OUR COACHES

Yuri Krivokhija
Head Coach InterEl Hockey Academy

Yuri K. became professional hockey player at the age of 16. He represented his country in numerous USSR Junior World Championships, European Championships and Olympics. In 1984-1988 he was a captain of USSR Junior National Team.
In 1989-1991 he played for USSR National team and was coached by hockey legend Viktor Tikhonov. After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, he was a member of National Team Belarus from 1998-2005. Yuri spent 18 years playing professional hockey as a defenseman in the USA, Sweden, Austria and Russia. In 1988 Yuri was drafted by Montreal Canadians in 10th round, 209th overall. Yuri has earned a Master’s Degree in hockey coaching and physical education from Belarus State University. In 2005 he retired from professional playing at the age of 36 and began his coaching career in the Pittsburgh Area.
In recent years, he has won Penguins Cup and State Championship Cups with Quaker Valley as an assistant coach. In 2009 he won the Penguins Cup with Canon Mac as Head coach.
He took U-16AAA Pittsburgh Viper Stars to the National Championship in Buffalo, NY and to the International Ice Hockey Federation Championship in Minsk, Belarus in 2008. He has worked with a lot of players from all over the world in numerous summer camps In 2014 Yuri was invited as a leading TV/Radio hockey analyst at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Minsk, Belarus.
Currently, Yuri is a head coach Esmark Stars AAA U-16 team and assistant coach for U-18 teams. He uses a unique style of coaching by combining Eastern European and North American visions of play and techniques. Yuri is the founder and the Head Coach of the International Eite Hockey Academy and is very excited to share his experience, knowledge and passion of the game with young, eager and willing to learn athletes.
In 1989-1991 he played for USSR National team and was coached by hockey legend Viktor Tikhonov. After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, he was a member of National Team Belarus from 1998-2005. Yuri spent 18 years playing professional hockey as a defenseman in the USA, Sweden, Austria and Russia. In 1988 Yuri was drafted by Montreal Canadians in 10th round, 209th overall. Yuri has earned a Master’s Degree in hockey coaching and physical education from Belarus State University. In 2005 he retired from professional playing at the age of 36 and began his coaching career in the Pittsburgh Area.
In recent years, he has won Penguins Cup and State Championship Cups with Quaker Valley as an assistant coach. In 2009 he won the Penguins Cup with Canon Mac as Head coach.
He took U-16AAA Pittsburgh Viper Stars to the National Championship in Buffalo, NY and to the International Ice Hockey Federation Championship in Minsk, Belarus in 2008. He has worked with a lot of players from all over the world in numerous summer camps In 2014 Yuri was invited as a leading TV/Radio hockey analyst at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Minsk, Belarus.
Currently, Yuri is a head coach Esmark Stars AAA U-16 team and assistant coach for U-18 teams. He uses a unique style of coaching by combining Eastern European and North American visions of play and techniques. Yuri is the founder and the Head Coach of the International Eite Hockey Academy and is very excited to share his experience, knowledge and passion of the game with young, eager and willing to learn athletes.

Our coaches, top row from left to right:
Carter Eckberg
NAHL player/ Instructor for Interel
Nylan Nagy Holy Cross, Division 1
Parkes Knepshield Certified strength and conditioning specialist MS, CSCS, PES
Yuri Krivokhija Head Coach and Owner IntEl Hockey Academy; Head Coach Esmark Stars U-16 AAA, U-13 AAA, Director of Hockey Operations Mt. Lebanon, Head Coach Varsity AAA, Former Professional Hockey Player
Michael Mazzotto Instructor for Interel
Mike Heltman Head coach for Pittsburgh Esmark Stars/ lead coach for Interel
Alex Baskakov Power skating coach and head instructor for Interel
Nylan Nagy Holy Cross, Division 1
Parkes Knepshield Certified strength and conditioning specialist MS, CSCS, PES
Yuri Krivokhija Head Coach and Owner IntEl Hockey Academy; Head Coach Esmark Stars U-16 AAA, U-13 AAA, Director of Hockey Operations Mt. Lebanon, Head Coach Varsity AAA, Former Professional Hockey Player
Michael Mazzotto Instructor for Interel
Mike Heltman Head coach for Pittsburgh Esmark Stars/ lead coach for Interel
Alex Baskakov Power skating coach and head instructor for Interel
Bottom row from left to right:
Adam Alavi
NAHL player/ instructor for Interel
Like Kopchak Pittsburgh Viper Stars head coach/ instructor for Interel
Not pictured: David McNaughton – Certified Personal Trainer/Certified Sports Nutritionist/ owner at www.evolutionary-fitness.com
Like Kopchak Pittsburgh Viper Stars head coach/ instructor for Interel
Not pictured: David McNaughton – Certified Personal Trainer/Certified Sports Nutritionist/ owner at www.evolutionary-fitness.com
I want to take this opportunity to tell you what an amazing camp you put together for defensemen. I’ve coached my son’s hockey team in our small town of Indiana, PA for seven years ( 3 as a head coach) and have always impressed upon my players the importance of defense. From transition skating to skating with your head up and reading the play from many different angles it’s without a doubt one of the hardest positions to play. Your high-level drills and techniques are second to none! We’ve been to many camps but they are nowhere near the level as yours. My son Mason has learned so much in just a week's time and loves the discipline and structure you bring. We are a believer in Coach Yuri and will most certainly come back time and again.
Kevin Musser
“Thank you Yuri, Alona and all the coaches for an awesome week at camp. My son has truly enjoyed the camp the past 2 years. Wishing you all a beautiful year!”
Theresa Yanovich
“Our sons skating improved more from one week of Yuri’s Camp than it did all season.
A great Camp if you are prepared to work hard!”
The Erdos
“Jayden had a great time. He learned a lot and is now practicing his new skills. He enjoyed the team and said he wants to come back! ? Well done to all the team behind the scene for putting the camp together, they were extremely professional, flexible, attentive, kind and providing Jayden the direction he required.
Thank you!!”
Sukhi Garcha
“At the recommendation of a friend, our daughter (Team Pittsburgh U14) attended this camp. Never have we so clearly witnessed one single training event effecting such a marked improvement in her game. Her speed, passing, and shooting improved to the point at which we almost did not recognize her on the ice. The results were remarkable — certainly better than anything any of my three players have seen from any other Pittsburgh-area training in the past. We are signing her and our other two players up NOW for the next summer. Thank you!”
Sue McGrath
“We just wanted to let you know we thought your camp was the best camp our son has participated in. The intensity was great! The timed skating the first day and the last day are proof that hard-work pays off. Our son Hunter improved a lot. He really enjoyed it and knew he was getting some of the best training. We will definitely recommend this camp to our friends and we will be back again! Thanks for helping our son to become a better skater and player!”
Trent and Jen Harris
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