Our Approach
Our approach is simple: to be a good hockey player you need to first be a good skater. With that in mind, our philosophy emphasizes the value of consistency, repetition, the development of muscle memory and the importance of giving kids a deep knowledge of skating.
Dena Taylor
After achieving her degree in Criminal Justice at Westfield State College, she spent a few years working in Roxbury as a Department of Youth Services case worker. But her love for skating brought her back to the rink in a teaching capacity.
Her lesson regimen works on all aspects of skating – turns, transitions, explosive crossover starts, stride, and quick acceleration. Dena specializes in working with athletes to increase hip flexibility for mohawk turns and spread eagles.
Her mantra when it comes to skating is, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
Aspen Lengyel
Aspen Lengyel has over 13 years of coaching experience with 8 years of emphasis in hockey skating. Her knowledge of skating has formed through working with students ranging from special needs skaters and competitive figure skaters to elite hockey players.
Aspen has worked extensively with all skill levels from mites to D1 committed players and NHL draft prospects. She draws on her background to help teach players with all learning styles in on ice group settings and private lessons. Players develop their transitions, speed, and skating confidence to cement muscle memory through continued work with her. She emphasizes stride work, open hips, and flexibility. Her goal is to provide motivation and support through her coaching approach.
Aspen has had the honor of working with Dena for 13 years and the pleasure of working as part of Dena Taylor Skating since its inception in 2016. She has worked alongside Dena with her teams, ongoing group classes, and intensive summer classes.
Jen Weingarden
Jen Weingarden has been coaching skating for 20 years. During that time she has worked with all varieties of skaters: from competitive figure skaters to elite hockey players. Jen has worked intensively with D1 committed players and NHL draft prospects.
For over 12 years Jen has been training hockey players, working closely on-ice in small groups and private lessons. Jen emphasizes the development of muscle memory allows players to perform at their highest potential and prevent injury. Open hips, fast feet, transitions, and stride are the main areas of focus in Jen’s training. In her work for Dena, Jen has coached with teams, group clinics, and Dena Taylor Skating’s comprehensive summer program. In addition, Jen has collaborated with NHL experienced coaches.
As a Gold rated ISI judge, Jen has a vast knowledge of the ice and movement. Jen and Dena have been coaching alongside each other for 20 years and counting. Jen came on staff with Dena when she founded Dena Taylor Skating in 2016.
Erica Christensen
Erica Christensen appreciates hard work and believes that when you put your mind to something you can achieve it. She fell in love with skating from a very young age. She started off in figure skating enjoying shows and national level competition alike. She made the switch from white skates to black skates freshman year of high school where she went from zero game knowledge to being the girl’s leading scorer in Massachusetts senior year. She then went on to a post grad year at Phillips Academy and then to becoming a member of the inaugural Boston University Division 1 Women’s team.
She holds a Bachelor of Science from Merrimack College and a Master’s Degree from Clemson University.
Erica encourages her skaters to set their own goals and gives them the guidance and skills necessary to achieve those goals both on and off the ice. She instills in her students a strong sense of fundamentals in a nurturing and fun environment. Nothing makes her more proud than seeing hockey players valuing their skating skills and utilizing them to their advantage during games!
Erica has over 20 years of coaching on the ice. Currently you can find Erica coaching for Dena Taylor Skating, teaching private figure skating and hockey lessons in Andover and Lexington, and helping her clients buy and sell real estate at Compass.
Mike Grier
Assistant Coach,
New Jersey Devils
Mike coached at Saint Sebastian’s School, where he played his high school hockey.
He played 1,060 NHL games over 14 NHL seasons. He currently works as the assistant coach for the New Jersey Devils.
Jon Coleman
Assistant Coach,
Bentley University
Jon attended Boston University, where he played four seasons of college hockey with the NCAA Division I Boston University Terriers.
He was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2nd round (48th overall) of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft.
Carl Corazzini
Head coach
St. Mark’s School
Carl played for Saint Sebastian’s School where he was team captain. In college, he played for Boston University.
In 2001, he was signed by the Boston Bruins and scored his first NHL goal in a game against the New York Rangers.
Hal Gill
Voice of the
Nashville Predators.
Hal played 16 NHL seasons with six different teams, including 8 seasons with the Bruins and winning one Stanley Cup with the 2009 Pittsburgh Penguins.
Currently Hal is the radio color commentator for one of his former teams, the Nashville Predators.