MIKE GARMAN - HEAD COACH AND GENERAL MANAGER
Mike Garman was named General Manager on July 7, 2021 after four seasons behind the Steel bench as assistant coach and associate head coach. Prior to the start of the 2022-2023 season, Garman re-joined the coaching staff in a dual role of general manager/head coach.
Garman joined the Steel prior to the 2017-2018 campaign, assisting in all aspects of coaching, including working with the team's goaltenders.
The former netminder played college hockey for the Cornell Big Red (ECAC) before embarking on a three-year professional career, including stops in the ECHL, CHL, Get Ligan (Norway), Division I (Sweden), and Magnus League (France). He played junior hockey for the Springfield Jr. Blues (NAHL) and Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL).
After retiring from playing, Garman began a coaching and consulting business, GoaliebyGarman, LLC that worked with pro goalies and pro organizations using analytics to identify, train, and develop elite level goaltenders.
TYLER HASKINS - ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH
Tyler Haskins joined the Steel in the role of Associate Head Coach prior to the start of the 2023-2024 season after most recently serving as an assistant coach for Grizzlys Wolfsburg of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).
Originally from Madison, Ohio, Haskins played in the USHL in 2001-2002 for the Sioux City before a standout career in the OHL from 2002-2007. A fifth round selection of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2004 NHL Draft, Haskins played three seasons in the American Hockey League before joining Wolfsburg in 2010. He played eight seasons in the DEL, five as captain.
After retiring, Haskins led Wolfsburg’s scouting for two seasons, then became assistant coach of the club in 2019.
KAREL POPPER - ASSISTANT COACH
Karel Popper joined the Steel on August 9, 2021 after most recently serving as goaltending coach for the University of Minnesota men's and women's teams.
During the 2020-2021 campaign, Popper worked with Jack Lafontaine, the NCAA Mike Richter Award Winner for best goaltender and First Team All-American at the University of Minnesota. Prior to his work with the Gophers, Popper coached goaltenders for the Ohio State University women's team.
In addition to his experience at the NCAA Division 1 level, Popper, a Maineville, Ohio native, was the Minnesota Magicians (NAHL) goalie coach during the 2019-2020 season and has served for four years as director with MEGA goaltending out of Minneapolis, Minn.
MICHAEL GURSKA - ASSISTANT COACH
Michael Gurska joined the Steel in the role of Director of Hockey Operationsprior to the start of the 2022-2023 season. Gurska was promoted to Assistant Coach prior to the 2023-2024 season.
Originally from Revere, Mass., Gurska most recently played for Wilkes University from 2018-2022 serving as team captain for three seasons where he holds the school record for games played and points for a defenseman. His hockey career included a stint for the Birmingham Bulls of the SPHL and two years of junior hockey for the Connecticut Jr. Rangers of the USPHL.
Gurska's previous work experience includes seven years as a shot tracker and quality control manager for Clear Sight Analytics in addition to time as a skills and video coach for Healy Hockey Development where he worked with professional, college, junior and prep school players in the New England area.
PETER THOME - DIRECTOR OF HOCKEY OPERATIONS
Peter Thome joined the Steel as an analyst in 2022-2023. Thome was promoted to Director of Hockey Operations prior to the 2023-2024 season.
He recently retired from hockey following a brief stint in the ECHL for the Idaho Steelheads & Maine Mariners. Thome was a collegiate goaltender for the University of North Dakota from 2017-2021 and for the inaugural University of St. Thomas Division I Men's hockey team in 2021-2022. Prior to playing college, Thome played junior hockey for the Steel, as well as the Aberdeen Wings, Omaha Lancers, and Waterloo Blackhawks. He was selected 155th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
As an undergraduate student at the University of North Dakota, Thome studied Marketing and Psychology before studying data science at the University of St. Thomas as a graduate student.
MIKE FAZIO - ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER AND DIRECTOR OF PLAYER ENHANCEMENT
Mike Fazio joined the Steel during the 2022 offseason in the role of Associate Director of Player Enhancement.
Originally from Bartlett, Ill., Fazio played youth hockey at Fox Valley Ice Arena as a member of the Geneva Cyclones Amateur Hockey Club.
Most recently, Fazio held coaching positions in different capacities, starting in 2019, including Lead Instructor for MAP Hockey in Minnesota, Director of Player Development and Assistant Coach of the Hudson Havoc of the USPHL and Minnesota regional scout for the Jamestown Rebels of the NAHL.
As a player, the former forward skated for the University of Wisconsin - River Falls of the WIAC where he studied Exercise & Sport Science and Sports Management before playing two seasons of professional hockey for the Evansville Thunderbolts of the SPHL (2017-2018) and the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL (2018-2019).
Fazio lives in St. Charles with his girlfriend, Madison, and their two dogs, Winston and Bear.
STEVEN BRYKAILO - DIRECTOR OF PERFORMANCE AND SPORT SCIENCE
Steven Brykailo was hired as Director of Performance and Sport Science in August, 2023 to lead the off-ice training program for the Steel.
Most recently, Brykailo served as head performance coach with GVN Performance where he trained USHL, NAHL, NCAA and High School athletes across numerous sports. He is a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Prior to the Steel, Brykailo also coached at the University of Central Florida, the University of Massachusetts, Army West Point, and Saint Francis University (PA).
JIM SCHROEDER - ATHLETIC TRAINER
Jim Schroeder joined the Steel prior to the 2016-2017 season. The Wood Dale, Ill., native is responsible for evaluating and treating injuries and illnesses to Steel players, as well as coordinating referrals to team physicians. His athletic training experience before joining the Steel includes six seasons in the USHL, one with the Tri-City Storm (2008-2009), and five with the Youngstown Phantoms (2011-2016) through NovaCare Rehabilitation. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with an emphasis on Movement Science before going on to receive an Entry Level Master of Athletic Training from The University of Findlay (Ohio).
BRYAN COLLIER - EQUIPMENT MANAGER
Bryan Collier joined the Steel prior to the start of the 2022-2023 season as equipment manager.
Originally from Seattle, Wash., Collier most recently served as equipment manager for the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League.
Collier's experience includes time with the Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) and Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL), winning the WHL Championship and making a Memorial Cup appearance in 2017.
Collier grew up around the Thunderbirds, serving as a stickboy/assistant equipment manager and has been a referee with USA Hockey and Hockey Canada since 2014.
JAMIE CAHILL - VICE PRESIDENT OF HOCKEY OPERATIONS
Jamie Cahill joined the Steel prior to the 2015-2016 season. Cahill currently coaches Midget U16 AAA for the North Jersey Avalanche. Prior to joining the Avalanche Organization, Cahill coached 5 seasons with the Long Island Gulls AAA youth hockey program. Cahill was an assistant coach of the Long Island Gulls Bantam Major '97 program that made an appearance at USA Nationals. Prior to coaching at the '97 age level, Cahill was the head coach of the Gulls Midget American and National programs. Cahill led his team to an Atlantic Youth League finals appearance. Prior to coaching the Gulls, Cahill coached at the Apple Core Youth Organization, winning the championship of the NEEHL.
RESILIENCE COACHING – MATT AND CHRIS CALDERONI, MOLLITEUM
TEAM PHYSICIAN - DR. SHANE NHO, MIDWEST ORTHOPAEDICS AT RUSH
PHYSICAL THERAPY PROVIDER - MIDWEST ORTHOPAEDICS AT RUSH PHYSICAL THERAPY
TEAM DENTIST - DR. MELISSA JENTZ-COTE, GENEVA FAMILY DENTAL
TEAM CHIROPRACTOR - DR. DANIEL BUCEK, BUCEK CHIROPRACTIC
SUPPORT STAFF
HOLY SCHLESSER - HOUSING COORDINATOR
Holly Schlesser joined the Steel in 2023 as the Housing Coordinator, working closely with the coaching staff to match each player's personality and background with quality homes. Holly and her family have billeted several Chicago Steel players over the years and greatly enjoy the relationships they have with their players and their families as they grow their hockey careers. Holly also has two sons who play hockey with the Geneva Cyclones youth hockey organization that shares Fox Valley Ice Arena with the Chicago Steel. Holly currently resides in St. Charles with her husband Jay and three children Trenton, Ainsley, and Declan.
E-mail Holly
JESSICA BREUGELMANS - EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Jessica Breugelmans joined the Steel in 2018 working to support the players' success in both their current and future academic pursuits. She holds a BS from Bradley University as well as a master's degree in Teaching from Aurora University. Breugelmans has spent the last 9 years building her family, her tutoring and education consulting businesses, and supporting the community she lives in through various board and committee memberships in multiple local philanthropic organizations. Although new to the hockey scene, Jessica has extensive experience in the US Gymnastics Assoc. as both a competitor and coach. She is excited to be a part of the Steel team and to be working with elite athletes.
SCOUTING STAFF
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| Alberta/British Columbia |
Chad Nelson |
| Manitoba/Saskatchewan |
Joe Ftoma |
| Ontario |
Darcy Walsh |
| Minnesota |
Aaron Fulton |
| Chicago |
Spencer Loane |
| Eastern USA |
Paul Falanga |
| Eastern USA |
Dan Cassano |
| Eastern USA |
Anthony Day |
| Eastern USA |
David Arduin |
