful to learn so much about what I am doing now at such a young age. I feel so ahead of everyone on my team as far as skill and knowledge. There hasn’t been a day at this level of hockey, whether it is practice or a game, that I didn’t do with Tomas. I have a lot of my hockey career to thank Tomas for. He truly does an amazing job." – Drake Usher |
"Playing for this team and under coach Kapusta was the best experience what I ever had. Coach Kapusta helped with everything what I wanted." – Michal Sup |
"One of the greatest experiences I had while playing hockey. I played for Tomas in 12/13. Developed into a different player that allowed me to try out for the German second league and make it." – Lukas Valasek |
"Anaheim Wildcats, 2013/14, My experience was very good. I got a lot of opportunity to grow as a hockey player and a leader. The coaching staff was supporting through the entire year and taught us a lot. It was important for me to go through a year full of games in which I got a lot of ice time. Overall my experience was pretty good." – Jan Senkerik |
"I started playing with the club when it was still the wildcats back in 2015 and finished my youth hockey career when it was changed to the Jr Reign. My experience was one of the best I had playing hockey, I played with that same group of guys for 4-5 years and grew a strong bond with them. Those years meant a lot to me in my hockey career and it helped shape my character and view on the game, I learned how to view the game differently and strengthen the weaker parts of my game to mold me in an all around good player. Playing for Tomas have me confidence in my game to play at the next level." – Nick Abernathy |
"Playing for Tomas Kapusta was a privilege and honor that had a chance to experience through my hockey development years. Coach Tomas selected me from hockey camp in Slovakia. I played for Junior Reign from 2015-2018, and I have to say ,that was the best time of my hockey career for my development as a player and as a personality. Coach Tomas Kapusta and Deren Berezowski took real care of us and helped us to reach our maximum potential in practice on a daily basis. The Junior Reign program offered many extra practices off and on the ice that made the progress even faster. Tomas took care of every single player and helped him in areas that we were struggling the most. The professional approach from a coach was something I’ve never seen before. From barely playing in AA teams , Coach Tomas helped me reach AAA level within a year. With the AAA Team I had a chance to travel across the states and meet competition from all over the country, which motivated me to become a better player. Traveling together as a team created a special bond between the players and those friendships last till today. Coming to the USA and playing for Tomas in Junior Reign was for sure the best decision I’ve ever made." – Filip Chudy |
"I played there in 2017. It was really good experience for me and for my future. It push me to start working more and I made new friends." - Kristian Leška |
"I played for coach Kapusta peewees bantams and my freshman year of high school. I wouldn’t be the same player I am now if it wasn’t for him. I was playing forward but he moved me back to defense and taught me what I know today. He did a lot for me and I know I wouldn’t be In the same spot I am in now if it wasn’t for Kapusta. He is a great coach. I also felt like I could talk to him and wasn’t scared to approach him if I needed something." – Gunner Moore |
"When playing at the Wildcats/JR. Reign I had a good AAA experience traveling and playing hockey. I loved playing for the team and had a lot of fun at the tournaments. Playing for the JR. Reign gave me the opportunity to play at a high level while still being able to enjoy playing the game. All of the coaches were super easy to talk to and were good at skill development." – Jordan Eisenmann |
"The experience I had with the Jr. Reign was definitely once in a lifetime. Being an out of state player was an amazing experience. Being coached under Tomas and Daren was one of the best in my life. Having them as coaches was awesome. Not only did they want to see you succeed at the level you’re playing at, but what comes next in your hockey career. The endless tips and practices really helped shape me into the player I am now. I played under Tomas and Daren for 3 years in my midget career. These years were some of the best in my hockey career. Gaining countless memories and even lifelong friends. I truly hope anyone else can have the same experience I had playing for the Jr. Reign." – John Chiarelli |
"2015-2016 Bantam AA great coaching staff thank you" – Cameron Sylvester |
"My time playing under Coach Kapusta has been one of the highlights of my hockey career. The lifelong friendships and experiences during my 5 years with Kapusta have helped shaped me into the man I am today." – Preston Park |
"I will never forget Coach Tomas. He not only gave me the chance to play in an international tournament in Central Europe playing and traveling in 3 different countries when I was only 16, but he was also one of the most crucial teachers for me gaining speed on the ice in my career. Some of his methods are unordinary, and all of them are rigorous, but he has a track record of making a speed Demon out of almost anyone if they’re willing to work with him and listen. I took lessons and played for Tomas multiple times throughout my career, and I only regret not putting in more work at the time with such a great coach." – Spencer Taylor |
"Coach Kapusta was a great coach. His attention to detail was very beneficial to my development. Among other things he helped me with, I took skating lessons from him, and to this day my skating is the best attribute in my hockey game." - Luc Salem |
"Coach Kapusta helped me learn to skate and develop my skills as a minor player in Squirts and Pewees. He is an excellent coach and has great knowledge in every aspect of the game!" – Alexander Krause |
"I played for Coach Kapusta for two years. Looking back, he was one of my best coaches. He was tough, but fair. He always pushed me to be my best. He had the ability to read and adjust to any game situation like no other coach." – Hunter Johnson |
"Playing AAA for the Wildcats from 2012 to 2014 and then 2016/17 was excellent for my development as a goalie." – Connor Duffy |
"I grew up playing for Tomas when I was in Mites, and he took a chance on me because he saw something in me. I then played for him in high school, my freshman year, for St. John Bosco where we would end up winning the championship. I owe a lot of my successes to Tomas because he has shaped a big part of the player I am today. I feel like I wouldn't be where I am today without Tomas." – Hunter Sansbury |
"I played for Coach Tomas from 2009-2012 for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings. Playing for Coach Tomas was without a doubt the best time of my hockey career due to his coaching methods and helping players develop into the best hockey players they can be while also being a kind and trustworthy coach. This experience helped me to reach the Junior level and helped me become a well-rounded player as well as an individual." – Joshua Racataian |
"Tomas Kapusta very best at bring out the best in any player of all skill levels. Tomas is very capable and should be coaching at a very high level." – Wyatt Wong |
"Coach Kapusta was my coach when I was playing Pee Wee AAA for the Wildcats. I had a great experience under his guidance that year as he helped teach all of us what it takes to play at a high level." – John Mulvihill |
"Playing for the wildcats under Kapusta as my coach for my 14u season really changed my attitude with the game. He really helped me get better physically as a player but also mentally with my confidence as a player. He helped show me who I was as a player and that I feel led me to what kind of player I’ve become." – Eric Easterson |
"I played for Coach Kapusta from my Peewee AAA year all the way through Bantam 14u. I will be forever grateful to him for his dedication, year after year, to the team and to me as a player. I always remember him focusing on team development, and he was able to take a group of kids who never played together and create a winning culture for the years I played for him. Playing for Coach K. taught me the importance of having good working ethic and being a good teammate. I will remember these lessons for the rest of my hockey career and my life." – Jakob Wepman |
"Tomas was always patience with me and helped me develop my weaknesses as a player which allowed me to become a better overall player." - Aidan Patterson |
"When I was 8-13 I had the privilege of being coached by Coach Thomas. He would run Monday night clinics that included all of the teams of the 2001 birth year. With that being said I was the only girl at every skate and Coach Thomas would always pick me to demo the drills in front of everyone. That gave me so much confidence and he would find every opportunity to praise my style of play." – Lily Yovetich |
"I played for Tomas when I was a mite and squirt as well as receiving guidance throughout my whole playing career. Tomas is a great, honest, and caring coach. I always remember him as a tough and diligent coach which taught me how to handle adversity as a young age. I am very grateful to of had Thomas as a coach." – Lucas Bachofner |
"For me, its showed me whats hockey about, it gave me joy to hockey, it was so much fun and i enjoyed the year in US. The system we played is what i needed in that age, i got so much faster. I came back to Slovakia and i felt like im flying on the ice, it gave me a boost and drive to the net. Coach was calm and inteligent, he talked to us like hockey player to hockey player. I played so much games it was a crazy year full of tournaments and games for two clubs. I made alots of friends, coming back there every second year to see my family and friends." – Sebastian Slavik |
"I played for Tomas my 16AAA year when we were still the Wildcats. I had a great experience. I felt like I really developed with Tomas and was given a lot of opportunities under his guidance. Everyone on the team was really close which made it a really fun year. This was also my last year of AAA in California, so it meant a lot to play it for the Wildcats. I think playing for Tomas got me ready for the next level and I wouldn’t have wanted to play for any other team." – Aidan Metcalfe |
"I have known Tomas Kapusta since I began playing in-house hockey at 5 years old. His early influence on me made me really want to work hard and excel at hockey. Tomas’ coaching made trying out for his Wildcats team an easy choice when I was looking to join a travel hockey team. Of all the coaches I’ve had, nobody had the kind of hockey intelligence that Tomas has. His system of how to play hockey is the best I’ve experienced. He has a tough, but fair coaching style. He expects 110% from his players, but gives that and more in return. If you work hard, play smart, pay attention and are coachable, you will for sure become a way better hockey player. I always felt very proud to play on Tomas’ team, not only because I respect him and his extensive background and knowledge of hockey, but also because I saw how he was respected by other coaches, refs, parents and many people in the hockey community. He has great integrity and always brought in others with the same level of dedication to the players and held them to his high standards. I always felt challenged by him, the assistant coaches and dry land coaches who pushed me to my limits and made me then give more. There is no doubt in my mind that I reached a higher level of hockey because I was coached by Tomas. His passion for the game and what he’s done for me won’t be forgotten." – Ryan Gridley |
"Coach Tomas was huge in my development as a hockey player and as a person. He taught me all the fundamentals of hockey as well as what kind of preparation it takes to be successful at hockey at a high level. I played for him in Mites and Squirts as well as Bantam AAA for Coach Tomas." – Nick Nast |
"I have been skating with Coach Kapusta for as long as I remember. I started my hockey career with him at a super young age in what used to be the "Little Kings" program, and then continued to play for him throughout my career on the Jr. Kings, through direct coaching and private lessons. Upon leaving the Jr. Kings program and attending Phillips Academy, Coach Kapusta and I remained in contact, and he allowed me to skate with his Jr. Reign team as well as his WSHL team. Without knowing much about the teams or the skates, I could always trust that Coach Kapusta would run an extremely good skate. I entirely believe that my hockey career would not be nearly as good without the help of Coach Kapusta. Besides teaching me almost everything I know in hockey, having him as a coach has also taught me how to be a good teammate, a leader, disciplined, hard-working, and competitive." - Michael Gallagher |