Welcome To SGT Hockey Development
Our Story
SGT Hockey was created to provide a place where players of all ages and skill levels can come and spend time honing their craft. Following the success of the Columbus Blue Jackets NHL Franchise and the creation of the Blue Jackets Hockey League, the amount of ice available to local teams has decreased as the number of players have increased. Teams have to make the difficult decision to sacrifice player development in favor of team development. SGT Hockey wanted to help provide a solution to that problem.
Hockey has been such a huge part of Mike’s life; a healthy lifestyle, competition, and lifelong friends have come from playing hockey since he was young. After serving his country in the U.S. Marine Corps, he set out to build something hockey-focused that would inspire him daily and give back to the sport that gave him so much. SGT Hockey is looking to help players see that success in sports comes from consistent hard work, that failure is not the opposite of success, and development is not linear. Our hope is we can not only help develop the player, but more importantly help develop the person.
Sgt. Mike Taza
Founder
A Personal Connection to the Game
Our Training Philosophy
How We Started
Giving Back
SGT Hockey was started to foster an inclusive community of people who want to improve their skills (hockey, life), give back to the community, and grow the game they love for future generations. Over the past few years as demand for hockey grew in Central Ohio there was continued rumblings among coaches and parents of a lack of ice in the area. Players were being put on the ice but they weren’t developing the tools to elevate their game to the next level.
Youth sports can sometimes get caught up in the moment and become as competitive as the professional level. As a society, we have to remember the why behind the activity instead of focusing on the results. Physical exercise, communication, team work, resilience, and discipline are some of the learned skills that are required in life beyond the game.
SGT Hockey is looking at the person behind the player role. Be mindful that individual actions (good or bad) have a ripple effect on a greater scale than they realize. The philosophy of SGT Hockey is grounded in two principles. Leave the area better than you found it and treat others how you want to be treated.
Train Different, Play Better
Start Training Smarter Today
The long-term vision for SGT Hockey is to expand access to quality skill development by opening multiple facilities throughout the Columbus area. The ultimate goal is to positively impact the local hockey community by helping develop the high school stars and leaders of tomorrow—both on the ice and in life.
Discipline, Competition, Teamwork & Resilience
Our Team
Training and instruction at SGT Hockey is supported by local coaches, college players, and junior-level athletes, bringing real playing experience and insight into every session. SGT Hockey is also proud to be the home of Delta College Prep, reinforcing its role in the local hockey development pipeline.
SGT Hockey was built on the belief that success comes from consistent hard work, that setbacks are part of growth, and that development is never linear. The mission extends beyond creating better hockey players—it’s about helping develop better people.
We are proud to serve the Columbus, Ohio hockey community, offering a reliable training facility for local players, families, and teams. Our goal is to support the growth of hockey in Central Ohio by providing accessible, professional-level training resources year-round.
SGT Hockey Training Center
Hockey Training for All Levels
At SGT Hockey, player development is approached with intention and perspective. Our training sessions emphasize: Skill-appropriate drills, repetition with purpose, a growth mindset, and focus on the individual within the team environment.
Players train the four core hockey skills—shooting, passing, skating, and stickhandling—through structured sessions designed to simulate real on-ice movement. The focus remains on long-term progress, not short-term results.