HOCKEY OPERATIONS
Steve Barban - Owner
In addition to being the owner of the Navan Grads, Steve Barban has served as the CCHL Chairman of the Board of Governors since 2008. As the league’s Chief Executive Officer, he represents the interests of the twelve franchises and their ownership groups. Steve is committed to icing the best program possible and has provided valuable experience, insight and professionalism to the Grads organization.
Steve’s business accolades are aplenty. Highlights include: inaugural Canadian winner of the T.O. Peterson National Manager of the Year Award in 1996, inaugural winner of the Canadian Dalbar Financial Professional Seal in 1999 – highest overall score nationally of any participating financial advisor from any firm in Canada (profiled in November 1999 Advisor’s Edge magazine) and recipient of the Ottawa Business Journal Top 40 Under 40 Award in 2003 as one of the top 40 upcoming entrepreneurs under the age of 40 in the National Capital Region. More recently, he was once again profiled in the March 2008 PROFIT magazine. His firm was also mentioned as one of Canada’s fastest growing companies in 2007 in the PROFIT 100 annual ranking. He is also currently a member of the Manulife Securities National Retail Advisory Council, the only Manulife Securities Incorporated advisor as a four time member of the council.
As proud as he is of his business life; Steve is even more proud of his family; his spouse who minds their other businesses and their two children who constantly surprise and bring joy to their parents.
Marty Abrams - General Manager & VP Hockey Operations
Abrams enters his 8th year with the Grads, having coached over 1400 Junior A games primarily with the Wellington Dukes of the OJHL and recently passing the 900 wins mark. Under his watch, his teams have made the playoffs for 17 consecutive seasons in the OJHL, capturing two Buckland Cup league titles, two Dudley-Hewitt Central Canada Region Championships and three national Centennial Cup appearances.
As Head Coach and General Manager, Abrams led the Grads franchise to their first CCHL Championship, the Bogart Cup, in 2024, also winning the league’s Coach of the Year award. Abrams also holds the Grads record for most games coached and is first in franchise wins. He holds similar stats during his tenure with the Wellington Dukes.
Internationally, Abrams has represented Canada 7 times, including 6 times being named to the Team Canada East Staff at the World Junior A Challenge. A former OHL Head Coach, he has coached over 300 players who he has helped move on to the NCAA, OHL, QMJHL, Sport and Pro hockey opportunities, including the NHL.
Prior to embarking on a coaching career, Abrams was the Head Scout for the London Knights and worked for the OHL Central Scouting Bureau. He is also a former NHL Draft pick (Washington Capitals) with a playing career that includes time in the CCHL playing for the Pembroke Lumber Kings before moving on to the OHL, where he won a league championship.
Email: [email protected] Cell #: (613) 885-2431
Ryan Woodward, Head Coach & Assistant General Manager
The 2025-26 CCHL season will be Woodward's 8th with the Navan Grads and his 2nd season as Head Coach & Assistant General Manager. Woodward served as the Associate Coach & Assistant GM of the Grads from 2018-2024. In 2023-2024 the Navan Grads captured their 1st Bogart Cup CCHL Championship in franchise history.
He was hired after serving as General Manager and Associate Coach of the Wellington Dukes during the 2017-2018 season. Prior to this position, Woodward worked with Marty Abrams as his Associate Coach and Assistant General Manager of the Wellington Dukes for two seasons.
Woodward spent five seasons as the Head Coach and General Manager of the Picton Pirates Junior ‘C’ Hockey Club. During his tenure with the Pirates he became the all-time winningest coach in franchise history. The Pirates won three consecutive regular season championships and won three league championships. In 2013, the Pirates captured the organization’s first All-Ontario Provincial Junior ‘C’ Schmalz Cup Championship.
Before his coaching career, Woodward played 4 seasons at Oswego State University. In 2006, Woodward was named SUNYAC Player of the Year and NCAA All-American. In 2007, Woodward captained the Oswego State Lakers to the programs first NCAA Division III National Championship.
Prior to his University career, Woodward played 4 seasons for the Wellington Dukes Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club and is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. In 2003, he was named OPJHL Most Valuable Player and OHA Junior ‘A’ Player of the Year. As captain, the Dukes won the Buckland Cup, Dudley Hewitt Cup and was a Semi-Finalist at the 2003 Royal Bank (Centennial) Cup in Charlottetown, PEI.
Goalie Coach
Brian Abrams
Goalie Consultant
Marco Marciano
Billet Coordinator
Laurie Peterman: [email protected]
Official Timekeeper & Scorekeeper
Rene Senecal, Allan Cruickshank, Terry Mushka, Derek Boutilier
Game Day Staff
Laurie Peterman, Christine Abrams, Angela Lenhart, Sylvette Brousseau, Chris Pierre, Megan Weber, Kelley Laxton, Nadine Mahfouz, Cheyanne Ash
Play by Play
Connor Finniss
Scouting Staff
Bill Kerr
Ethan Abrams
Hockey Operations Assistant
Ethan Abrams
Head Trainer
Chuck Dufton
Assistant Trainer
Lee Trellert
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Nick Haince
While the folks named above look after the day-to-day operations of the Grads, we count on numerous, dedicated volunteers to help with the team on game days. The names of these fine team members are found in the Volunteer section.
