Our Staff
Sean Bertoni’s career at Franklin (MA) HS began with a love for both football and hockey, as he grew up playing both sports in his youth. Once Sean was granted the starting goaltender position, he worked to become the backbone to the rebirth of success in the Franklin HS hockey program.
In Sean’s junior year, he sustained a very serious knee injury that required major surgery. After missing the first 15 games of his junior year, he returned in time to lead the Panthers to a 2-1 victory over league power, Canton, and into the state tournament. Sean was given the award for the most dedication to his sport and was also named playoff MVP and overall Team MVP for his senior year.
Sean committed to play his college hockey at UMass Boston, where he was named Team Captain in his junior year. Bertoni then transferred to, and graduated from, Suffolk University. Sean has a Master’s Degree in Education and Applied Behavior Analysis and has spent over 10 years in education.
Sean entered the coaching profession in 2011. In 2014, Bertoni became assistant coach of Oliver Ames HS in Massachusetts, and head coach in 2016. The OA program had three consecutive winning seasons under Coach Bertoni and were contenders in each of those three seasons in the state tournament. He was named Hockomock League Coach of the Year in 2017.
This is Sean’s fourth season with the Railers. In his first year as head coach, Bertoni guided the Railers to their first-ever playoff berth, and an opening round series win.
Bertoni-coached teams are known for their workman-like manner, the energy that they put forth, and the detail with which they play. Sean’s commitment to his players and how he and they share the same goals allows his team to play at a high level and receive many options to be recruited at the NCAA level.
Coach Bertoni resides in Franklin, MA with his two daughters Giuliana and Valentina.
John Fine-Lease played college hockey at Assumption University, where he graduated top of his class in the MBA Management program. As a member of the men’s hockey team, he served as a two-year Captain. In his final season, John led the program to its first ever 16-win season and capped it off by winning the NE-10 league championship. While balancing academics, NCAA hockey, and other responsibilities, John remained a leader in the Worcester community. He was a participant of numerous clubs and organizations on campus, while being involved in multiple community events.
John’s experience has allowed him to draw close connections to current players, while sharing his knowledge of what it takes to play at the next level. During his time at Assumption University, John coached youth players in both skating and skill development. He was involved in many off-season camps and clinics, where John worked with players of all ages and abilities. One of the most memorable was when he traveled to Norway for two weeks to be an on-ice instructor at an overnight camp. Soon following John’s graduate school tenure and championship season at Assumption University, the opportunity arose to join the Railers organization. Because of his love for the game, not much thought was needed, as he accepted the role immediately. John prides himself on being able to share both his experiences and knowledge with the next generation of NCAA hockey players, while giving back to the game that has given him everything. John serves as USPHL Premier Head Coach and NCDC Assistant Coach.
Tyson Araujo
Assistant Coach
Tyson Araujo was born on Martha’s Vineyard, MA where he played 4 years of high school hockey for Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. After graduating, Tyson attended Albany Academy for a Post Graduate year and then played two years of junior hockey in the Eastern Hockey League for the Boston Bandits.
Tyson then attended Nazareth College for one year, then transferred to Wilkes University for their inaugural season where he was named Captain after his sophomore season.
Tyson graduated in 2022, Summa Cum Laude from Wilkes University with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration.
In 2018, Derek Alfama joined the CWHL, “Professional Women’s Hockey”, Worcester Blades serving as their General Manager. Alfama was instrumental with moving the Blades franchise from Boston to the new Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center in Worcester Massachusetts where he also serves as the General Manager.
From 2015 to 2018, while serving as an Assistant Coach at Providence College, Alfama guided the offense to a 7th place national scoring ranking with a 3.16 goals per game average, 2nd place Hockey East Regular Season finish and a consistent National Ranking. He was also part of the staff recognized as 2016/2017 Hockey East Coaching Staff of the Year and 2017/2018 Hockey East Coaching Staff of the Year Runner-up.
Alfama previously served as an assistant coach for the women’s hockey team at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). He began in 2013 and spent two seasons with the Engineers. Prior to his time at RPI, Alfama served as the assistant coach at the College of the Holy Cross. He worked with the Crusaders for two seasons and in both seasons, he helped the team to the ECAC Open Championship game.
Alfama also spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Norwich University (2008-2011). During his time at Norwich, Alfama helped the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances, the quarterfinals in 2008-2009 season and runner up in 2009-2010. Norwich won the NCAA Championship in 2011. While at Norwich, Alfama was part of the staff which received the American College Hockey Association Division III National Staff of the Year Award both in 2010 and 2011.
Alfama, 1996 graduate of Norwich, received a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. He was a 4 year contributor to the Cadet’s men’s ice hockey team. During his senior season, Alfama served as captain and was the recipient of the Robert Priestly Award.
He resides in Douglas, Massachusetts with his wife Angela, his son, Donovan and daughter, Avery.
Derek Alfama
Assistant General Manager