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.

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.

Growing up in Colorado Springs, Nick played both inline and ice hockey competitively until attending UC-Boulder. His career as an Engineer in manufacturing has afforded him the opportunity to live in many different places from New York to New Mexico. Shortly after moving to Lake Bluff in Spring 2022, he joined the coaching staff at The Winter Club as Squirt Green Assistant Coach.

Now a Level 3 coach, his experience began with coaching roller hockey at University of Southern Illinois. Nick's coaching philosophy revolves around nurturing a passion for the game, focusing on fundamental techniques, skills, and a solid grasp of the game's rules and strategies. Through clear communication, respectful competition, and pushing players beyond their comfort zones, he enjoys seeing players improve each time they hit the ice. While victories are gratifying, he has learned that, at this stage, fostering a fearless attitude towards failure and prioritizing daily improvement will set players up for a fulfilling experience playing hockey.

Nick continues to play in adult leagues, charity tournaments, and pickup games any chance he gets. And in the offseason, he enjoys working with both Mites and Squirts at skills development camps.

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.

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. 

Before being named an assistant coach, Evan has had a prolific hockey career. He started with his hometown Skokie Flyers and finished high school with the Wisconsin Rampage out of the MJHL and then left to play with the Rochester Icehawks in the NA3HL. After junior hockey, he left to join the University of Illinois Division 1 ACHA team where they placed second at the National Tournament his first year. Graduating with an Bachelors in Economics, Evan is looking to continue his knowledge and enjoyment for the game as a coach. Previously coaching youth programs in both Rochester and Champaign, he is excited to bring his experience to the Winter Club.

Mitch played goalie his whole career at the AA level and AAA level. He ended up being the captain of his high school team the first goalie in school history at Notre Dame College Prep to wear the “C”. Mitch ended up playing Junior hockey in Alexandria, Minnesota, and Wausau, Wisconsin where Mitch scored his first goal ever as a goalie. He then played in the NAHL for the Wisconsin Windigo.

As a coach Mitch wants young goaltenders to bring their best each and every day and wants to change lives on and off the ice. 

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.

Sam grew up playing hockey for the Falcons in Highland Park since he was 6 years old. After that he played at Lake Zurich High School and played for Coach Steve his junior and senior year. Sam attended the University of Iowa and graduated with an accounting degree in 2018. Currently Sam is working as an accountant for a company called Holland which provides welding services to the major railroads. Sam started coaching two years ago for the Rolling Meadows Renegades and am looking forward to his first season at the winter club.

Kirby is a senior at Lake Forest High School and has been playing hockey for 12 years. We are excited to have Kirby coaching and helping players progress through the year.

Andrew is a senior at Lake Forest High School and currently a goalie for the Scouts varsity team. He grew up playing hockey at the Falcons and Bulldogs hockey clubs. Andrew frequently spent many days at the winter club skating with friends, and is excited to now be coaching and showing younger kids how to be great hockey players and teammates.

Michael started playing Hockey at the Winter Club when he was 8 and played there until he couldn't. He's currently a defenseman for the Scouts Varsity team. Michael is excited to win games and see players progress from the beginning to the end.

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.