HEAD COACH

Liam Tully joins us from Atlanta, Georgia where he grew up playing hockey, and continued his playing career at the junior and professional level. After finishing his professional hockey career, Liam got involved in coaching and developed a passion for individual skill development, and team tactics. Liam has helped countless players achieve their goals and is proud to have played a part in their success.

Liam has over 10 years of coaching knowledge and experience from youth hockey to the junior levels. He’s been involved in many roles in his coaching career and has a strong desire to continuously grow the game of hockey. Prior to joining the Nashville Spartans for his inaugural season, Liam served as the Assistant Hockey Director for the Atlanta Madhatters, in addition to coaching the U12, U14 and U16 teams. Liam’s passion and focus is to create a positive environment for player development on and off the ice in order to advance players on to the next level.

Liam currently resides in Nolensville, where he enjoys other passions on his free time such as fitness and art.

Contact Coach Tully

Cell: 678-276-5975

Email: l.tully@nashvillespartanshockey.com

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH

Matej Ilencik is a native of Slovakia and joins us for his second year with the Nashville Warriors and the Athlete's Compound. Ilencik started playing junior hockey at 14 years old in Slovakia and quickly developed into a Junior National Team player during his U16, U17 and U18 playing years for Dukla Trencin. He also competed for the Slovakian National Team in World Juniors U18 for 3 years. After his career in Slovakia, he spent 4 years in Sweden in the highest Swedish junior league (Sodertajle SK) and continued on to play two years professionally for Dukla Trencin and Liptovsky. Unfortunately due to injuries, he had to retire early and has been focusing on strength training. He is a full time member of the Athlete Compound and the Warriors and resides in Brentwood, TN.

SKILLS COACH

Viktor Tikhonov joins us for his first season with the Nashville Spartans. Tikhonov is a Russian native and former professional NHL forward. Viktor was originally selected 28th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, by the Phoenix Coyotes. After several years in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Coyotes, Tikhonov moved to the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia, where he spent four years with SKA St. Petersburg. In 2015, he returned to the NHL, signing a contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, appearing in 11 games for them before he was claimed on waivers by the Coyotes. Born in Latvia while it was still a member of the USSR, Tikhonov has represented Russia internationally, participating in several World Championships and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Viktor resides in Brentwood, Tennessee with his wife Genia and two children Lev and Sofia.