Staff

Coaching Staff

Tyler Maxwell

Head Coach

Former Professional Tyler Maxwell of Manhattan Beach has agreed to terms with the Grizzlies for the upcoming inaugural season as the Grizzlies bolster their on-ice operations. The Grizzlies ownership group is extremely excited for what Maxwell will be able to bring to the organization. With a decorated resume boasting extensive depth in the game, his experience and wealth of knowledge combined with a profound professional network will not only lead the Grizzlies on the bench, but also birth a winning culture in the lockerroom.

Maxwell finished playing midget hockey for the LA Jr. Kings and from their he was picked up by the Western Hockey League's Everett Silvertips thus starting his major junior hockey career. After finishing his major junior career with a WHL championship and a trip to the Memorial Cup, Maxwell left the Edmonton Oil Kings to join the professional ranks starting with National Hockey League rookie camps with the Los Angeles Kings and the Minnesota Wild. Maxwell ultimately signed with Red Bull Salzburg in Austria before returning to the United States to be close to home. During that time, Maxwell spent time in the East Coast Hockey League with the Utah Grizzlies, Bakersfield Condors, Ontario Reign, Stockton Thunder, Alaska Aces-where he served as an assitant captain and finished his career with the Toledo Walleye. Maxwell also spent a year in Italy with the Elite A league's Valpellice Bulldogs which earned him an invite to the American Hockey League's Bridgeport Sound Tigers (now Islanders). In addition, Maxwell has also attended Team USA's NTDP main camp as well as evaluation skates and select festivals for Team USA.

With key elements coming into place, the Grizzlies are prepping for a successful inaugural season. From on the ice to off the ice, the Grizzlies are hand-selecting the best candidates. Assembling a hockey team is no easy task and assembling a great hockey team is even more challenging but with Maxwell behind the bench, the Grizzlies confidently look to him to lead the charge for the boys in orange this year as the first puck drop approaches.

Sales and Marketing

Bill Robertson

Account Executive

Meet Bill Robertson! Bill joined the California Grizzlies as a Sales Executive in 2024. He is a lifelong hockey fan who has been a season ticket holder for the LA Kings and Ontario Reign cheering on future NHL greats. He was in attendance at several historic hockey events including the Kings’ Miracle on Manchester, the Mighty Ducks First Flight Classic, and the AHL All Star Skills Competition, when Martin Frk hit the hardest hockey shot ever recorded.

Bill’s professional experience ranges from the entertainment industry and retail management to the mortgage industry where he was a respected loan officer trainer, director of HR, recruiter, and customer experience expert. Most recently, he is a respected business consultant who focuses on business development, HR consulting, employee training and development, communications, community outreach, commercial finance, and building mutually beneficial business relationships and partnerships.

Bill is also a published author, journalist, and content creator who has been published hundreds of times over the years. Lately, he has turned his attention toward children’s books which are inspired by his son, Daniel.

In his free time, Bill loves to travel and has been to 49 of the 50 states and over a dozen countries. He loves every moment he spends with his eight-year-old son at baseball, soccer, karate, and of course, hockey games.

He is excited to bring his years of business experience and relationships in Orange County to the California Grizzlies and can’t wait until we drop the puck on the 2024-2025 professional hockey season in the OC.

Eric Poli

Account Executive

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With a passion for hockey as the foundation of his professional career, Eric brings a multitude of operational dimension and experience to the California Grizzlies Hockey LLC.

Having spent time across the entire West Coast from the Pacific Northwest to Southern California, Eric is familiar with the unique differences in culture of West Coast hockey.

Coming from the NHL with sales and development experience for the Anaheim Ducks Hockey Club in funding their youth-oriented programs, Eric has been responsible for adding to the professional game-day fan experience.

Through his background in creative-industries with building corporate identities and forming strong brand partnerships, Eric has done prospective work on commercial design projects for major clients such as Nike, Stance and Hurley.

Blending his expertise and professionalism in supporting the needs of local businesses, Eric provides a bridge between the organizational goals of the California Grizzlies with the demands of its sponsors.

As a local sports coach and educator, one of the long-term goals he has is in developing the authentic hockey culture in Southern California by growing the local developmental pipeline from amateur to professional ranks.

Eric is most comfortable operating at the center of sports, retail and entertainment and in doing so through the long-term vision of the California Grizzlies and its brave and bold administration.

Ownership

Kyle Kabacinski

Co-Owner

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From Detroit, MI, Kyle comes to Orange County experienced and versed in junior, collegiate, semi-professional and minor professional hockey. Hitting the ice for the first time when he was 4 years old, Kyle worked and earned his way through the hockey world playing his junior career in the mid-west before playing collegiate hockey at a christian college in Michigan. Rochester College now Rochester Christian University in Michigan is where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business/Administration and Sports Management. Post-graduation, Kyle spent time coaching youth hockey in Detroit as well as furthering his playing career between the minor professional (single A) and semi-professional ranks. Outside of hockey, Kyle also has spent time within semi-professional football and minor professional arena football furthering his experience in professional sports as an athlete.

Still working as an on-ice camp and private instructor at Simply Defense/Strictly Shooting Hockey School in the summer where he travels all over the Northeastern and Midwestern United States, Kyle currently spends time in Detroit, MI, Long Beach, CA and Las Vegas, NV with his fiancée, daughter and the rest of his family. In addition to co-owning and operating the California Grizzlies, Kyle also co-owns and operates the Motor City Club, an outdoor property site-management company, and Jackpot Logistics, a freight logistics company. Outside of his companies, Kyle is a Scout for the Motor City Gamblers, a junior hockey club in the United States Premier Hockey League, a 2024 State Champion field events (shot put and discus) track coach at Divine Child Catholic High School in Dearborn, MI, and a high-school soccer official with Michigan High School Athletic Association. Kyle has also worked on musical scores for and has appeared as an extra in a couple of independent films.

Frank Santelli

Co-Owner

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Born and raised in Charleston, S.C., Francis began his hockey career at the young age of 9 years old and by the time he had reached junior hockey, he was attracting the attention of local coaches with the Charleston Wolverines thus kicking off his journey. Spending time around the northeastern seaboard, Francis finished his junior career in Canada. After attending camp for the Steel City Warriors (single A minor professional), he was ultimately offered a position on the roster making him the first professional hockey player to come out of the Low Country or greater Charleston region. From there, Francis continued his professional playing career for several domestic and international (Turkey) organizations before deciding to turn the page to the next chapter of his hockey career.

Francis is a co-owner of the California Grizzlies as well as Jackpot Logistics, a freight logistics company. When Francis is not working for his companies, he spends time as an on-ice camp and private instructor at Simply Defense/Strictly Shooting Hockey School as well as a Scout for the Motor City Gamblers, a junior hockey club in the United States Premier Hockey League. Francis currently resides in Las Vegas, NV with his beloved husky named Bo and malamute named Sinatra. Francis also appeared in the 2013 movie Joe’s War.