Nashville, TN – April 15th, 2025 – The Nashville Jr. Predators (NJP) are excited to announce the integration of the Preds Select “single-A” hockey teams into the NJP program for the 2025-2026 season. This strategic move marks a significant step in unifying Nashville’s youth hockey landscape, while creating a comprehensive development program pathway for players of all skill levels. The “Preds Select” name will be sunset for the 2025-26 season and moving forward the program will be recognized as Nashville Jr. Predators “single-A” hockey.

 

“This is an exciting milestone for youth hockey in Nashville,” said Brandon Walker, NJP Board President, “The integration of the Preds Select program with the Nashville Jr. Predators will allow us to build a more cohesive program and better serve the needs of our players and families, ensuring the Jr. Predators remain at the forefront of Developing, Impacting, and Guiding athletes.”

 

Since its inception in 2016, the Preds Select program has played a pivotal role in growing the game of hockey in Middle Tennessee by fostering competitive play and a pathway to travel hockey at the single A level. The Jr. Predators, working on this transition with the Nashville Predators, aim to strengthen and streamline hockey development in the region by bringing these teams under its umbrella. Preds Select players and families will be provided with significant resources, programming and opportunities, inclusive of a more direct pathway as they advance through the game.

 

“We are proud of the development of the Preds Select program over the past several years but feel the time is right for this evolution in middle Tennessee youth hockey,” said Janeen Lalik, Executive Vice President of SS&E, which oversees community hockey programming and the Ford Ice Centers for the Nashville Predators. “This integration will provide players with a seamless hockey journey as they grow and develop. Because of the leadership of Brandon Walker and the NJP Board of Directors, we are confident the transition will be a positive one for Preds Select players and their families.” 

 

As the local hockey community continues to grow, this change in the Preds Select program reflects a shared commitment to elevating the experience for all players, parents, and coaches while building a strong foundation for the future of youth hockey in Nashville.

 

The transition will include:

• Access to NJP’s experienced coaching staff and development resources
• Comprehensive programming that aligns with the needs of both recreational and competitive players
• A clear path for players to grow and advance within the NJP system, including elite opportunities at the AAA level

For the 2025-26 season, the Nashville Jr. Predators will have seven single-A teams: 10U A1, 10U A2, 12U A1, 12U A2, 14U A1, 14U A2, and 16U A1. Tryouts for all seven teams will be held from Monday, April 28th, to Thursday, May 1st. 

 

2025-26 Tier II (A) Boys Coaching Staff:
 

10U (2016/2015) A1: Josh Pruiksma

Originally from New Jersey, Josh has spent the past three seasons coaching within the Preds Select and Jr. Preds programs. He brings a strong foundation of experience and energy to our 10U age group.

10U (2016/2015) A2: Noah Fleckenstein

Coach Noah played and graduated from MTSU before transitioning to coaching. He has spent the past two seasons assisting teams in the Preds Select program and is now entering his third year within the organization.

12U (2014/2013) A1: Seth Ensor

Seth joins our staff after a six-year professional playing career, most recently in the SPHL with the Knoxville Ice Bears and Pensacola Ice Flyers. He has been actively involved in the Nashville Predators’ youth hockey programs in the offseason and now brings his experience and passion to the full-season staff.

12U (2014/2013) A2: Max Zwierlein

Coach Max played and graduated from John Carroll University before transitioning to coaching with the Jr. Preds. He began as an assistant coach and later served as the Head Coach for the 12U AA team during the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons. This marks his fourth season with the NJP.

14U (2012/2011)A1: Dominick Cuce

Dom joined the Nashville Predators Amateur Hockey Department in 2021 and has served as the Preds Select Program Director for the past three seasons. Originally from New Jersey, he spent five seasons with the NJ Stars youth hockey program before moving to Nashville. Dom is entering his first season with NJP!

14 A2 (2012/2011): Mike Munzel

Coach Mike enters his fourth season with the Preds program, bringing a strong coaching background from his time on Long Island, NY. He and his wife, Jacki, are active members of the Nashville hockey community—Jacki currently serves as the skating coach for both the Nashville Predators and Milwaukee Admirals.

16U (2010/2009) A1: TJ Andreasen

Coach TJ has been a key part of the Preds youth coaching staff since 2019, working across the Nashville Predators grassroots, house, scholastic, and travel programs. His commitment to the growth of the game and his players makes him the ideal fit for our 16U A1 team.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Dom Cuce (dcuce@nashvillepredators.com) or Teddy Rotenberger (trotenberger@jrpredators.com)

 

About the Nashville Jr. Predators:

The Nashville Jr. Predators is a non-profit organization. It was re-established in 2019 when the Nashville Jr. Predators (EST. 2009) and the Thunder AAA Hockey Club (EST. 2004) merged in the players’ and their families’ long-term best interest. NJP operates to execute a positive culture of high standards by Developing, Impacting, and Guiding our youth hockey community. NJP hockey offers student-athletes access to full-time professional hockey coaches who work within the guidelines laid out by the USA Hockey American Development Model (ADM). This is done to develop student-athletes for opportunities in hockey, the classroom, and life. Jr. Predators alumni have been drafted to and/or are playing in the NHL, NCAA, USHL, NAHL, and CHL and have professional outside the game of hockey!