Coaching Staff

Steve grew up playing his youth hockey in West Bend Wisconsin and eventually played Midget AAA hockey in Milwaukee with the Pettit National Selects and Wisconsin AAA, both of which are now the Milwaukee Jr. Admirals. After playing Midget Hockey Steve was invited in 2002 to the Phoenix Coyotes rookie camp where a knee injury took him out of camp. After recovery Steve played for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee while going to school. Steve began coaching during this time and coached multiple teams at Wisconsin AAA as well as the Pettit High School team in Milwaukee. After graduating school Steve was recruited to coach in Barrington Illinois where he became the Asst. Hockey Director of the Barrington Redwings and the Barrington Broncos High School program. Over the 4 years at Barrington High School Steve coached the JV and Asst. Coached the Varsity team. Steve's JV team won the High School State Championship 2 times and had 2 state-runner up finishes in four consecutive years. After Barrington Steve moved on to coach at the Mission AAA program and coached Peewee Majors, Bantam Minors, Bantam Majors and U16s and was runner-up in the National Tournament with the Bantam 99's and a semi-finalist with the Bantam Major 03's. Steve also took over as Director of the Lake Zurich High School hockey program and was able to develop a single team struggling high school program into a three school co-op that was able to field two teams and post impressive finishes in the IHSHL each season. Steve has been the Lake Forest High School Hockey Director and Head Varsity Coach for the past two seasons and the program has taken off since. In his first season the Varsity team won the IHSHL Varsity division league championship and for the past two seasons the Varsity team has been in the top 15 of the Varsity programs in the state. Steve also took over the reins at the Winter Club as Hockey Director this past November and it has already made a difference for the High School program. The 2021-22 LFHS Scouts will roster three teams and are moving in the right direction for the upcoming years.

Jimmy Warrick grew up playing in the north shore area of Illinois before going on to play for 2 years at Shattuck St. Mary's. From Shattuck Jimmy starred for two years playing junior hockey in New York where he won league MVP and a scoring title. Following his junior career Jimmy committed to play for the Aurora University Spartans an NCAA D3 team. 

Jimmy has a background in coaching at the AAA level as well as the high school level. He was also a scout for the Johnstown Tomahawks in the NAHL and the London Knights in the Ontario Hockey League. Jimmy also does skating and skills sessions with all age levels. 

Jimmy's passion for coaching started at a young age. He has been working with many youth AA and AAA teams as well as players individually. He is a very energetic and motivated coach who loves the game and loves to teach it. His passion is shared on the ice during every skate. Jimmy takes a personal interest in each and every player, and is committed to ensuring that each player with whom he works is challenged to reach his/her full potential. He does this by using a wide array of experience and success, along with his vast knowledge, to develop and create complete players at all ages and levels. 

Matt started playing hockey around 6 years old and played hockey for about 15 years. Matt's two most recent seasons he played for the Chicago Young Americans AAA. This last 2019/2020 hockey season he played junior hockey out in New York, out there he helped coach practices for all the youth teams. Matt is a young coach bringing a lot of experience to the players and will help each player develop and get ready for whatever there next level may be. 

Claude Desgagne 

Bantam White Head Coach

Alex started playing hockey at the age of 8 for the Skokie flyers and played majority of his younger years in their NIHL travel program. He moved on to play his senior year for his high school and then ended his playing career playing for the Eastern Illinois Panthers in the ACHA. He has a passion for the sport of hockey and is excited to continue that as a coach here at the winter club. As one of our coaches, Alex’s goals are to develop our young player’s skills and grow their passion for the game.

James Coates grew up playing hockey in the Northbrook Bluehawks and Skokie Flyers organizations, with experience at the NIHL Gold and Elite levels. He then went on to play Junior A hockey in the USPHL for three years. Following the conclusion of his playing career, James coached for the Hoffman Estates TImberwolves hockey club for two years at the Peewee Gold and Elite levels. He then went on to coach for the Northern Express hockey club for one year at the CSDHL Bantam Minor level. During that time, James pursued his college education and graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Aerospace Engineering in December of 2020.

Tristian Malone grew up and played hockey in Skokie, Illinois. Tristian started playing hockey when he was 5 years old and has been in love with it ever since. After graduating high school he went to New York and played for the New York Aviators in the USPHL for 2 years. After that he went on to college where would play hockey at Illinois State University. After earning a degree in Psychology and child developed, he is now a special Education teacher in Glencoe. Tristian has a great attitude while coaching and is a huge asset on both Mite Green and Peewee Green.

Nick grew up in Colorado Springs, CO where he played both inline and ice hockey competitively until going to college in Boulder. He and his wife, Natalie, moved to Lake Bluff this spring where he continues to play in both nearby leagues and seasonal tournaments. Forever a student of the game, Nick studies fundamentals and works diligently to continue developing his skills. He has experience with personal skating lessons, coaching at youth skill development camps, has served as assistant coach for various youth teams, and most recently coached the Illinois State University inline hockey team. This is Nick's first season as a head coach at the Winter Club, and he is looking forward to sharing his knowledge and passion for the game.

Dave began his coaching career in 1994 working with players from the ages of mites-peewees until 2008 where he then began to coach at Brookfield High school. Dave came to the Winter Club three seasons ago and brings years of experience as well as a positive attitude and a desire to make players reach their potential. Dave has a ton of passion and it shows every single time he touches the ice. Dave played a key role in helping our Peewee White team make a NIHL Championship appearance in the 2020 season and we are lucky to have him on staff. 

Christy grew up playing AAA hockey in the Chicago land area for CYA and Chicago Mission. She won a national championship at the 14U level and second place her 19U Season. Her Sophomore year of High School she committed to Lindenwood University (NCAA D1) where she played for one year. She then transferred to Miami University and selected for the University games in Russia to represent team USA as the assistant captain. Christy is a great role model for all of our players and her path is one that many of our Winter Club girls can strive for.

Antonia started playing hockey at age 6 in the Northshore area. She played with the boys until age 14 then switched over to girls’ hockey. She continued through high school to college where she played at University of Illinois on their club team during her undergrad. Since graduating she has coached girls’ hockey. She is looking forward to coaching at the Winter Club especially the young female athletes! 

Tommy Sher started playing hockey at 5 years old, playing for the Vernon Hills Ice Dogs. He continued to play on the Mundelein high school varsity team. After his playing career ended, along with coaching at winter club, Tommy recently became a certified personal trainer and is looking forward to Pursuing a career in the fitness industry.

Jack played hockey at Winter Club for seven season. Winter Club was a big part of his childhood growing up, and having the chance to make a positive impact on the kids, as he experienced, is a key reason why he wanted to join the coaching staff. Jack is currently a Senior at Lake Forest High School, and plays for the Hockey and Lacrosse teams. Hockey is a great sport to play, and Jack is excited to see the perspective of the sport through the eyes of a coach. 

Austin is a Senior at Lake Forest High School. He played his youth hockey at Falcons, and now plays hockey at Lake Forest High School. Austin grew up coming to WC and skating with friends. He has always loved the game, and is excited to coach it.

Murphy has been a long time player, member, and student at the Winter Club. He started playing hockey on the ice at WC. His Mom would drop him off at 9am and pick him up at 9pm every day. Murphy is also a key player for the Lake Forest High School Hockey team. Murphy is a great addition to our Mite coaching staff.

Aiden Meredith has been playing hockey for over 10 years and is also a registered official. He attends LFHS and plays for their varsity hockey team. 

Michael Burden is currently a senior at Lake Forest High School and play for the Lake Forest Scouts Varsity. Michael grew up playing hockey for the Winter Club and has said "The Winter Club is truly a great club to play at. Your kids will have a lot of fun, make new friends, and also improve their hockey abilities." We are happy to have Michael on our staff.  

Denean has over 20 years of coaching experience. She began coaching and doing choreography at a local rink her senior year of college in De Pere, Wisconsin. Since then, she has coached all levels of children through adult skaters. She has choreographed routines for individuals, pairs, and groups for multiple ice shows and various skating exhibitions. She also has experience as a competitive IS and US figure skating coach. She has been skating since she was 10 and completed her own skating career as a competitive Intermediate Ladies competitor before entering high school. Denean has a passion and love of the ice that emanates as she teaches all levels of skating. Denean also has been an elementary teacher for over 25 years and currently teaches 3rd grade at a local school.