Our Team

Juan Carlos Otero

Founder and President

For the past 28 years, Juan Carlos has been using his excellent vision, organizational and communication skills to develop and increase Americhem Pharmaceutical’s presence in Central America and the Caribbean in addition to obtaining key manufacturer representations.

In 2014, he became the first General Manager for the University of Miami Hockey Club. From day one, he began creating an infrastructure conducive to the growth of the program and implemented short and long-term goals. He also developed lasting relationships with key hockey equipment manufacturers, ice rinks, Coaches and General Managers across the country. He also sits on the Board of the Southern Collegiate Hockey Conference (SCHC) for the last three years.

His love for the game of hockey and proud Latino roots, led him to launch Amerigol International Hockey Assoc., in 2017. The mission of Amerigol International is to provide hockey players from Latin America and the Caribbean an opportunity to showcase their talent by participating in the Amerigol Latam Cup Tournament. This tournament in only two years has had tremendous growth and helped increase participation not only in these countries, but also given Latinos living in the United States and Canada an opportunity to participate with their National team.

Juan Carlos’s vision of having the tournament in South Florida has been key in introducing this great game to the local Latin American and Caribbean communities. He is committed and devoted to grow hockey not only in Latin America and the Caribbean, but throughout North America in communities where hockey is not considered a viable sport.

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Juan David Vinueza

Vice President of Hockey Operations and Development

Emailjdvinueza@amerigolhockey.com

Juan David Vinueza (Juanda), was born in Bogotá Colombia. He was 10 years old when he got his first pair of roller skates and it was at age 11 that he fell in love with the game of hockey. Not long after he started playing, one of his teammates ripped a clapper to the goalie who in that moment decided to quit; Juanda was eager to fill in for the goalie. “Since then, goaltending has become somewhat of an obsession”.

After living and studying 10 years in beautiful South Florida, in 2011 Juanda returned to Colombia, where he got involved with the local programs and began training young goalies for his team.

In 2015, TheGoalie.One was born. “We just wanted to make sure that Goalies knew someone was looking out for them, playing goalie is difficult enough, then you add the pressure, discipline, athleticism and everything else it involves”.

During the last six years, Juanda has successfully run Goalie and player specific camps and clinics in different countries like Colombia, Argentina, Spain and the USA. “Working with Amerigol has been a dream, like Juan Carlos, I am a true believer in the talent that can come out of our communities with the right coaching and opportunities.”

Outside of hockey, Juanda is part owner of PMK Digital Learning, a company dedicated to corporate training. The company has been in the family for 30 years and Juanda runs the technology and innovation area, he is in charge of the digital transformation of the company and of its clients, managing projects that involve game development, software development and implementation.

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Wayne Whitmore

Vice President of Operations, People & Culture

Emailwwhitmore@amerigolhockey.com

Wayne Whitmore was born in Rochester, NY and grew up in a typical hockey family. Both his father and younger brother also played hockey. After high school Wayne enlisted in the Army Reserves and spent the next few years training and learning valuable leadership skills. In his early twenties he began coaching travel hockey in Rochester, and it didn't take long for Wayne to find his true passion. Growing the game of hockey.

On September 10th, 2010, Wayne moved to South Florida and immediately began coaching with the Florida Jr Panthers. He has worked with many travel hockey organizations throughout SAHOF and has helped coach hundreds of hockey players not only in Florida, but also all around the US and Canada. In 2013 Wayne was named the Head Coach of the University of Miami Club Hockey team. He coached the Hurricanes from 2013-2019. It was there where he met Juan Carlos Otero and the two began working together. First to grow college hockey at The U and then to grow hockey in South America.

On most nights Wayne can be found managing one of the top restaurants on Fort Lauderdale Beach. He also is on the Board of Directors for the Panthers Warriors. A veterans hockey organization that focuses on providing an alternative form of therapy for disabled veterans through playing hockey. Their members consist of military veterans from all branches of service and most of them are disabled veterans.

Wayne brings a strong marketing and communications background along with an unprecedented ability to connect with everyone he meets. Through his leadership Amerigol International will continue to grow and expand in South America and the Caribbean. "Hockey is a beautiful sport, and everyone deserves a chance to play the game." Wayne Whitmore.

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Sam Kline

Director of Officiating

Sam Kline was born and raised in South Florida. She grew up competitively figure skating and got into hockey officiating when she started college. Since beginning her officiating career, Sam has officiated different levels of men’s and woman’s hockey including the Junior, Professional, and Collegiate levels as well as multiple National Tournaments. She has also been to select officiating training camps around the country, including the NHL’s Officiating Combine.

In 2019 Sam began working with Amerigol International Hockey Assoc. as the Director of Officiating for the LATAM Cup, as well as instructing an officiating camp for the Colombian Ice Hockey Federation.

As a female official, Sam knows first-hand what it is like to be a minority in sports and is committed to the growth and development of not only Latin America and the Caribbean, but equality, opportunity, and inclusion within the great sport of hockey for all races, ethnicities, and genders to include players and referees alike.

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Frank Fernandez

Director, Game Presentation

Frank Fernandez has been a PA Announcer/ Radio Producer in the South Florida market for the past decade. Began PA Announcing for the University of Miami Hurricanes Hockey Club in 2011 and since has been heard announcing for FIU Sports and the Miami Marlins. Aside from announcing, Frank spends his time producing “From Negative to Positive” with Pitbull on PodcastOne. You can also listen to Frank as he plays his role as Executive Producer for Slam Radio on Sirius XM 145 weekdays from 7am - 11am on Good Mornin’ Amigo.

Nicholas Cruz

Media Relations, Digital Media Coordinator

Emailncruz@amerigolhockey.com

Nicholas Cruz was born to Colombian parents in Coral Springs, Florida. Throughout Nicholas’s youth, he found a passion for public speaking and sports. He first started practicing public speaking when he was 11 years old. In middle school, he started an online radio show on a website called BlogTalkRadio, where he won “Best new show” and “Best Radio Host” within the first month, which drew over 4,000 listeners in the year of 2006. In 2013 right after high school, Nicholas got his first professional internship with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in Media for three seasons in which Nicholas was able to connect with local news stations such as Channel 7 news. Sponsors such as Nesquik, Panini, Tires Choice, UM-CARD, and brought post-game content to all social media for fans to watch after each match. After, Nicholas started creating content that included voice-over and on-camera acting for video games and commercials. He has collaborated with companies and colleges such as Broward College, FAU, Adidas, Mihoyo, Loot Crate, VO Life Clothing, Anime Iwai, and Florida Super Con.

Nicholas’s plan of action to bring the game of Hockey to all audiences started in 2022 at the Amerigol Latam Cup, where he met the Brazilian Ice Hockey Team and interviewed the assistant coach of the men’s team. When Nicholas spoke to the coach, and heard, “We play a beautiful sport with passionate people that never get to see ice.” The words resonated, and Nicholas promised to work hard with the community to ensure everyone felt welcome and, most importantly, grow the game for those who want to learn about the sport of Hockey.

Nicholas is studying at FAU and getting his degree in Communications and a minor in Leadership. During Nicholas’s time at FAU, he hosted the March Madness run in 2023, where he was the MC and running social media coverage for FAU, an Owl Radio show called 3DM, reporter and content creator for OWL TV, and is the play-by-play commentator for the FAU Ice Hockey Club and various athletics.

Nicholas plans to connect and build relationships with media outlets and grow Amerigol’s social media presence with new and exciting content for players and the hockey community worldwide.

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Alyssa M. Otero

Administrative Assistant

Alyssa M. Otero was born and raised in South Florida. She is results-oriented high school student with 3 years of work experience and a proven knowledge of branding and business development. Frequently praised as focused by her peers, she can be relied upon to help in any way possible.

Since 2018, Alyssa has been working with Amerigol International Hockey Assoc. assisting with team registrations, participating in the development of online marketing strategies, conducting online marketing initiatives, such as paid ad placement, sponsorship programs, creating content for social media.

She was a Counselor in Training at Camp Lingua in 2019, where she created and ran her own activities with students and assisted in French class.

Alyssa is currently a high school student with an expected graduation date of June 2022.

Relevant Coursework: Advanced Placement Psychology, Debate 1 Honors, English 1 Honors , English 2 Honors , English 3 Honors
Awards & Honors: Inductee for National English Honor Society, Inductee for RHO KAPPA (Honor Society for History), Over 400 community service hours
Extracurricular Activities: Village Mentor, National English Honor Society (NEHS), RHO KAPPA, Debate Team
She is fluent in French and conversational in Spanish

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Ron Robichaud

Consultant

Born and raised in New England

Lived in Wells Maine 30 years

Played hockey since 10 years old (Squirts – Beer League)

1999 Coached and help with the development of Dover NH Rec Youth Hockey

Moved to Florida in 2003

Level 4 USA Hockey Coach

2009-2019: Established, Directed and coached the non- profit organization Florida Sled Hockey and Sports association Inc. Sled Hockey is a sport for physically disabled athletes.

2011-2018: USA Hockey National Sled Hockey Development Camp Equipment manager. Buffalo, NY

Director/Host 2015 USA Hockey Sled Classic Coral Springs, FL. co-hosted by the NHL Florida Panthers,

In 2019 Ron was asked to GM the Puerto Rico team for the Amerigol Latam Cup. Responsible for finding players, fundraising, scheduling, and travel.

2017- Present Working with contacts in Puerto Rico and US to upgrade/repair the rink in Aguadilla, PR. And to help establish Youth and adult hockey, Sled Hockey as well as other ice sports at the Aguadilla Ice Arena in Aguadilla, PR. In the future.

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