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Coaching Staff

Head Coach Scott Long

Scott accepted the Des Moines Oak Leafs Head coaching position for the  2015-16 season. Scott has coached at the Mite, Squirt Peewee, Bantam, and High School levels over the past 16 seasons. He coached the Des Moines Capitals to the MWHSHL JV state championship in the 07-08 season. 

Scott was born and raised in Des Moines and began playing hockey at the age of 5. He played in the DMYHA house and travel programs and then played for the Des Moines Capitals while in high school. Scott led the Capitals to the IHSHL state championship and was the leagues leading scorer his SR yr. 

After high school Scott went on to play baseball in college, but always had a passion to return to the game of hockey. Scott was offered the DSM Youth hockey (DMYHA) coordinator job in the summer of 2002 and has been with the association ever since. He currently serves as Director of hockey operations for the DMYHA. 

Scott and his family currently reside in the Des Moines area. 


Assistant Coach Robbie George

Coach George grew up playing hockey in Des Moines, Iowa. Robbie was a member of the Oak Leafs from 2004-2008, helping the team capture three consecutive varsity regular season and state championships. He was also named as a team captain his senior year. After high school, Robbie received his bachelor's degree in Finance at the University of Iowa. 

Robbie started as an an assistant coach for the Oak Leafs in  the 2014-15 season. 

Coach George currently works in Investment Operations at Principal Global Investors. 


Goalie & Assistant Coach Derek Hender

Coach Hender grew up playing hockey in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada.

After graduating as a Registered Nurse, Derek moved to New Orleans with his wife, Paula. During their time living in Louisiana, he worked with the New Orleans Brass (ECHL) for 5 years as an off-ice official and ran the New Orleans Adult Hockey League. Since moving to Iowa, Coach Hender has dressed as a backup goalie for the Texas Stars and the Milwaukee Admirals, and serves as the Iowa Wild's Emergency goalie. 

Since 2015 Coach Hender has been a lead instructor and business consultant for Canadian Professional Goalie School (CPGS), which is owned and operated by Steve Briere, NHL Goalie Coach for the Seattle Kraken and before that the Toronto Maple Leafs. While working with CPGS, he also served as Curriculum Consultant for UnLock Goaltender Training Program, which was founded by Steve Briere and Washington Capitals goalie coach, Mitch Korn. Coach Hender was also co-host of the ESPN Radio Show, "The Other State of Hockey". 

He joined the Oak Leafs as  Goalie Coach for the Oak Leafs for the  2013-14 season. Coach Hender is a Level IV certified coach, and has been coaching in DMYHA since 2008 and served as president of DMYHA from 2014-2016. Both of Coach Hender's sons are Oak Leafs Alumni - Jason (graduated 2020) and Dylan (graduated 2022). 

In addition to his R.N., Coach Hender has a business degree and works as a healthcare executive. 

Assistant Coach Jade Pospeshil

Coach Pospeshil grew up playing hockey in Sioux City, IA. Jade was a member of the Sioux City Metros from 1988-1992, helping them capture their first ever State Title in 1991 and then repeat as state champs his senior year in 1992. He was named as a team captain his senior year as well as being named to the league All-State team and Chicago Showcase team. 

After high school Jade joined the Air Force as a member of the Iowa and Texas Air National Guard for 10 years. Jade attended Iowa State University where he obtained his bachelor and masters degree. 

He has coached hockey at all age levels for over 20 years and has served on the DMYHA board as  Player Development/Coaching Director and as girls director for the MWAHA. 

Jade joined the Oak Leafs as an assistant coach for the 2015-16 season. His son Mason is an Oak Leafs alumni  (graduated 2022).

Coach Pospeshil currently works at Corteva - DuPont Pioneer.