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HOCKEY OPERATIONS STAFF
 Steve
Poapst -- Head Coach /General Manager
Steve Poapst, 38, enters his first full season as Head
Coach of the Chicago Steel. A native of Cornwall,
Ontario, Poapst retired as a player after splitting the
2005/06 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the St.
Louis Blues of the NHL.
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 to 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
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 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, 12,
and daughter Mara, 10, 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 2007-2008 season is Waibel's second with the
organization.
Just 24 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 this season, Waibel coached at Buffalo High
School in Minnesota.
jwaibel@chicagosteelhockeyteam.com
Office Phone: (630) 594-1164
 Kelly Gee -- Assistant Coach / Goaltending Instructor
Kelly Gee is the newest member of the Steel's
coaching staff. Recently named as the team's goalie
coach, he has since been added as an assistant coach
by head coach Steve Poapst. Gee, 25, has earned a
reputation as being one of the most insightful and
dedicated goalie coaches in the area, even at his
relatively young age. Already having logged 7 years
on staff at Midwest Goalie School, Gee has proven
his knowledge does not begin and end with goalies,
as he served two seasons as primary recruiter and
assistant head coach for Robert Morris College.
An outstanding and highly regarded goaltending
prospect, the native of Homer, Alaska earned several
honors while playing youth hockey, and was playing
Junior B by the age of 16. Eventually, he landed a
spot with the Danville Wings in the NAHL, before a
serious hip injury ended his playing career. His
passion for the sport was unabated though, and he
made a seamless transition into coaching, and
besides his stint with Robert Morris, he served as
the goalie coach for the Chicago Mission
organization, goalkeeping director of the Chicago
Huskies, and President of Kage Sports.
Kelly is married, and he and his wife Mandy live in
Hainesville, IL with their dogs, Dakota and Cleo.
Kyle Mulvey -- Strength and Conditioning Coach
Kyle, 27, joins the Steel for his first season
with the team as the Strength and Conditioning Coach.
Mulvey played Junior A hockey for the Chicago Freeze
(1998-1999). Kyle then went on to play Division 1 Club
hockey at the University of Illinois (1999-2003), where
he was an Assistant Captain and was voted Most Improved
Player.
Mulvey is a Performance Enhancement
Specialist. He is the CEO and President of Koresport
Corporation. He started his business in 2007 and
specializes in individual and team development, core
training, and hockey off-ice. The mission of Koresport
Corporation is to take hockey players to the next level
and a personal best. Kyle currently resides in
Elmhurst, Illinois.
 Brian Oudsteyn, ATC - Head Athletic Trainer
Brian is in his first 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.
 Jim Brewer -- Equipment Manager
Jim rejoins the Chicago Steel as Head Equipment Manager
this season after spending last season in the AHL with
The Chicago Wolves. 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. He is a graduate of the
College of Dupage with a degree in Criminal Justice.
Jim resides in Itasca, Il.
DJ Kogut -- Assistant Equipment
Manager
DJ joins the Chicago Steel for the 2007-2008 season to
help Jim Brewer throughout the year in all capacities.
DJ, son of the head equipment manager for the Chicago
Wolves, brings even more experience and knowledge to the
equipment room.
DJ resides in Bartlett, IL and attends South Elgin High
School.
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