Selection of the youth hockey players and coaches of the month is based on on-ice play, teamwork, leadership skills, sportsmanship, and academics.

Fill out the form on the right to nominate a player or coach. All nominations will be considered for the 2012-13 season.

Contact Rob Newburg for more information:
(847) 832-1993 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

April 2012 Youth Hockey Player and Coach of the Month Winners

April Youth Hockey Player

Johnny Blomquist
Age: 8
Team: Franklin Park Panthers Mite

Johnny plays defense for the Franklin Park Panthers and is wrapping up his third year playing hockey. This year he raised over $4,300 for St. Baldrick’s Foundation by shaving his head and receiving donations. He also has volunteered at the Franklin Park Special Needs Competition for the past two years. He is always looking for ways to give back to the game of hockey showing how he truly is a little guy with a huge heart.

April Coach

Dave Zapatka
Team: Rolling Meadows Renegades Squirt Coach

Dave has coached hockey at several age levels, from high school on down to pre-mites. He enjoys teaching kids “the greatest game in the world”. He always re-enforces that there is no substitute for speed, determination and passion. His most rewarding aspect to coaching is watching each player develop his or her skills.

March 2012 Youth Hockey Player and Coach of the Month Winners

March Youth Hockey Player

Gavin Reining
Age: 8
Team: Yellowjackets

Gavin is a great teammate, always supporting his friends in any way he can. He is always the first to volunteer to fill any position and gives it his all showing heart and determination. He is a great kid who loves the game.

March Coach

Rodger Sykes
Team: Rink Side Maulers Mite Coach

Rodger grew up in the Chicago area playing his youth hockey for the Chicago Young Americans. He began coaching two years ago as an assistant coach and this is his first year as a head coach. He led his team to an undefeated regular season, NIHL Presidents Cup and second place Wolves Cup finish. He attributes everything to having a great group of kids and parents. The thing he enjoys most about coaching mites is watching them fall in love with the game.

February 2012 Youth Hockey Player and Coach of the Month Winners

February Youth Hockey Player

Kaleb Brites
Age: 8
Team: Northbrook Bluehawks

Kaleb is a goalie for the Northbrook Bluehawks and eats, sleeps and breathes the game of hockey. Even when he is away from the ice hockey is on his mind. He is always reading books on hockey and recently completed his school biography on Wayne Gretzky.

February Coach

Tony Barracca
Team: Homewood-Flossmoor Coach

Tony is a great coach who continuously stresses the kids to concentrate on improving their skills, such as skating, passing, shooting and stickhandling. Tony led his team to the SSHL Championship game. Every time the kids step on the ice for practice they are eager to learn and never want to get off the ice when practice is over.

January 2012 Youth Hockey Player and Coach of the Month Winners

January Youth Hockey Player

Ena Agnihotri
Age: 17
Team: Skokie Flyers

Ena is the only girl on her team skating for a Midget level Skokie Flyers team, despite this year being her second year playing hockey. She is constantly seen working hard to improve her hockey skills. Her hard work can be seen off the ice as she has been extremely successful in school and plans to attend an Ivy League university next fall.

January Coach

Chris Anderson
Team: Midwest Maniax PeeWee Coach

Chris has been coaching for more than six years and this year is coaching four separate teams. He is a great role model for all his players and does everything under his power to make sure his players succeed on and off the ice.

December 2011 Youth Hockey Player and Coach of the Month Winners

December Youth Hockey Player

Tyler Derickson
Age: 9
Team: Orland Park Vikings

Tyler consistently works hard both on and off the ice. He has proven to be a hard worker on the ice by leading his team in points this past season, as well as in the classroom by maintaining excellent grades. He is a very driven person and an easy teammate to look up to.

December Coach

Greg Torkelson

Team: Sabres PeeWee Coach

Greg continues to coach every year because of his passion for the game of hockey. Despite his team's slow start, Greg never lets the kids get down on themselves and continues to inspire them to try their best. All of the kids enjoy playing for Greg and it shows by him bringing out the best of their abilities.

November 2011 Youth Hockey Player and Coach of the Month Winners

November Youth Hockey Player
Will Reilly
Age: 8
Team: Niles Rangers Gold Mite #3

Will prides himself on being a good teammate and hopes that he is making a lifelong friend with everyone on his team. He displays great sportsmanship and always respects his coaches, teammates, officials and members of opposing teams. He is someone who everyone on his team looks up to as a leader.

November Coach
Brian Cooper
Team: Twin Rink Sharks Squirt Coach

Brian coaches a Squirt team for the Twin Rink Sharks and teaches learn to skate classes at Twin Rinks. He is always positive and encouraging to all the kids. He preaches that if the kids have fun, they will continue playing and develop a lifelong love of the game.