More about our Founder:

Past Experiences
  • Consultant for Central Ohio youth, high school, and collegiate teams
  • Columbus Chill Hockey Club (Founder)​
  • USA Hockey's Goaltending Development Coordinator (Mid-Am Affiliate)
  • Ohio AAA Blue Jackets Head Coach and Director of Goaltending
  • IIHF Goaltender Coach Mentor - 2017 and 2018 Chinese Ice Hockey Federation Coaching and Asian Women's Camps
  • Personal goalie coach for professional and youth goalies
  • 2 years goalie coach for the New Jersey Devils organization
  • 6 years professional goaltender in the Atlanta Thrashers and NJ Devils organizations
  • 4 years collegiate goaltender at The Ohio State University
  • 2 years junior hockey with the Boston Bulldogs
  • Read about Dave's core values as a developmental goaltending coach

Coaching Experience:

In September 2014, after spending two years working full-time for the New Jersey Devils as their Goaltending Coach for the Albany Devils, he decided to make Columbus, Ohio his permanent home and headquarters for Caruso Hockey.

In 1998, Dave began coaching goalies and players in camps, clinics, private lessons, video sessions, and with various ice and roller hockey teams.  Youth, high school, junior, college, and pro players throughout North America have learned from Dave's extensive hockey experiences. He has worked with or was taught by some of the best NHL, AHL, ECHL, NCAA and junior level coaches.

Dave's passion is to help pass on his knowledge and love of hockey to his students.  All Caruso Hockey students are expected to have the same ethic of hard work and a positive attitude modeled by Dave.

One key element to his instruction is that students are taught how to improve their play by understanding the reasoning behind techniques, play making and decision making of the athlete.  Dave supports his students as they learn to grasp skills, concepts, and ideas to help them reach their fullest potentials and dreams of playing at a higher level.

Read about Dave's core values as a developmental goaltending coach

Professional Experience:

Six-season professional career included:
  • 52 American Hockey League appearances with Albany, Lowell, Charlotte and Chicago
  • 186 ECHL games with Trenton and Gwinnett
  • Retired as an active player following the 2011-12 season after seeing action with both Trenton (45 games) and Charlotte (1)
  • Tied for fourth on AHL Devils’ all-time list with 50 games played (J. Parise) and fifth with 2,592 minutes played
  • Not drafted; joined Devils organization after signing as a free agent with Lowell August 2, 2007
  • Made pro debut with Gwinnett after signing with Thrashers’ organization as a free agent July 6, 2006.  
  • See Dave's pro stats.

Photos from Pro Days

Photos from Ohio State

Collegiate Experience:

Dave played for four seasons, 2002-06, at The Ohio State University (CCHA), compiling impressive 52-32-9 mark, with 11 shutouts and a 2.07 goals-against average.
  • Helped guide Buckeyes to three NCAA Tournament berths and the 2004 CCHA Mason Cup (conference tournament champion)
  • Named to conference’s All-Tournament Team as a sophomore, while receiving two All-Conference Team Honorable Mentions (2005, 2006)
  • Voted school’s Most Valuable Player in both his junior and senior seasons.  
  • See Dave's college stats.