Executive

Rob will be entering his first season as Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the Florida Jr Blades. A level 4 USA Hockey Certified Coach, Weingartner brings over 30 years of hockey experience to the Jr Blades organization. For the past 8 seasons Rob has managed and coached the Wichita Jr Thunder of the WSHL, highlighted by capturing the Thorne Cup in 2017. Rob’s coaching career began as an Assistant Coach for the Wichita Thunder (CHL) from 

 2005 to 2007 where he was then named Head Coach for the remainder of the 2007-08 season. Rob has also been instrumental in his commitment to develop youth hockey programs in his areas and has instructed numerous hockey camps throughout his career . Mostly noted for his relentless work ethic and his ability to always put the team first, Rob had an 8-year professional career as a player in the CHL, ECHL and IHL. Throughout his playing career, Rob has been fortunate to have been coached by great coaches that molded his coaching style, Doug Shedden (DEL Head Coach, 5X Champion), John Torchetti (former NHL Head Coach), Geoff Ward (NHL Head Coach and Stanley Cup Champion), Randy Carlyle (former NHL Head Coach) and Don Jackson (Former NHL Assistant Coach, DEL Head Coach, 5 X Champion). Rob notes Systems, Structure and Work Ethic are the base of any successful program and believes video analysis is key to a players development.

Born in New York and growing up playing hockey for long Island’s PAL organization, Rob’s hockey career wouldn’t be a traditional route, but one that was based on hard work and commitment. He played two years of Midget Travel before playing two years at Broome Community College. Still having a year left of Junior hockey, Rob played his only season of junior hockey bouncing around a few different teams before finishing up the year in the NAHL for the Kalamazoo Jr Wings. Unable to earn a scholarship to play Division I, Rob tried out for several teams in the minor leagues before getting the call to go to Wichita, Kansas to play for the Thunder. In his four years with the Thunder of the CHL under coach Shedden, Weingartner won two championships and was named team captain. He then followed coach Shedden to Lafayette, LA in the ECHL, although there were no championships, there were two finals appearances and opportunities to play at the higher level. Rob was called up to the IHL for the first time during the 1996-97 season for a short stint then signed a contract the following year with the Ft Wayne Komets of the IHL. Playing in only 14 games out of the 26 for the Komets, Weingartner was sent back to Lafayette where he would post the best numbers of his career and in doing so was honored with an invite to the Edmonton Oilers training camp in 1998. Rob ended up playing two more seasons in the ECHL with Lafayette and Arkansas before his career ended at the end of the 1999-00 season.

Rob and wife Renee are in their 25th year of marriage and have 3 children, daughter Madison who is 24 and twin boys Jake and Carson who are 19. 

Eric Richard will serve as the General Manager and oversee the day-to-day operation of the Jr. Blades. Originally from Quebec, Canada Ricard brings three (3) decades of hockey experience, spanning five (5) professional leagues including the AHL, IHL, CHL, WPHL, ECHL (Florida Everblades inaugural season), roller hockey, and skills coaching experiences. 

His notable professional career included being selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1989 Entry Draft and receiving defenseman of the year honors while playing for the Fort Worth Fire (CHL) and the New Mexico Scorpions (WPHL). 

After hanging up his skates, Ricard joined the ranks of the business world holding multiple executive positions within different companies including Marriott International. Most recently, he served as the Vice President of International Sales for Edge Systems, California. 

Ricard has been actively involved with Hertz Arena since he first played here and cannot wait to push the Jr. Blades to new heights. 

 With over 25 years’ experience in junior hockey, Ron Kinnear provides valuable leadership to the Jr. Blades organization. Having helped found the N.Y. Bobcats of the AJHL and the Junior Islanders of the USPHL, Kinnear serves as the President of the Jr. Blades and GM of the Jr. Islanders 

Ron has helped lead teams to 12 USA Hockey National appearances and won it all in 2008. Ron has produced numerous NHL, professional and collegiate players and continues to dedicate his time to the development of USA hockey.