Gary Apelian
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Current Residence: The Woodlands, TX
Occupation: Commercial Construction Project Manager | AD Healthcare / Landmark Hospitality Group
Coaching Experience:
● 2025 – 26 Rice University Ice Hockey | ACHA / ACDC | Head Coach
● Spring/Summer ’26 Houston House Hockey, Aerodrome | 10U Head Coach & 1U Assistant Coach
● 2025 – 26 Houston House Hockey, Aerodrome | 14U | Assistant Coach
● 2021 – 24 California Golden Bears | 8UA, 10UA, 12UA, 14UAA | Head Coach & Assistant Coach
● 2022 Victory Hockey Camps | Power Skating & Skills Coach (Guest)
● 2018 – 19 California Heat Hockey | 8UA, 14UAA | Head Coach & Assistant Coach
● 2016 – 18 Pasadena Maple Leafs | 10UA | Assistant Coach
● 2009 – 16 California Golden Bears | 10UA, 12UA, & 14UA | Head Coach & Assistant Coach
● 1998 – 02 California Golden Bears | 10UA, 12UA | Assistant Coach
Playing Experience:
● 2002 – 09 Team Armenia, National Team | IIHF
● 1998 – 02 California State University, Northridge | PCHA
● 1990 – 98 California Golden Bears | SCAHA
Coaching Biography
Coach Gary Apelian is a dedicated ice hockey coach with more than 35 years of experience as a player, international competitor, and coach. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to developing athletes and fostering a lifelong passion for the game both on and off the ice. He currently serves as the Head Coach of the Rice University Hockey Team, where he is helping establish a culture built on discipline, accountability, teamwork, and competitive excellence.
For more than 25 years, Gary has coached within the Southern California Amateur Hockey Association (SCAHA), earning a reputation for emphasizing skill development, sportsmanship, and personal growth while helping athletes reach their full potential.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Gary's passion for hockey began at the age of eight and was fueled by the arrival of Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings in the late 1980s. He developed through the California Golden Bears organization, competing at both the AA and AAA levels before continuing his playing career at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where he played four seasons for the Matadors.
In 2003, Gary earned the opportunity to compete professionally and represent Team Armenia at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships. Over six years of international competition, he gained invaluable experience competing on the world stage while helping Armenia earn its first-ever medal in a team sport. His international career included a bronze medal at the 2006 IIHF World Championship in Reykjavik, Iceland, and a silver medal in 2009 in Yerevan, Armenia.
Gary is honored to join the Houston Jr. Aeros organization as Head Coach of the 10U team. He is especially excited to coach both collegiate student-athletes at Rice University and young players within the Jr. Aeros organization, creating a unique pathway for mentorship and development. He views this opportunity as a chance to inspire the next generation of hockey players and help prepare them for future success at the highest levels of the game.
Whether coaching at the collegiate or youth level, Gary brings the same passion, experience, and commitment to every team. His goal remains unchanged: to develop student-athletes, grow the game of hockey, and make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of every player he has the privilege to coach.
Coaching Philosophy
Coach Apelian believes that hockey is more than a game—it is a platform for teaching character, accountability, resilience, and teamwork. His coaching philosophy centers on creating a positive, challenging environment where every player feels supported, develops strong fundamental skills, and learns the value of hard work, respect, and selflessness. While competing to win is an important part of the game, Coach Apelian's primary goal is to help young athletes grow into confident, disciplined individuals who lead by example both on and off the ice while developing a lifelong passion for hockey.
USAH Hockey Coaching Certification: Level 4
Favorite Quote: “A good coach will make his players see what they can be, rather than what they are.” – Ara Parseghian, Notre Dame Head Coach