The Mentors Behind The Momentum
Our mentors are the force behind your momentum, providing the critical guidance that transforms effort into purposeful progress. Through our training, our goal is not only to teach you how to become a better skater, but a smarter and more effective hockey player. We achieve this by moving beyond simple technique to focus on the interconnected skills that ensure your powerful stride is always directed with purpose, propelling your journey forward.
Raymond Jacques Jr
Founder & Head Coach
Curtis Brackenbury
Skating Scientist & Mentor
Michelle Jacques
Program Manager
Raymond Jacques
Consultant & Mentor
Acadia Kopec
Skating Specialist
Melina Shaw
Videographer
Raymond Jacques Jr
Founder & Head Coach
Ray Jacques Jr. began his hockey career with the Lowell Junior Riverhawks at UMass Lowell. He later attended Austin Preparatory School in Reading, Ma, while starting his junior hockey career with the Salem Ice Dogs. Ray went on to play in the EJHL for the New York Applecore. Ray played three years at Salem State College before transferring to St. Olaf College where he would finish his hockey career. Raymond is the director of the TeamONE Hockey Boys Program, and brings a wealth of knowledge involving the defensive position as well as skating technique and skills. Ray has worked closely with NHL skating coach, Curtis Brackenbury, former NHL and U.S. National Team Coach, Mike Eaves, and USHL Des Moines Buccaneers Coach, Dave Red Allison. Ray is excited to implement the skills he has acquired from his hockey career in his new program inspired by Curtis Brackenbury, Down to 90 Skating!
Curtis Brackenbury
Skating Scientist & Mentor
Curtis Brackenbury played in the NHL for the Edmonton Oilers during the years of 1980-1982, and also played for the St. Louis Blues for the 1982-83 season. After his years in the NHL, Curtis devoted his time to the study of skating stride, technique, and mindfulness to develop his own method to improve the ability of young and older hockey players alike. He has invested his life into the game, and has touched the lives of many players far and wide, including that of Ray Jacques Jr. Without the training that he underwent with Curtis, he may not have become the college hockey player and coach that he is today. He is truly a special coach and person, and we look forward to working with him this summer to get the players Down to 90!
Michelle Jacques
Program Manager
Michelle Jacques, wife of Raymond P. Jacques, is the driving force behind the structure that is TeamONE Hockey and Down to 90 Skating. Michelle is in charge of coordinating all ice times for both the Down to 90 Program as well as both the TeamONE Hockey Boys and Girls Programs, and has managed check in, jerseys, tournament schedules, and roster coordination. She goes above and beyond to make sure that our program is well maintained, and puts it in the best possible place to succeed. We here at Down to 90 are very lucky to have a woman like Michelle, and we value not only her skills as an organizer/planner, but as a person as well, and we look forward to the many years ahead!
Raymond Jacques
Consultant & Mentor
Raymond P Jacques Is the owner of the TeamONE Hockey Girls and Boys Program, and brings with him the knowledge of years of experience in professional hockey. Raymond P. Jacques, CFP, is the founder and President of New England Schooner, Inc. An industry veteran of more than 30 years, Ray specializes in creating custom financial strategies for individual and institutional investors. Today, he oversees the investment and management of over $500 million in client assets. Outside of his professional career, Ray is most passionate about hockey and advancing the USA Hockey Foundation’s mission to, “Strengthen American hockey by providing support in participation, opportunity, safety, player development, education and commemoration.” He has been inducted into the University of Maine’s Athletic Hall of Fame, honoring him for his award-winning 1981 to 1985 career, playing Right Wing and serving as legendary University of Maine Hockey Coach Shawn Walsh’s first Captain. Ray has been a mentor to his son Ray Jr as he was growing up playing hockey, and continues to inspire him every day to be the very best that he can be. He is very excited to have his father join him in his new venture inspired by Curtis Brackenbury, Down To 90 Skating!
Acadia Kopec
Skating Specialist
Acadia brings the expertise of over 20 years of figure skating to Down to 90. She began her skating career at a small club at Fitchburg State University before transitioning her membership to the Skating Club of Boston. There she was a national and international competitor for seven years with Team Excel Synchronized Skating, earning a national medal and ranking 7th in the country at the Senior level. Acadia is a Gold Medalist in USFS Skating Skills and completed her Silver Ice Dance tests. Since graduating college, Acadia built a coaching career in the Worcester area preparing multiple students for competitions each season. She is the Associate Director of Skating Programs at the Worcester Ice Center and recently became the Head Coach for the College of the Holy Cross figure skating team. Acadia has been an asset to DT90 with her experience and knowledge around the skating stride, and we are very excited to have her join our team!
Melina Shaw
Videographer
Melina started her hockey journey later than most. She first learned how to skate and began playing when she was 11 years old. Even though she was late to the game, hockey quickly became one of the biggest parts of her life. Over the years, hockey taught her much more than just the sport itself. It taught her discipline, resilience, teamwork, and the importance of always showing up working to improve, both on and off the ice. The lessons she learned through hockey have shaped who she is and continue to help her in many areas of life. She is excited to be part of the DT90 program because she wants to give back to the hockey community that has given so much to her. Now as a coach, she wants to be able to help young players see their progress and develop their skills so they can have that very same experience she had with the game. Her hope is to help them build confidence, fall in love with the game, and create the same passion for hockey that she's been lucky enough to experience. We here at DT90 are very happy to have Melina join us as our Videographer, and look forward to all of the training yet to come!
