USA Hockey Magazine

Andy Cole, longtime hockey advocate i n t h e S e a t t l e a r e a , h a s s e r v e d a s a n influential figure in growing the game among adults in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years. A f t e r m o v i n g t o S e a t t l e f r o m t h e e a st c o a st o f t h e U. S. d e c a d e s a g o, C o l e founded the Greater Seattle Hockey League (GSHL) in 2001. In the subsequent 20 years, he helped grow the league to over 2,000 participants and 115 teams, building the largest adult ice hockey league in the region. With the arrival of the NHL's Seattle Kraken, a unique opportunity arose. The GSHL and Kraken partnered to continue the sport's growth in the area. The GSHL became the Kraken Hockey League (KHL), as Cole transitioned to a role with the NHL club as Adult H o c k e y D i r e c t o r, w h i l e m a i n t a i n i n g h i s r o l e a s t h e l e a g u e 's commissioner. Building a player base in the Seattle area has been a task Cole has taken head-on, hosting Kraken Learn to Play sessions throughout the year to introduce new people to hockey. The eight-to-10-week courses roll one after another, providing opportunities for people to engage constantly. The Learn to Play courses have been successful in bringing in new players to the KHL, as Cole figures roughly 90 percent of LTP participants immediately register for the league once their course concludes. Stan Wong has served as a longtime contributor to USA Hockey for over two decades. A staple in the hockey commu- nity since 1986, Wong 's commitment to hockey and the well-being of athletes for 40 years as an athletic trainer is well known throughout the sport. After beginning his career with stints in the NFL and USFL, Wong began his hockey journey as head athletic trainer of the Washington Capitals from 1986-1999. After another three seasons as an NHL head ath- letic trainer, this time with the Florida Panthers, Wong began his multi-decade journey with USA Hockey. The Boca Raton, Fla., native's first Team USA assignment came as the athletic trainer for the 2002 Deutschland Cup, a role he has held 10 times. In 2003, he made his IIHF debut as athletic trainer for the U.S. National Junior Team at the World Junior Championship. He has served the same role every subsequent year, serving as a member of staff for all seven gold-medal winning teams at the World Juniors in U.S. history. On top of his work with the U.S. National Junior Team, Wong has also served on staff for five U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Teams, including the 2010 silver-medal winning squad. Wong has been a fixture for the U.S. Men's National Team, serving as a member of staff for 18 IIHF Men's World Championship tournaments, includ- ing when Team USA captured its first gold medal at the event in 92 years in 2025. For his consistent excellence in international hockey, Wong was honored with the 2020 Bob Johnson Award by USA H o c k e y. H e w a s a l s o e n s h r i n e d t o t h e P r o f e s s i o n a l H o c k e y Athletic Trainers Society and the Society of Professional Hockey Equipment Managers Hall of Fame in 2015. Andy Cole John Beadle Adult Member of the Year Stan Wong Dr. Alan Ashare Excellence In Safety Award Click to read more on Cole JUNE 2026 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 37 Click to read more on Wong

• Cover