Our Founders
Meet the Visionaries Behind Summer Shift Hockey
Paul Cotter
Co-Founder & CEO
The Canton, Michigan, native played for Honeybaked, Compuware, and Little Caesars before being named player of the year in the NAHL for the Brookings Blizzard. First rookie team in the USHL for the Lincoln Stars the following season. Drafted to the Vegas Golden Knights (4th round, 115th overall) in 2018, then committed to Western Michigan University and finished the season with the London Knights in the OHL. Spent 3 years in the AHL split between the Chicago Wolves and Henderson Silver Knights. Played 2 and a half seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights, becoming a Stanley Cup Champion in 2023. Most recently traded to the New Jersey Devils, where he spent the 2024-2025 season.
Jay Keranen
Co-Founder & CEO
Michigan native and 3-year varsity hockey player at Brighton High School. Played junior hockey for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs & Topeka Roadrunners in the NAHL, followed by the Prince George Spruce Kings in the BCHL, where he won the Fred Page Cup & Doyle Cup and received the Outstanding Community Service team award. Played Division 1 hockey at the University of Michigan, studying sports management. During his time at Michigan, he was a 2x B1G Tournament Champion, made 2x Frozen Four appearances, earned 3x Academic All-Big Ten honors, received the Joseph E. Barss True Team Player Award, and the B1G Sportsmanship Award. Currently playing in the ECHL, spending time with the Kalamazoo Wings and Fort Wayne Komets.
Our Story
The Summer Shift was built to bring together the top hockey talent in and around Michigan. Founded by Paul and Jay, the league was created not to just help players stay sharp in the offseason, but to give both elite and emerging talents a space to compete, have fun, and continued development.
Each team features a mix of high school, AAA, junior, college, and professional players. That blend creates a unique opportunity - where younger players can learn directly from those who've already played at the highest levels. Whether it's picking up habits, understanding the pace, or gaining confidence by competing with and against top talent. Summer Shift helps bridge that gap and accelerates player development in a way no others can.
Our league is about more than just hockey. At its core, it's a community. One where players push each other, support one another, and raise the standard together - on and off the ice.