Coaching Staff Announced

Cody Murphy - Squirt White and Mite White

Cody grew up in Lake Forest and played AAA hockey in the Chicagoland area for Team Illinois, Chicago Young Americans, and Chicago Mission, winning seven state championships and advancing to the national championship game during his U18 season. He went on to play junior hockey in the United States Hockey League for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and Tri-City Storm, appearing in over 175 regular season games.

Cody earned an NCAA Division I scholarship to Miami University, where he played from 2011–2015 and appeared in over 130 career games. During his collegiate career, Miami won a regular season championship in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and a playoff championship in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. Following college, Cody attended the Washington Capitals Rookie Camp and went on to play four years of professional hockey in Sweden.

After his playing career ended in 2019, Cody transitioned into coaching and player development. He has served as a head coach in both the United States Premier Hockey League and the North American Hockey League. Most recently, he was the Hockey Director for the Northbrook Bluehawks from 2022–2024, where he coached multiple travel teams and oversaw player development and skills programming.

Cody currently serves as the Hockey Director at Lake Forest Winter Club. In addition to his role at Winter Club, he runs his own player development company, Murphy Hockey, which offers weekly clinics, private lessons, and video coaching focused on long-term player development. Cody currently resides in Northbrook with his wife Sammie, their daughter Hayden, and their two dogs.

Charice Paoli - Mite Green

Charice brings a wealth of experience and passion to our Winter Club team. She has been coaching for over 17 years. She grew up playing for the Chargers through the end of eighth grade, and she was a 12-time varsity letter athlete at Lake Forest Academy. Charice completed an undergraduate degree in elementary and secondary education to earn a K-12 teaching degree. She competed in NCAA cross country and softball programs every season while also participating on club lacrosse and hockey teams.

During her time as a classroom teacher, she completed a master’s in computer science and instructional technology. Her classroom teaching roles transitioned into a district technology specialist role that served multiple K-4 schools on the North Shore.

Charice has worked closely with the Chicago Blackhawks for 10 years as a grassroots growth specialist by overseeing learn to play initiatives and events that continue to grow the game.

Charice is widely known as one of the best youth hockey and powerskating coaches in the area. She provides coaching and technical support across the club's hockey and skating programs, specializing in skill development and personalized training for youth and adult players.

Matt Kunach - Bantam White and Pee Wee White

Matt is entering his 7th season with Winter Club and will coach both Pee Wee White and Bantam White this year. Over the past four seasons as head coach of Pee Wee White, he has led the team to two league championships while promoting a strong culture of development, teamwork, and accountability.

In addition to his success at the youth level, Matt brings high school coaching experience and over 15 years of high-level playing experience, including Triple AAA and Junior Hockey in New York. He is dedicated to helping players grow both on and off the ice through skill development, confidence, character, and a love for the game. Matt takes great pride in being committed to the players, families, and the Winter Club community by prioritizing their growth and experience within the program.

Keith Felt - Pee Wee Green

Keith brings a development-first mindset and a strong coaching background to the Winter Club team. He has spent the past nine years coaching youth hockey across U8 through U14, with experience at levels ranging from house hockey through NIHL Gold. He has served as both a head coach and assistant coach, with recent head coaching roles in the West Dundee Leafs Hockey Program.

Keith’s coaching philosophy is built around developing smarter, more complete hockey players. He emphasizes skating fundamentals, hockey IQ, accountability, and team-first habits, believing that the lessons players learn on the ice should carry into how they compete, lead, and grow off the ice.

A USA Hockey Level 4 certified coach, Keith has helped guide teams to NIHL semifinal appearances and coached a team that won its International Silver Stick regional before advancing to the quarterfinals of the International Silver Stick Championship tournament in Pelham, Ontario. His background includes structured practice planning, game strategy, defensive concepts, skill development, and clear communication with players and families.

Peter Lincoln - Squirt Black

Peter has excelled as a coach at the Winter Club alongside Cody Murphy at the Mite White level. He grew playing at the Winter Club, and has fond memories of skating for our organization. Pete will continue to develop and challenge last season's mite players by serving as the Squirt Black coach in the upcoming season.

Sam Morgan - Squirt Green

Sam grew up playing hockey for the Falcons in Highland Park since he was 6 years old. 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 for the Rolling Meadows Renegades, and he has been with the Winter Club for several years. He is excited about returning this season.

Rocco Ferretti - Mite Black

Rocco Ferretti began playing hockey at the age of five, developing his skills with the Highland Park Falcons, Winter Club, and Glacier Ice Dogs. He played at Lake Forest High School for four years, where he was a two-time All-Star Game selection and served as team captain during his senior year.

Rocco went on to attend Illinois State University, where he earned a degree in Physical Education Teacher Education along with a K–12 Health Education endorsement. During his time at ISU, he played two years of ACHA Club Ice Hockey at both the Division II and Division III levels. He also competed in one season of Club Roller Hockey, helping lead his team to an MCRHL Conference Championship and a National Tournament appearance, advancing to the Elite 8.

Rocco graduated in May 2026 and is currently pursuing a career as a Physical Education and Health Education teacher.

In addition to his playing and academic accomplishments, Rocco will serve as the coach for Mite Black this upcoming fall season. Joining him on the bench will be his father, Dino Ferretti, who previously coached Rocco during his youth hockey years with the Highland Park Falcons and Winter Club.