Alliance Hockey

To see information about Alliance Coaches for specific teams, click on the appropriate age group button on the left...

Director of Coaching and Player Development
Coach, Tier I Elite U18 Midget Major AAA
Email: chrisk@alliancehockey.org

Chris is an original co-founder of the organization and during the 6 years Chris led the Bulldogs, his teams achieved 2 TAHA league championships, 4 Texas State Titles, 2 Rocky Mountain District Championships, 2 USA Hockey National Championship births and 1 National Bronze Medal.

In addition to winning Titles and Championships, the past 3 Bulldog 16U Tier I teams coached by Kostopoulos finished the season ranked #6 (2007), #10 (2006), and #5 (2005) in the USHSHO National Rankings.

For the past 2 seasons, Chris has coached at the Division I College Hockey level as an assistant coach on the staff of the Robert Morris University Men’s Division I Hockey Program. During his time in Pittsburgh, Chris helped lead the Colonials to their programs best ever winning percentage in the 07-08 season, and a spot in the College Hockey America Championship Final game in 08-09, with a team of 21 freshman & sophomores.

He has also been on the coaching staff of USA Hockey’s Rocky Mountain District Select Festival for the past 5 years, where he develops & evaluates players from the Region and selects those who move on to the National Festival.

As the Alliance Director of Coaching and Development for the upcoming season, Chris will be instrumental in implementing the new USA Hockey High Performance & Long Term American Development Models within the Alliance organization.

Working closely with the coaching staff and USA Hockey, Chris will ensure Alliance continues to develop elite players capable of competing at juniors, college and beyond, as well as growing the sport in the local area. Over the past 7 years, 68 former Alliance players have moved on to play in the Junior and/or Division I College levels.

A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Chris played Minor Pro in the Central Hockey League, and College Hockey at the University of Toronto. Chris brings over 14 years of coaching and 20 years of playing experience at all levels of hockey to his new role, including Junior A, Division I College and Professional. He also holds a Masters Level coaching certificate.

As a side note, Chris’ brother Tom Kostopoulos currently plays in the NHL for the Montreal Canadiens.

Director of Youth Development
Coach, U12 PeeWee Elite
Email: jounil@alliancehockey.org

Jouni is the Director of Youth Development and leads the PeeWee, Squirt and Mite age groups. He is responsible for aligning the Bulldogs’ program with the new American Development Model (ADM).

Jouni has been called the “Father of Metroplex Youth Hockey”. The Dallas Stars hired him shortly after the club arrived in town from Minnesota in 1993. Jouni basically started the local youth hockey program from scratch and helped build it up to the point where it is today.

Now, 16 years later, not only are there thousands of children playing hockey here, but the area is also producing elite-level talent in all age groups. USA Hockey recognized Jouni as a “Local Hockey Hero” in 2008 for his contributions to youth hockey.

He is the coach-in-chief of the Texas Amateur Hockey Association and in charge of USA Hockey’s Coaching Education Program. Jouni will also continue volunteering his time and talent to benefit Rocky Mountain District’s Player Development Program.

Director of Hockey Operations
Coach, Tier I Elite U14 Bantam AAA
Email:  cclarke27@gmail.com

Cosmo manages the organization camps and clinics, the facilities at Valley Ranch, the off-ice strength and conditioning program, and the community relations with other organizations, the Dallas Stars, NTXHL, TAHA, and USA Hockey.

In addition to playing 5 years of professional hockey, from 1995 to 2000, as well as spending some time being an assistant coach at the professional level, Cosmo has been coaching youth hockey ever since; including 5 years at Alliance.

Cosmo has a Level 5 coaching certificate and is also a certified physical fitness instructor. Cosmo has also spent over 18 years developing, instructing and directing hockey schools across North America and Europe.

In addition to leading teams overseas to compete and win in European Tournaments, Cosmo led the Alliance Midget Major AA team to the Texoma championship for 2003-2004, as well as the Tier II State Championship in 2003-2004.

In 2004-2005, he led his Midget Major AA Team to the Tier II State Championship, and to the USA Hockey Rocky Mountain District Finals in Phoenix, Arizona.

Cosmo is currently coaching his fifth year at Plano West Varsity High School Hockey Team, and led this high school team to numerous advanced playoffs, in addition to winning the 2005 Texas State Championship. Cosmo has also been selected to recruit and train the region's competitive team to go to this year's Chicago Showcase.

Cosmo has a bachelors of Arts degree in recreation and leisure studies from Brock University, Ontario.