Poapst attended Colgate University and graduated in 1991 with a B.A. degree. In his junior year, Poapst helped the Red Raiders win the ECAC Championship and earn the school's first trip to the NCAA Frozen Four before being defeated in the final game against Wisconsin. 

A veteran of over 1,000 professional games spanning a fifteen-year career, Poapst displayed perseverance, dedication and a diligent work ethic that helped him move up through the ranks of the ECHL, the AHL, and the NHL. 

In 1992, Poapst helped the Hampton Roads Admirals of the ECHL win the Kelly Cup Championship and was selected to play in the 1993 ECHL All-Star Game. 

From 1993-2000 Poapst became a stalwart defenseman for the Portland Pirates of the AHL, playing in 454 games.  Poapst was a member of the 1994 Calder Cup Championship team and was chosen to represent the Pirates in the 1995 AHL All-Star Game. He was twice voted the "Unsung Hero" by the fans of Portland, and, in 2001, Poapst was inducted into the Portland Pirates Hall of Fame.

Poapst made his NHL debut with the Washington Capitals during the 1995-1996 season recording his first NHL goal in that game against the  NY Rangers' Mike Richter. 

During the 2000-2001 season, Poapst split time between the Norfolk Admirals (AHL) and the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) before sticking with the Hawks in January 2001.  Over the next four seasons with the Hawks, Poapst played in 220 games where his smart, stay at home style earned him upwards of 20 minutes of ice time most games.  In 2003, Poapst was the Blackhawks nominee for the Bill Masterson Trophy, the award granted yearly to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. 

Poapst and his wife Kelly, along with son Braden, 13, and daughter  Mara, 11, currently reside in Lombard, IL.

stevepoapst@chicagosteelhockeyteam.com
Office Phone: (630) 594-1160


Jon Waibel -- Assistant Coach
A native of Baudette, Minnesota, Jon Waibel comes to the Chicago Steel with significant past success on his resume. The 2009-2010 season is Waibel's fourth with the organization.

Just 26 years of age, Waibel won two NCAA national championships in 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).

Prior to coaching the Steel, Waibel coached at Buffalo High School in Minnesota.

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







 

Kelly Gee -- Goaltending Consultant

Brian Oudsteyn, ATC -  Head Athletic Trainer
 

Brian is in his third year with the Steel.  He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Athletic Training from Lewis University.  In 2005, Brian assisted with the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament helping DePaul University Men’s Basketball.  In the same year, he helped with the coverage of the Prairie State Games.  He completed an internship in 2006 with the Schaumburg Flyers professional baseball team out of the Northern League.  Brian joined ATI Physical Therapy in February of 2007 where Brian worked with the 2007 Joliet Jackhammers Baseball Team.

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.