Professional Coaching Staff
Sara Roch Brayton - Director
Sara is no stranger to the ice, starting skating as toddler she has been on skates her entire life! During her competitive years, Sara has won 2 International and 5 National Synchronized Skating Championships. Her background, training and education is in the technical disciplines of Ice Dancing and Moves in the Field where she has attained the highest level of achievement in US Figure Skating earning her Gold Dances and Senior MIF Tests.
Sara has over 20 years of experience as a skating instructor coaching all levels from LTS to National competitors.
She has focused her attention on training hockey players for the last 7 years. Sara has experience as the Director of the NRI Vikings Power Skating and Hockey Skills' Program. She is a former PHC Blue Chip Selects Power Skating Coach and was previously involved in the PHC LTS program. Sara works with various teams throughout the state and has worked with hundreds of players in New England.
Skating has kept Sara grounded her entire life and she is passionate about passing on her education and unique skill set to athletes who strive to improve their game performance!!
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Professional US Figure Skating Coaches
Ellen Roch Sauco
Ellen is a former US Figure Skating competitor and coach. As Sara's older sister, the duo grew up training and competing on the same skating team. Ellen was a top competitor winning an international championship as well as 4 national titles with her synchronized skating team. Ellen trained in the power skating disciplines of ice dancing and moves in field where she earned her Gold Level dances and Senior MIF skating tests - achieving the highest standards in US Figure Skating.
Ellen is an experienced coach with over a decade of experience as a power skating instructor, her extensive education and background in technical skating is an asset to this all-star team! Ellen is excited to continue coaching for her second season with RI Elite Skating Academy!
Power Skating Instructors
Mike Reynolds
Mike Reynolds
Mike Reynolds
Mike is a Rhode Island native who began playing hockey at a young age in youth leagues across New England. He participated in national prospect showcases where he earned several opportunities to play in various junior leagues across the US and Canada. Mike chose to stay close to home where he split his high school career between St. Ra
Mike is a Rhode Island native who began playing hockey at a young age in youth leagues across New England. He participated in national prospect showcases where he earned several opportunities to play in various junior leagues across the US and Canada. Mike chose to stay close to home where he split his high school career between St. Ray's Academy and Cushing Academy. After high school, he played junior hockey in Canada and college hockey at Curry College. During his playing days he was fortunate to play with and against outstanding athletes. Mike also had the opportunity to be coached and mentored by several influential players.
Mike has been coaching with the academy since April 2024 where he has offered players small group and private instructions. He is looking forward to extending his knowledge and passion to the next generation of players!
Ethan Jasmin
Mike Reynolds
Mike Reynolds
Ethan grew up playing youth hockey in RI for the Providence Hockey Club. He was selected for the National Yankee Conference Camp for 3 years and was one of the best 2004 born players in New England. From there he split his high school career spending 2 years playing for Ponaganset High School and then transferred to Worcester Academy t
Ethan grew up playing youth hockey in RI for the Providence Hockey Club. He was selected for the National Yankee Conference Camp for 3 years and was one of the best 2004 born players in New England. From there he split his high school career spending 2 years playing for Ponaganset High School and then transferred to Worcester Academy to play prep hockey for another 3 years. In that span he won the Conference Finals in his junior year which led him to become captain for his senior year. Ethan has continued his education and hockey career at Niagara University where he is a freshman on the club hockey team.
Ethan joined the academy in the spring of 2024 and he is looking forward to another season on the ice helping to develop the next generation of players!!
Bobby Thayer
Allison Drake
Allison Drake
Bobby has played hockey his entire life from youth leagues to high school where he was All State 3 years in a row and runner up his senior year. He was invited to prospect camps across the nation to showcase his unique playing ability. Bobby had the opportunity to play NCAA but opted to play ACHA Hockey at Trine University in Michigan s
Bobby has played hockey his entire life from youth leagues to high school where he was All State 3 years in a row and runner up his senior year. He was invited to prospect camps across the nation to showcase his unique playing ability. Bobby had the opportunity to play NCAA but opted to play ACHA Hockey at Trine University in Michigan so he wouldn’t have to postpone his education by playing Juniors. He has played alongside great athletes and has had the privilege of being coached by exceptional leaders and mentors. Hockey has truly shaped him into the person he is today and he is thankful for the skills and knowledge he has acquired over the years.
Bobby has been with RI Elite Skating Academy since the first season in 2023. He is looking forward to coming back in 2025 and mentoring the next generation of players!
Allison Drake
Allison Drake
Allison Drake
Allison started skating at a very young age. She played for her town youth program in Massachusetts up until high school where she was on the varsity team freshman year through her senior year.
After high school she went on to play with the URI Women's Hockey program for 2 years where she competed in Division 1 of the American Collegi
Allison started skating at a very young age. She played for her town youth program in Massachusetts up until high school where she was on the varsity team freshman year through her senior year.
After high school she went on to play with the URI Women's Hockey program for 2 years where she competed in Division 1 of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) and the Eastern Collegiate Women's Hockey League (ECWHL).
This is Allison's second season working with RI Elite Skating Academy where she offers 1:1 private power skating instruction as well as group classes.
She is excited for another season!!