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.

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 Green Head Coach

Claude has a Degree in Kinesiology from Laval University Majoring in Biomechanics and Sport Psychology.

This is Claude's 4th season with the Scouts program. Claude has a extensive coaching resume in both Canada and the US and has been a important contributor to the LFHS players individual skills

 1990-1995 owned and operated high altitude training camp in British Columbia 

 1991-1994 Okanagan Hockey school as Director of Hockey Development and Power Skater

 1995-2001 Chicago Young Americans Skills Director and Off-ice Training Director 

  2002-2006 Chicago Young Americans Head Coach 

  2012-2015 Highland Park JV Head Coach 

  2016- 2018 Lake Forest JV Head Coach 

  2019-2020 Lake Forest JV Assistant Coach 

Claude also owns and operates a training facility in Highwood since 2010.

Frankie Catalano has been playing hockey for just around 10 years now. Growing up, Frankie played with the Highland Park Falcons and is currently playing with the Lake Forest Scouts. Outside of hockey he enjoys playing golf anywhere he can. Frankie's most excited about meeting the mites and help them develop throughout this season. After high school Frankie is not yet sure on where he wants to go but he does want to major in business.

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.

Noah started learn to skate when he was 5 years old. He grew up playing for the Falcons in Highland Park from 5 years old to 15. He now has played for the Lake Forest Scouts team for 2 years. Outside of hockey he likes to golf, hike and fish with his friends. He's most excited for him to get lots of coaching experience this season as well as teaching the younger kids how to play hockey. After high school, Noah wants to attend the University of Tennessee where he would like to study either business or economics.

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. 

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 and the Springfield Jr. Blues for a short stint.

As a coach Mitch wants young goaltenders and players to bring their best each and every day and wants to change lives on and off the ice. He brings high energy every day and a confident approach to every practice and game.

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.

Tommy growing played at the Winter Club since he was 4 years old and currently he plays for the Varsity team for Lake Forest High School. Aside from hockey, Tommy likes to play tennis, golf, lacrosse, swimming and watching the Bears on Sundays. Tommy's super excited to teach kids that are in the position that he once was in. He is still figuring out his plans for after high school looking for the college that fits him best.

Aidan started playing hockey at the Ice Dogs program in Vernon Hills. Once he finished youth he went on to play at Libertyville High School as a defensemen. After high school graduation he played at the University of Dayton as a Flyer for a short time before attending University College of Dublin studying abroad receiving his Masters degree. Aidan is excited most to help fully develop young athletes as better characters and players helping them in their everyday lives.

Alex grew up playing here at the Winter Club wearing #88 after his idol Patrick Kane. Later on after his time at WC, he played for the Lake Forest Scouts under the new head Coach Steve Sarauer. This past May, Alex graduated from Miami Ohio and decided to come back to the Winter Club to coach. Alex is most excited helping his team have the same experience he had while for this program.

Logan played youth hockey at Mission AAA as well as the Falcons in Highland Park. Currently Logan plays goalie for the Lake Forest High School Varsity team. His best hockey memory was playing in the Brick tournament in the West Edmonton Mall. Logan is very excited to help young players grow and win games.

Jack started playing hockey from Mites all the way through Bantams. Afterwards he started and currently plays for the Lake Forest Scouts Varsity program as a forward. His best hockey memories came from skating all day and night at the Winter Club. Jacks most excited to start coaching and winning games outdoors with his help on Mite Green.

Trevor grew up playing at the Winter Club from mites to bantams. He than went on to play all four years of high school as a Lake Forest Scout. Just recently, Trevor graduated from Miami of Ohio. He is very excited for this upcoming season and developing the confidence in each player while helping them grow more and more each game and practice.

PJ grew up playing in Park Ridge for the Express program where he won the championship in the NIHL Elite division. After youth hockey, PJ went on to play at St. Viator where he made 3 out of 4 final four appearances one of them being in the state championship in 2021. After high school, PJ attended and played his final years of hockey at St. Mary's University in Minnesota ACHA D2. PJ is excited to get started as a coach as he's always wanted to and is looking forward to coaching the group of kids he will be with on the Squirt White team.

Griffin grew up playing his youth hockey career in the Highland Park Falcons program as well as the Winter Club program. He went to play for the Lake Forest Scouts on Varsity for 3 years during high school. After graduation, he played for the U18 York Skipjacks AAA program and for the Chicago Cougars junior hockey team. After juniors Griffin began his coaching career back at the Highland Park Falcons while coaching various central states teams across the Peewee and Bantam level. Griffin is excited to continue developing the next generation of hockey players. Griffin brings high energy and a skillful approach to each practice and game.

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.