Coaching Staff

Artem Mateichenko brings international and collegiate playing experience to Aviator Hockey Club as a youth hockey coach. Originally from Kharkiv, Ukraine, Artem represented Ukraine at the U18 and U20 levels, serving as team captain for both the Ukrainian U18 and U20 National Teams. During his time with the national teams, he helped earn gold and bronze medals on the international stage.

Artem later competed in NCAA Division III hockey at Manhattanville University. During his four-year collegiate career, he became Manhattanville’s all-time career assists leader, finishing with 80 assists while earning multiple academic and conference honors. He also represented Ukraine at the 2023 FISU World University Games.

Now focused on player development, Artem brings a strong understanding of skill development, hockey IQ, and the demands of high-level competition. His coaching emphasizes fundamentals, decision-making, work ethic, and helping young players build confidence while continuing to grow their game.

Billy Faulkner | Coach

Billy Faulkner has been a dedicated member of the Aviator Hockey Club coaching staff since the 2008–2009 season, dating back to the early years of Aviator’s travel hockey program. With nearly two decades of coaching experience, Billy has played an integral role in developing young hockey players and building competitive teams within the club.

Billy began his playing career at Xavier High School, where he played four years of varsity hockey. He remains closely connected with the Xavier hockey program and continues to help organize and run the school’s annual alumni hockey game, maintaining strong relationships with the coaching staff and alumni community.

Following his high school career, Billy continued playing at the junior level, spending the2009–2010 season with the Metro Moose.

Billy has built an impressive coaching résumé at Aviator, with a proven record of success at the youth hockey level. His teams have captured back-to-back LIAHL Squirt Championships, winning the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 titles.

In 2026, Billy led his Peewee team to an International Silver Stick Championship, one of the most prestigious accomplishments in youth hockey. His teams are known for their competitiveness, preparation, discipline and commitment to player development.

With extensive experience as both a player and coach, Billy brings a deep understanding of the game and a passion for helping young athletes reach their potential. His long-standing commitment to Aviator Hockey Club and his track record of developing successful teams make him a valued member of the Aviator coaching staff.

Chris Robinson brings a wealth of high-level playing and coaching experience to the Aviator Hockey Club. A former defenseman, Robinson developed through the prestigious Detroit HoneyBaked hockey program before beginning his junior career with the Danville Wings.

Robinson went on to compete in the United States Hockey League with the Danville Wings and Lincoln Stars, gaining valuable experience at one of the top levels of junior hockey in the United States. During his junior career, he was also selected in the 5th round, 84th overall, of the 2001 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection by the Plymouth Whalers.

After his junior career, Robinson continued playing professionally with the Brooklyn Aces of the Eastern Professional Hockey League, bringing his career full circle by competing professionally in his hometown area. Across his documented junior and professional career, Robinson appeared in more than 200 regular-season games.

His playing experience as a defenseman, combined with years of involvement in youth hockey, has given Robinson a strong understanding of player development, defensive fundamentals, team systems and the importance of building confident, disciplined hockey players.

Robinson has also served as a head coach within the Aviator Hockey program, including coaching teams competing at the LIAHL Tier II and New York State Tournament-Bound levels.

Today, Robinson continues to bring his knowledge and experience to Aviator Hockey Club, focusing on developing players both on and off the ice while helping young athletes reach their full potential.

Playing Background:

• Detroit HoneyBaked

• Danville Wings — NAHL/USHL

• Lincoln Stars — USHL

• Brooklyn Aces — EPHL

• 2001 OHL Priority Selection — 5th Round, 84th Overall

• Former professional defenseman

Danny Wicke grew up in the New York City area and participated in several sports, including ice hockey. By high school, hockey had become his primary focus. He played three years of varsity hockey at Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, NY. During his senior year, Danny continued his development by playing Tier II travel hockey for the New York City Cyclones of the LIAHL.

Following his time with the Cyclones, Danny earned an opportunity to walk on and play NCAA Division III hockey at SUNY Brockport.

After his playing career came to an end, Danny turned his passion for hockey toward coaching. He began coaching alongside Chris Werstine at Aviator and, shortly thereafter, launched his travel coaching career in 2009. Danny has been a dedicated member of the Aviator Hockey Club ever since, where he has found a home and built a successful coaching career focused on player development and team success.

Coaching Accomplishments

League Championships — LIAHL & HVHL

● Squirt Tier III

● PeeWee Tier III

NYSAHA State Championship

● Squirt Tier III

Regional Championship

● Squirt Tier III

Silver Stick Regional Championship

● PeeWee Tier III