Youngest Coach in Franchise History Takes Fresno to Nationals in Inaugural Season
- Mar 12, 2021
- 3 min read
The Fresno Monsters won the Pacific Division Championship against the Las Vegas Thunderbirds during their inaugural season in the United States Premier Hockey League and will advance to the Premier National Championship tournament which begins on Thursday, in Chesapeake, VA. They will play in Pool ‘D’ along with the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes, the Midwest West No. 1 seed, and Great Lakes Division No. 2 seed.
Behind the team's success, is the youngest Head Coach in franchise history and former star player of the Fresno Monsters - Cody Key.
Cody was born in 1997 and grew up playing junior hockey in Fresno, CA in the now-defunct Fresno Falcons system which was often coached by former Falcon players. In 2015, Cody was drafted by the Helena Bighorns in the NA3HL draft before deciding to play for the Cheyenne Stampede in the Western States Hockey League.
After a successful season with the Stampede where he had notched 16 goals and 30 assists, Cody returned to Fresno to play for the hometown team in the WSHL; the Fresno Monsters. Under Head Coach Bryce Dale, Cody had another breakout season where he scored 20 goals and 25 assists.
The following two seasons under Head Coach Kevin Kaminski (2016-2018), Cody Key would be named Captain of the Monsters for both. In his two seasons as Captain, Cody scored 85 goals and 143 assists. In his last season in the Western States Hockey League, he would set the league and franchise record for All-Time Assists Per Season (86).
After his final season playing for the Fresno Monsters, Head Coach Kevin Kaminski invited him to join him on the bench as Assistant Coach. This would be Cody's first time trading in his skates and gloves for a suit and tie. Though the Monsters lost the division finals during the 2018-19' season they still amassed a winning record of W: 31 L: 16 OTW: 3 OTL: 1.
Shortly after, Kevin Kaminski left the Fresno Monsters and returned to his hometown in Canada while Cody Key decided to focus on his family after the birth of his first child.
In the summer of 2019, it was announced that the Fresno Monsters would be leaving the Western States Hockey League and join the United States Premier Hockey League to form the foundation of the Pacific Divison. Shortly after, it was announced that Cody Key would be taking over as Head Coach of the Fresno Monsters making him the youngest Head Coach in franchise history at the age of 23.
Cody announced shortly after that he would be naming former Monsters' star players Artem Verbenko (24yr old), Mark Shroyer (25yr old), and Daylon Mannon (22yr old) as his assistant coaches to form the youngest coaching staff in league history. Many called this a risky move at the beginning, citing the coaching staff's inexperience having only just finished playing juniors and college themselves but a move that would ultimately pay off for the Monsters as they would go on to have a winning record of W: 30 L:10 OTL: 1 SOL: 1 and win the Pacific Division Championship.
Cody Key Coaching Record
Career Coaching Record
W:61 L: 26 OTW: 3 OTL: 2 SOL: 1
2018-19 Coaching Record
Assistant Coach (WSHL)
W:31 L:16 OTW: 3 OTL: 1
Lost Western Division Finals
2020-21 Coaching Record
Head Coach (USPHL)
W:30 L:10 OTL: 1 SOL: 1
Won Pacific Division Championship
National Championship appearance in inaugural USPHL season
The youngest Head Coach in franchise history (23)
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Reading about the Youngest Coach in Franchise History Takes Fresno to Nationals in Inaugural Season really struck a chord with me, especially as a current PhD student who’s constantly balancing research deadlines with my part-time work at Affordable Assignments, where I assist students who often come to me with requests like “do my finance assignment.” Because I struggled a lot during my own college days with the same kinds of academic hustles, I’ve developed a deep interest in helping others succeed I’m genuinely conscious about my studies and equally conscious about supporting those who feel overwhelmed. Watching this young coach lead a team to nationals in their very first season feels like a reminder that determination, resilience, and the willingness to keep…
This coaching milestone is so exciting and well deserved! Young leadership brings such a fresh energy to teams. I love seeing passion turn into big opportunities. Personal style plays into confidence too, like rocking the unique Tyler the Creator Bellhop Suit. Wishing continued success for the franchise ahead!
Such an inspiring story—leading a team to Nationals in your very first season is no small feat! Just like that kind of bold leadership, The Today Show 2025 Jill Martin Snoopy Blazer made a confident statement on screen. Both prove that making a strong impression early on really does matter!