Staff

CAN-USA Sports

Robbie & Nellie Nichols

Owners

Phone607-215-1363

NELLIE AND ROBBIE NICHOLS ARE THE OWNERS OF THE ELMIRA PIONEERS (EST. 2010), THE ELMIRA ENFORCERS (EST. 2018), & BATAVIA MUCKDOGS (EST. 2021). THE NICHOLS HAVE BEEN PROVIDING FAMILY AFFORDABLE ENTERTAINMENT FOR OVER 10+ YEARS IN ELMIRA.

ROBBIE, A NATIVE OF HAMILTON ONTARIO, WAS DRAFTED BY THE PHILADELPHIA FLYERS IN 1983 BEFORE SIGNING WITH THE DETROIT RED WINGS IN 1987. HE SPENT 10 YEARS AS A PLAYER INCLUDING AN AHL CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON WITH THE ADIRONDACK REDWINGS IN 1988. AFTER HIS PLAYING CAREER, ROBBIE COACHED FOR ANOTHER 10 SEASONS.

NELLIE GREW UP IN CALIFORNIA WHERE SHE WAS A BIG LA DODGERS FAN. “I LOVE TO SEE FAMILIES GETTING OUTSIDE AND THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN GOING TO A SPORTING EVENT AS A FAMILY”.

THE NICHOLS’ HAVE 4 CHILDREN: TABBATHA, KANE, WITLEY, & DONNY. THEY ALSO HAVE 7 GRANDCHILDREN.

THE NICHOLS HAVE BEEN FOSTER PARENTS FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND HAVE FOSTERED MANY GREAT CHILDREN IN THE ELMIRA AREA.

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Marc & Tabbatha Witt

Partners & General Manager

EmailMWitt.canusa@gmail.com

Marc & Tabbatha Witt have been with CAN-USA Sports since the organization started in 2018. Marc is from Erie PA and a graduate of Edinboro University. He started his career in sports in the ECHL as an account executive for Elmira in 2011 before moving to Oklahoma City in the AHL as a Senior Account Executive the following season. He was then with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL as a Group Event Specialist leading them in sales for 3 seasons. Marc then became the Vice President for the Binghamton Devils AHL franchise for 3 seasons before joining CAN-USA Sports. Tabbatha grew up in Michigan and has worked in the ECHL prior to her time at CAN-USA Sports. She has been part of CAN-USA Sports since 2018 & is the mother of her and Marc’s four children.

Kane Cowper

Operations Manager

Kane is originally from Michigan and the father of two boys, Marshall and Miller with his high school sweetheart. Kane has over 10 years of experience in the world of facility management. He was solely responsible for all facility needs at the First Arena in Elmira New York from 2018-2021. Kane has been with the Elmira Pioneers since 2018 and helps keep Dunn Field gorgeous & historic!

Niagara Falls Americans

Witley Nichols

Operations Manager

Witley is from Michigan and was born into the sports world. She has been the General Manager of the Carolina Lady Hurricanes Women’s hockey organization for 7 years and has been with CAN-USA Sports for 2 years, both with the Batavia Muckdogs. Witley has her Bachelor Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and has over 8 years of experience in the Financial Operations sector.

Emma Crocker

Assistant Operations Manager

Emma is from Abington, Massachusetts but currently resides in Raleigh, North Carolina. She received a bachelors degree in Pre-Law and a Masters in Business Management from Elmira College. She played 5 years of NCAA D3 Ice Hockey, where she was an ACHA 1st Team All American and won 5 league titles with 3 NCAA National Tournament appearances. She is a Director of the Bay State Hockey League out of Rockland, MA and is also employed for a FinTec company, full time.

Michael Gabriele

Head Coach

Charles "Chuck" Harrison

Team Photographer

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Charles "Chuck" Harrison is an experienced baseball photographer. He was the team photographer for the Burlington Herd /Welland Jackfish, both of the Intercounty Baseball League (Ontario) for 6 seasons. He operates the CJH Sports Photography where his work can be seen. He was also a photographer in the Ontario Junior Hockey League and shot for the OJHL Images for 4 seasons. Prior to that Chuck played hockey for the Ferris State University Bulldogs (Michigan) NCAA Division 1. He spent 18 seasons as a professional hockey referee in the (old) International Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League and the Central Hockey League. He also served as the Officiating Coordinator in the Central Hockey League for 8 years. He officiated over 1500 games.

Jeffrey Faunce

PA Announcer

Jeff “Doc” Faunce is an education professor at Niagara University. Before coming to Niagara, Doc was a professor at Medaille University and was the “Voice of the Mavericks.” He was the announcer for almost all of the Medaille sports and play by play man for baseball and softball. Doc lives in the Town of Tonawanda with his wife, Lisa. When he’s not at the ballpark, Doc plays guitar and sings in local bars and restaurants. Doc is a baseball lifer who learned the game listening to Pittsburgh Pirates games on the radio with his Mom.

Kyzer

Team Morale Director

The best morale boy around!

Apollo

Mascot

Apollo was born in 2024 and has quickly become the heart and soul of our stadium. With his impressive wingspan and soaring spirit, Apollo represents the strength, courage, and freedom that our team embodies.

Known for his high-flying antics and ability to energize the crowd, Apollo loves to spread joy and excitement wherever he goes. Whether he's rallying the fans, leading cheers, or posing for photos, Apollo is always ready to bring the fun.

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Alicia McCarvill

Asst. GM

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Alicia McCarvill is from Thornwood, NY and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management and a concentration in Event and Facility Management. Alicia was hired after completing her internship with CAN-USA Sports property (Elmira Pioneers). While at SUNY Cortland, she worked in event operations for the Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey teams. For the past year and a half, she has worked in social media and graphic design for 1616, a program founded by two-time Stanely Cup Champion Andrew Ladd and his wife Brandy that focuses on mental and physical health in youth hockey.