INTRODUCING MATT NOGA - DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

MATTHEW NOGA

Introducing Matt Noga to the NC Golden Bears Program. Noga comes to the Carolina's from Chicago Illinois where he most recently was the 12AA coach for the Chicago Bulldogs. Noga has been hired as the Director of Player Development/hockey coach. His expertise is skill development as the NCGB increase their focus on skill development and Hockey IQ in the early stages of player development. 

Noga has an extensive playing career including playing in the NAHL, USHL and Saint Cloud State with former Carolina Hurricane Matt Cullen. Noga spent 6 years in the Minor leagues before realizing he wanted to get into the coaching business.

NCGB founder, Paul Strand, played with Matt Noga in Cincinnati in the ECHL in 2002-03 season as they made a run in the playoffs in what was a memorable season. After crossing paths a few times over the years in hockey rinks of Chicago and Detroit, Noga and Strand found themselves against each other in Nashville during a 200x85 event during the 2023-24 season. Fast Forward, Strand enticed Noga to bring his 20 years of puck control and skill development to North Carolina and the Golden Bears.

'Nogs" as he inevitably becomes known, is one of the premier stickhandling and skills coach of the Chicago hockey scene and 'the Handler' is looking forward to bringing that experience to the NCGB program, with a few simple techniques and drills entrusted to the coaching staff, they can run each practice and that he himself will be employing during the NCGB increased skill sessions. This will give the kids a great foundation of repetition each practice to lay the foundation for increasing the skill base. 

Noga will also be the head coach for the 12AA team and the 14A Green Team

Fun Fact: Noga has seen the David Matthews Band Live more than 280 times.