Who we are | Bravehearts Hockey

Meet The Team

Max Maksimyadis

Founder, President

Max Maksimyadis started playing hockey when he was 7 years old with the New York Raptors. He played for two other teams (Southern Conn Storm and the Montgomery Cheetahs) after he founded the Northern Bravehearts. Max started playing goalie at 8 years old and fell in love with the position and never looked back. Max won the USA Disabled athlete of the year in 2008, which was the last year the award went to a Special Hockey player. Max is dedicated to ensuring that hockey is a sport for everyone!

Dom Alessandro

Head Coach

Coach Dom is a certified coach with the American Special Hockey Association. He first became aware of special hockey when his son Luke was born with Down syndrome, 17 years ago. Dom is an avid hockey player and plays on two adult teams in Danbury. Each winter he builds a backyard ice rink where Luke began to skate at the age of 5. Dom lives in Danbury and is a partner in a graphic design firm, Alessandro/Weber Design. Besides designing the Bravehearts logo he has also created the team logos for most of the Danbury minor league hockey teams including the Trashers and the current Hat Tricks.

Ryan Marcus

Volunteer Coach, Treasurer, Web Designer

Ryan is a Senior at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, NY, where he plays on the Varsity Hockey Team. Ryan also plays for the Bedford Bears, and he played for the Westchester Express for many years. Ryan has been working with the Northern Bravehearts Hockey Club for over 5 years. He loves coaching players of all ages and abilities. Ryan incorporated Bravehearts as a 501 (c) (3). He is a passionate hockey player and advocate for the special needs community. Ryan has a younger sister, Kirsten, and a rescue dog named Champ.

Featured Players: 2026