PITTIS EXCITED FOR NEW ROLE WITH JR. AMERKS
The Amerks Hall of Famer was named the new general manager of the Jr. Amerks earlier this month
Sep 10, 2026By Griffin Della Penna | @GriffinDP_
There aren’t many people who would take enjoyment out of moving across the country on short notice. Former Amerk Domenic Pittis and his family find themselves in the small percentage who are in favor of such a colossal endeavor, embracing the relocation from California to the Flower City with open arms. While it’s nice to return to a place that holds a special place in Pittis’ heart, the major reason for his excitement is due to a new opportunity.
Earlier this summer, fellow Amerk alum Francois Methot accepted a position as head coach of the PWHL’s Boston Fleet. Once Pittis saw that the Jr. Americans would be looking for a new general manager, he immediately saw the vacancy as something he would be interested in pursuing. When comparing what the largest youth hockey organization in New York state could offer compared to other opportunities, it didn’t take long to realize that the Jr. Amerks would be the right move personally and professionally.
“The hockey world is a small one,” Pittis said. “I still have some strong connections around Rochester, and my agent is actually from here. We were looking at some other opportunities, and this one kind of came together. It seemed like it would be a good fit and good opportunity to grow in the hockey world.”
After being formally introduced as the Jr. Amerks GM on Sept. 2, Pittis wanted to get boots on the ground in Rochester as soon as possible. Pittis admitted that it might’ve created some extra pressure to find a home that fits a timeline for his daughter to begin school on time. Or the logistics involved moving all of your belonging’s thousands of miles away. However, for the entire Pittis family, the eagerness to begin this new chapter drastically outweighs the stress.
“My wife and I are really excited to be here and so is my daughter who will be playing for the Jr. Amerks. It’s just a great opportunity to be back here and be around a lot of familiar faces and help take youth hockey to the next level in the area,” Pittis said.
It’s been a long time coming for the 2020 Amerks Hall of Fame inductee to return to Rochester. Over three seasons, Pittis recorded 246 points in 204 games, becoming a vital part of two Calder Cup Finals squads in 1999 and 2000. Once his playing days came to an end after 19 years, the Calgary, Alberta, native transitioned to coaching. Even during his stint as a development coach with his hometown Flames, Pittis always kept Rochester on his radar. He even recalled an interview he did during his Hall of Fame induction weekend where he foreshadowed interest in coming back to Western New York.
“You never know where life is going to take you,” Pittis said. “I played a lot of years with a lot of different teams in a couple different countries. You keep those relationships open, especially in the places you had success. Good relationships tend to work for you in a way that you can meet again. I had three great years here in the area… it really was just the right fit and the right time to return [to Rochester].”
In his new role, Pittis will oversee hockey development across the Jr. Amerks’ Tier I/AAA, travel, girls and house programs. This includes leading the organization’s player development plan, supporting coaches and fostering player advancement beyond youth hockey. While being successful on the ice is a priority, Pittis sees a larger impact on having teaching moments that will help these athletes in all areas of life.
“This role just gives me a better opportunity to influence people who want to be around the game and get to the highest level possible,” Pittis said. “You want to create an environment that regardless of where you end up in life that you have lessons you can take away that benefit you moving forward.”
The Jr. Amerks player development program is built so every player, from first-time skater to Tier I prospect, follows the same development plan adapted to their age and skill level. On-ice skills sessions and strength and conditioning are built into every season to develop strong, confident and skilled athletes. As general manager, Pittis will support nearly 1,000 players and 450 coaches and managers across Jr. Amerks teams.
For more information about the Jr. Amerks, visit www.jramerks.com.