Our Team

PRESIDENT / OWNER

Rick Cousineau

AWIK Hockey Counseling came as a culmination of life experiences and my love and passion for the game of hockey. Through the years I have seen many changes in the game and the need for players to be well rounded, beyond just learned and natural abilities, to continue to succeed in their hockey career and life. Growing up in Big Rapids, Michigan I played hockey from ages 6 to 18, as well as growing up working on our dairy farm and in our family gravel business. I learned at a young age the meaning of hard work. After graduating high school I served in the United States Navy. During my service I continued to learn that hard work and giving 110%, both physically and mentally, is the only way to succeed in life.

My love and passion for hockey began as a youth, and later refined playing in high school because of dedicated coaches, that expected more out of me both as a player, but more importantly as a person. The life skills learned and developed playing hockey can shape your life in ways you may not understand until later. This realization became apparent to me upon returning to Michigan after my time in the service and taking a job in metro Detroit. Once again becoming involved with Youth Hockey and Scouting for Jr teams here in the state of Michigan. Here I coached Tier 2 Midget AA hockey. Then moving to West Michigan, continued Scouting and working with Jr teams, Refereeing for USA hockey, and later being asked to become Hockey Director for one of our local youth programs. Due to a lack of skilled coaches, I began helping coach teams from Mites through Midgets and eventually coaching and developing a much needed Midget A/AA program. I learned I have a passion for developing/mentoring players, as well as coaches. After 2021, resigning as Hockey Director, I focused on Scouting and working to place players wanting to play hockey beyond high school and midgets, into College and Jr Programs. I love to help players and their families navigate this transition into another chapter of their hockey career.

In 2023, I discovered a need for more Advisor’s/Agents working with players in my local area. Thus, began AWIK Hockey Counseling Associates. Through my network of contacts we are able to offer multiple options for our players. Along with Larissa Mills and The Mental Game Academy (MGA) I am honored to partner with them and offer players valuable tools in furthering their chance of success in not only hockey but in life. Now it is my passion to continue to educate a new group of athletes/young adults that through hard work you can achieve so much in life. My dedication to continue this endeavor is also fueled by players, I coached 20 years ago, sharing with me their life accomplishments, desires, and gratitude still calling me “coach”, as well as remembering fondly those who took valuable time to mentor me.

EVALUATOR / CONSULTATION

Brock Carlston

• Muskegon Chiefs 
• Walker Hawks
• East Kentwood Travel – Little Caesars League Champions
• Mona Shores Varsity- 2005/2006 (Freshman) – Conference Champions
• Mona Shores Varsity- 2006/2007 (Sophomore) – Second Team All State, Regional Champions, Final 4, State Finalist (2^nd)
• Mona Shores Varsity- 2007/2008 (Junior) – Best Offensive Defensemen, All Conference, All Area, OK Tier One Conference Champions
• Cedar Rapids (USHL)- 2008/2009 (Senior Year)
• Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL) – 2009/2010 – Finished 3^rd in the NAHL West Division. Finished 2^nd at National Tournament (Robertson Cup Finals).
• Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL)- 2010/2011 – Finished 1^st in the NAHL West Division, National Champions (Robertson Cup)
• Davenport University (ACHA) – 2011/2012 – Started all 42 games Freshman year. 9 Goals 23 Assists (2^nd on the team for assists), 4^th on the team with total points of 32, 1^st team All-GLCHL & All-Rookie Team 

EVALUATOR / CONSULTATION

Bill Carlston

After 13 years of working for others, I decided to start my own Muskegon real estate company. It is important to me that we provide all of our clients and customers with extraordinary service while helping the Muskegon area. We now serve the community with agents specializing in all areas of real estate (residential, commercial, and industrial sales) as well as land development and relocation services. You can expect great service, integrity, and results from all of our team members.

communications / marketing

Chris Pastotnik

Business owner for 14 years with over 25 years experience working in graphic design and marketing. Focused on creating unique creative solutions tailored to my partners needs. Specializing in bringing print and digital assets together to enhance brands through a wide variety of media. Experienced in print, apparel, web design, social media and custom creative projects.

Former board member for the Lakeshore Youth Hockey Organization’s Muskegon Chiefs.

Current Lakeshore Junior Lumberjacks board member.