AAA Blue Jackets add Nick Petraglia as Executive Vice President

June 4, 2020

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio AAA Blue Jackets have announced the hiring of Nick Petraglia as the Executive Vice President.

A 2004 graduate of Miami University, Petraglia will assist in overseeing all aspects of the program’s business operations. Specifically, he will be responsible for managing the organization’s external relationships and alumni relations. His primary focus will be coordinating and implementing annual fundraising strategies and corporate sales initiatives to help drive revenue for the program. On the ice, Petraglia will serve as a goaltending coach and assist with the organization’s coach and player development models.

“We are thrilled to bring Nick and his family into the AAA Blue Jackets family,” said President Ed Gingher. “Dale and I are excited to add him to our management team. He will be a tremendous asset to our program and the Columbus community. I have a strong relationship with Nick, and the relationship has grown as he recruited, coached and continues to mentor a number of our players. It has been impressive to see how he attacked raising money at Miami. What started as casual conversations last year, turned to serious talks this spring. His well-rounded resume will make us better as an organization. His family is committed to Columbus and that was a huge piece for both sides as we went about this process.”

Petraglia comes to Columbus after spending the past twenty years in Oxford, Ohio as a student-athlete, coach and administrator at Miami University. Most recently, he has served as Miami Athletics’ Director of External Relations where he worked directly with the University’s alumni association and all revenue generating units of the athletic department. He was also the Executive Director of the Blue Line Club for Miami hockey. Under his guidance, the club achieved record numbers in both membership and revenue. As a liaison to the department’s development team, Petraglia worked with all sports on their engagement and fundraising strategies. Additionally, he assisted with the creation and launch of the Miami Athletic Fund and contributed to the successful completion of Miami’s first-ever Athletics-only campaign that raised more than $80 million.

“I am extremely grateful to Ed and the Board of Directors for the opportunity to serve the AAA Blue Jackets program and the local hockey community. Our family could not be more excited to call Columbus home,” Petraglia said. “I cannot wait to get started and look forward to building off of the strong relationships that are already in place. I would be remiss if I did not recognize and thank all of the great people at Miami University that have helped shape me over the past two decades and prepare me for this new and exciting challenge.”

During his 18 seasons with the Miami hockey program, Petraglia helped build the RedHawks into a national power. He was part of teams that won 5 conference championships, participated in 10 NCAA Tournaments and advanced to 2 Frozen Fours. As an assistant coach, he helped guide the Red & White to their first ever playoff championship (CCHA) in 2010-11, a CCHA regular season title in 2012-13 and the program’s first NCHC Frozen Faceoff title in 2014-15. Petraglia has recruited/coached more than 20 players with NHL experience, 12 All-Americans, 32 all-conference selections, 3 conference players of the year and one Hobey Baker Award winner. Additionally, Petraglia has coached several AAA Blue Jackets alumni including Trent Vogelhuber, Sean Kuraly, Kiefer Sherwood, Jack Roslovic, Carson Meyer and Grant Valentine. He was also teammates with current AAA Blue Jackets Director of Strength and Conditioning, Anthony Donskov.

A certified USA Hockey Level IV coach, Petraglia was a charter member and mentor for USA Hockey’s Warren Strelow Program, which is responsible for identifying and developing the nation’s elite level goaltenders. He has worked numerous USA Hockey development camps and assisted with the evaluation and selection of national teams for the National Team Development Program, Hlinka Gretzky Cup and 5 Nations tournaments. During his time in Oxford, Miami’s goaltenders amassed a 283-181-53 record, 2.28 goals against average, .913 save percentage, 54 shutouts and set since season and career records in all major categories. Petraglia is a protege of world-renowned goaltending coach, Mitch Korn.

As a player, the Faribault, MN native helped lead Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep to prominence and was in goal for the program’s first ever USA Hockey U18 National Championship in 1999. At Miami, Petraglia posted a .902 career save percentage and a 2.21 goals-against average in his four years from 2000-04. In his senior season, he set career bests with a 1.94 GAA and .920 save percentage as the RedHawks qualified for the NCAA Tournament. Following the 2001-02 season, he was presented with the team's Most Improved Player Award and was a recipient of Miami's Scholar-Athlete Award in 2004.

Petraglia received his bachelor's degree in sport organization from Miami in 2004 and his master's degree in sport behavior and performance in 2007. He and his wife, Becky, plan to reside in Galena, Ohio with their son, Rocco (7), and daughter, Athena (6).

Petraglia will join the organization on July 1 and will be present at tryouts. Ohio AAA Blue Jackets tryouts are currently scheduled July 6 thru July 12.

What they are saying about Nick Petraglia:

Sean Kuraly - “The OAAABJ and the entire Columbus hockey family are getting one of the best, in Nick. The city and organization are very fortunate to have him, his wife Becky, son Rocco, and daughter Athena come to Columbus. A great addition to Ed Gingher and staff who have worked so hard to make OAAABJ into what it is today. As an OAAABJ alumni you want the best for your program, and I couldn’t be happier that we now have Nick on our side.”

Kiefer Sherwood - “So excited for Trags to join the organization and continue to grow hockey in our city. A great addition to the program."

Jack Roslovic - “Trags is a very dedicated worker who knows lots about the game at all levels and has a true passion for the success of all his players."

Trent Vogelhuber - “Nick is an outstanding addition to the AAA Blue Jackets organization. His passion and love for the game of hockey are unrivaled and the players will have much to learn from his years of collegiate experience as well. On top of everything he is a great human being I can’t think of a better person to help continue to grow hockey in central Ohio and prepare the young players for the next level.”

Anthony Donskov - “Nick is a great hockey man, and a better human being. He was a former teammate during my career at Miami (OH). He will be a great addition to the Ohio AAA Blue Jacket organization.”

Chris Bergeron (Miami University Head Coach) - “Nick is an extremely hard working and loyal guy. He brings experience both on and off the ice. He will be a great addition to the AAA Blue Jackets organization.”

Scott Paluch (USA Hockey ADM Regional Manager)- “Nick is an extremely passionate and knowledgeable hockey guy. He cares about everyone involved with helping youth athletes and will be a great addition to an outstanding youth hockey program”