USA Hockey

Mike Ayers is in his second season as goaltending coach at USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, and also serves as coordinator of the organization's Warren Strelow National Goaltending Mentor Program.

During the 2011-12 season, Ayers served as the goaltending coach for the gold-medal winning U.S. National Under-18 Team. In six games during the tournament, U.S. netminders allowed just four goals (0.67 goals per game) and had a combined save percentage of .970 with four shutouts.

Ayer’s responsibilities at the NTDP include planning, designing and executing the regular on-ice practices for goaltenders at the NTDP, as well as scouting and evaluating the nation’s top goaltending prospects. In addition to his duties at the NTDP, Ayers is the coordinator of the revolutionary Warren Strelow National Goaltending Mentor Program, which is designed to recruit, develop and produce elite netminders in the United States.

Before his time with the NTDP, Ayers spent two seasons (2009-11) as the goaltending coach at St. Cloud State University of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Prior to the 2009-10 campaign, he served as goaltending coach for the Iowa Chops, the American Hockey League affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Anaheim Ducks.

Ayers was a four-year standout at the University of New Hampshire (2000-04) where he appeared in 102 games and compiled a 58-25-12 (W-L-T) record. He was named USA Hockey's College Player of the Year in 2003, the same season he earned American Hockey Coaches Association/JOFA East Second Team All-America honors. Ayers earned his bachelor’s degree in sports studies.

Ayers went on to compete professionally for four seasons (2004-08) in the American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League and in Europe.