Jon Waibel --  Head Coach/General Manager

A native of Baudette, Minnesota, the 2010-2011 season is Waibel's fifth with the organization, the first in his new role as Head Coach. 

Just 28 years of age, Waibel had a successful college career where he won two NCAA national championships in his four seasons with the Minnesota Golden Gophers (2002, 2003). He also spent 2 seasons in the USHL playing for the United States National Team Development Program for then head coach Jeff Jackson (Notre Dame). 

jwaibel@chicagosteelhockeyteam.com
Office Phone: (630) 594-1164






 

Kelly Gee -- Goaltending Consultant

 Jeff Blindauer -- Head Strength and Conditioning Coach - MS, CCS, USAW

Jeff received both his bachelor's and Master's degrees from South Dakota State University. He is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and also a Certified Sports Performance Coach through USA Weightlifting. Jeff holds many State Powerlifting and Weightlifting records and has coached two state powerlifters that set American records. 

Jeff ran the program for the Sioux Falls Stampede designed by Kevin Ziegler,  which helped the Stampede win the Anderson Cup in 2006 and the Clark Cup in 2007. Jeff provided complete strength and conditioning for the team. These services include comprehensive in-season training; warm-ups, strength technique training, nutrition services, conditioning, recovery, post injury rehab, motivation, and aerobic and anaerobic power training.  He also provided an off season training manual and year round follow up and communication with each player who doesn't stay in the area.

Among many other great hockey players, he has trained players such as Hobey Baker, winner of the Marty Sertich; Stanley Cup winners, Chad LaRose and Alex Goligoski; Thomas Vanek of the Buffalo Sabres; and Andreas Nodl of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Brett Roat -- Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach

Brett's experience speaks for itself in many regards. Starting at Andrew High School Metro West, Roat has been a stellar example and leader for those around him being on the hockey All-star teams and being a leading scorer. While playing for the Minnesota Ice Hawks and Butte Irish in the Juniors level his offensive skills soared leading him to be named “Most Improved Player” in 2001. While playing for the Irish he was the 3^rd overall in the league for goals. Moving into his professional career he held many awards and improved his skills over time.  From 2003-2006 he played in the SPHL, ECHL, and UHL and on the side took jobs to break into the coaching world. His many different positions helped him keep a sharp eye for talent as he became a scout for both the Topeka Roadrunners and Helena Bighorns. Now as the Assistant Strength and Conditioning coach, Roat will bring his talents and keen ability to the Chicago Steel.

James Brewer -- Equipment Manager

Jim started with the Steel during the 2005-2006 season and then took the job as the assistant equipment manager for the Wolves during the 2006-2007 season. Jim began his career in hockey working at the Edge Starts Here Pro Shop located at the Edge Ice arena, the home of the Chicago Steel.

Jim's responsibilities include equipment purchases, equipment repair and maintaining the Steel locker room. Jim would like to thank Craig Kogut (Equipment Manager, Chicago Wolves) for all of the knowledge he passed along to him throughout last year. 

Jim originally hails from Regina, Saskatchewan and currently resides in Itasca, Il.

Shane Krisch -- Assistant Equipment Manager

Steve Lowe-- Director of Scouting/Head Scout

Steve grew up playing minor hockey in Kitchener, Ontario. In 1994, he was selected by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the first round of the Ontario Hockey League. Steve was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the 1995 NHL draft selection. Steve played professional hockey from 1999-2004 in various leagues. His career ended due to a major concussion in January 2004.

In 2005-2006 he co-founded a youth hockey program that was originally named Team NXI and now is called S2 AAA. He took a Midget Program that was ranked 120th in the country to a high of being ranked 17th in country in just three years. In his three year as a Major Midget coach, he had 7 players drafted to the USHL, 3 D1 college scholarships given out, 1 player drafted to the NHL, 3 players drafted to the NAHL and a total of 28 players playing in various Jr. leagues across the US.

He lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan with his wife Christy, their daughter’s Lahana and Lily with their family dog Bauer and Kailey. You can contact Steve here

Guy LeBlanc --  Minnesota Northern Region Scout

Guy LeBlanc (47) will scout for the Steel in the Northern Minnesota Region. His credentials span from coaching mini-mites through U18 Major Midget. Since 2004, Guy has been coach and general manager of the U18 Duluth Northern Wings. He is also currently president of the Northern Wings AAA Hockey Club. Prior to running the Northern Wings, Guy has been a head hockey coach in the Minnesota State High School League for 11 years. As a head coach, he won section coach of the year honors twice, and as an assistant, was awarded assistant coach of the year two times as well. Furthermore, Guy is coordinator and director of Quick Hands Hockey Camp in Duluth, Minnesota from 2000-to the present.

As a player, Guy played his college hockey at The College of St. Scholastica from 1980 to 1984, which is located in Duluth, Minnesota. In addition, he was a Division III All American in 1982 and honorable mention in 1983.

LeBlanc has 3 sons: Drew 20, playing Division I hockey at St. Cloud State, Brian 16 and Jack 11 The LeBlanc’s currently reside on Island Lake in Hermantown, Minnesota.

Jamie Springer --  West Michigan High School Scout

James Springer, 25 is a native of Delton, MI. For the past two seasons Springer served as an assistant coach for the S2 Midget Major Program in Kalamazoo, MI. He has also served as a coach at the USA Select Camps in Rochester, NY.

Currently, Springer is serving as the Head Coach of the Kalamazoo Blades High School Team in Kalamazoo.

James has a Bachelor’s in Science Degree from Western Michigan University. Springer and his fiancé, Chelsea, currently reside in Richland, MI.

Kris Kostolansky --  Colorado Region Scout

Kris Kostolansky is a dedicated youth hockey coach who currently coaches the Colorado Thunderbirds Bantam AAA Team. Kris has coached youth hockey for almost 20 seasons. Five players he coached were drafted in the last three NHL drafts. In the past six seasons, Kris coached one national championship team, three semi-finalist teams and one quarter-finalist team. Kris grew up in Anchorage and played high school and junior hockey in Michigan.

Marc Fritsche --  Mid-West Region Scout

Marc Fritsche, 35 is currently the Head Coach of the Cleveland Barons Midget AAA program, in Cleveland Ohio. The Cleveland Barons have had great success the past couple of season, winning the MWEHL or Tier One Elite League title For the past Two seasons. Marc has success in the development of many players now playing at the junior and college hockey levels. Marc played his Junior hockey in Cleveland for the Cleveland Barons in the NAHL, and played 5 seasons overseas in Switzerland.

Marc currently resides in Cleveland with his wife Alison and his two sons Marc Jr. 10 and Colin 7.

Mark Lawrence --  NAHL Prospects Scout

Mark is currently the Head Coach of the S2 AAA Major and Minor Programs. Mark and his family currently reside in Kalamazoo where he has been coaching AA travel hockey for the past 4 seasons. Mark has an extensive playing background playing 12 years of professional hockey in the NHL, AHL, IHL and the UHL along with 4 years Major Junior A hockey in Canada. Along with Mark's playing and coaching resume he also has over 7 years of hockey school instruction.

Matt Moran --  East Coast Scout

Matt Moran, 25, is a Virginia native who coaches the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers Midget Minor team in West Chester, PA. He will evaluate players primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions as well as in the Tier 1 Elite league.

Matt played prep hockey at Avon Old Farms and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Villanova University. He currently resides in Philadelphia, PA.