Ryan Taylor is one of the most widely respected coaches in the hockey community with over 20 years of experience in developing players of all ages from all over North America. 

Prior to joining the Reapers, Ryan Taylor was the General Manager of Hockey Operations at the Falcons Hockey Program in Highland Park, Illinois. Taylor head coached the Squirt Central States team which recently finished 3rd Nationally on My Hockey Rankings.  In 2019, Ryan Taylor was awarded Illinois Youth Hockey Coach of the Year by AHAI.

Before joining the Falcons and starting up NSHDA, Ryan Taylor was the Hockey Director/Coach of Chicago Young Americans for seven years. From there, he went on to become Director of Bauer Selects and Assistant Hockey Director/Coach at Chicago Mission for four years.  

Originally from Burlington, Ontario, Canada, Ryan grew up playing for the Burlington City Reps, AAA Hockey Organization. After Bantam Major, Ryan made the jump to the Ontario Juniors Hockey League (OJHL) where he played for the Burlington Cougars for two seasons. Ryan played his collegiate hockey at Lake Forest College in Illinois and was coached by Tony Fritz. He shined and was named Captain for two years and earned the “Peter G. Taylor Award” in 1997-98. This award is for the most outstanding talent, leadership and love for the game to which best exemplifies the qualities of the player for whom it is named. 

Contact Coach Taylor: 312.925.5656   taylorbms@aol.com

Brett Lebda is from Buffalo Grove, IL and grew up playing hockey in the Chicagoland area.  He was selected to play for the United States National Development Program in 1998 where he played for two years.  From there he attended and played for the Fighting Irish at the University of Notre Dame from 2000-2004.  After helping the Irish make the NCAA tournament in 2004 for the first time in the modern era he was signed by the Detroit Red Wings as an undrafted free agent.  He played his first NHL game at the start of the 2005-2006 season.  A veteran of 398 NHL games he saw stints with the Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Columbus Blue Jackets and won a Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2008.  He was inducted into the Illinois Hockey Hall Of Fame in 2018

Contact Coach Lebda: 847.456.0712  blebda@hotmail.com

Coach Niko grew up and played minor youth Hockey in the Boston area. Attended Matignon  and Avon old Farms high schools. 
Played for University of Maine from 1998-2002. 
At Maine he was part of the 1999 NCAA Championship team and was named to the All Tournament team. Played in 3 Frozen 4’s and was Named All Hockey East and All American teams.
Drafted by San Jose sharks 5th round 155
13 year pro career NHL San Jose Sharks, Philadelphia Flyers , KHL, SHL AHL.

Coaching
Over the past 5 years Niko has coached 3 years with the Chicago young Americans 06 team. Over 3 years his 06 team won 2 HPHl Titles and a state championship. After 3 years with Cya, Niko moved on to join the Falcons Organization. In first year he coached the 08 team , winning a state championship. This past season he coached both the 08 and 07 teams. 

Contact Coach Dimitrakos: 630.464.8557  nikodimitrakos@yahoo.com

Josh is a Chicagoland native where he played his minor hockey for various teams. Following minor hockey, he played Tier 3 juniors in the USPHL with the Hudson Havoc. 

After his playing career, Josh began goalie coaching and consulting for GDI USA where he was first a long-time student. In the past 5+ years, he has worked with elite goaltenders of all ages at the AA, AAA, Juniors, Division 1, and Pro levels helping them learn, develop, and master their craft. He is a big believer in the technical aspect of goaltending and works with goalies on their specific needs and how they can build the most complete version of their game. 

Josh also is USA Hockey Central District Goaltending Development Leader (GDL) where he works with the leading goaltending coaches in the country to develop and refine the USA Hockey goaltending model and curriculum. 

Contact Coach LaBuda: 847.636.8045 labuda@gdiusa.us

Chris grew up playing hockey in the Chicagoland area. After winning the prestigious Silver Stick Tournament as well as State Championship as a midget player, Chris went on to play college at College of DuPage and UIC. 

Chris began his coaching career right after college at the youth level with both Tier 1 and Tier 2 organizations for the last 25 years. Chris brings passion and attention to detail and will work closely with our players both on and off the ice.

Chris resides in Palatine with his wife, Bridget, and their three children – Ryan, Tyler and Kailey.

Contact Coach Chris: 312.925.4156  16ck16@comcast.net

Mike grew up playing youth hockey throughout the Chicagoland area, where he was drafted in the USHL futures draft by the Chicago Steel after playing midget AAA hockey for the now defunct Chicago Chill. After splitting two seasons in the USHL between Chicago and the Indianapolis Ice, Mike earned a full scholarship to play Division 1 hockey at Ferris State University, where he was a four year letter winner and was a NCAA statistical champion for leading the nation in short-handed goals his senior year.

Upon completing college, Mike signed an amateur contract with the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League (AHL), which then led to a seven year professional career. During that time Mike played across North America in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and the AHL and spent two stints playing in Europe- Leksand of the Swedish Allsvenskan League and Braehead Clan of the United Kingdom’s EIHL.

Mike has been Director of Player Development and Sponsorships for 200x85 since 2019 and has coached the CCM 68 combines, CCM Selects programs, and the Chicago Jr Blackhawks Brick teams (2020 and 2021). He began coaching after retiring with the Chicago Jets and spent the past two seasons coaching with the Naperville Sabres.

In addition to the seven years professional experience Mike draws on to coach players, he also utilizes the Masters in Management and Organizational Behavior (MSMOB) he earned from Benedictine University to teach players about maximizing their potential and understanding the mental aspects of hockey.

Contact Coach Embach: 708.710.6475  embachm@gmail.com

Kyle has been involved in youth hockey for the past 10 years after retiring from a 13 year NHL Career with the Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks.

An Alberta Native, Calder played in the WHL for the Regina Pats and Kamloops Blazers representing Canada at the World Junior Championships. He also represented Canada 4 times at the World Championships winning a Gold medal. He served as the assistant captain with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Calder has dedicated his time to growing the game of hockey. In addition to multiple state and district championships, he helped the LA Junior Kings bring home the prestigious Pee Wee Quebec Tournament Championship as well as 14UAAA & 15UAAA berths to Nationals.

His goal is to help kids understand the game on and off the ice. He want​s the young players he coaches to develop a passion and love for the game of hockey and help them fulfill their dreams of having a career in hockey.​

Contact Coach Calder: 312.990.6594  kcc669@hotmail.com

“I am excited to oversee the development of your children by making them complete players and help them compete at the highest level in youth hockey.”

Lewis was born and raised in Evanston, IL.  His playing career led him through Illinois AAA, the Pens Elite and the NJ Avalanche. He finished his career playing Juniors in the NCDC for the Rockets, Hitmen, and Monarchs.  Lewis’s playing career was cut short due to concussions and since then he has found his passion in coaching young promising hockey players. 

Contact Lewis Simon: 847.924.3041  lewissimon31@gmail.com

Chuck has coached over 3000 games spanning over 30 years with the majority at the AAA level for Team Illinois, Chicago Mission and the Chicago Young Americans . He also was Head Coach and General Manager two years at the Junior Tier II level in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). Chuck was in scouting and player development with the Tri City Storm (USHL) in 2018-20 and prior to that spent 5 years as the Midget Director and Coach for both the U18s and U16s at Team Illinois.

Making multiple State, Regional & National championship appearances, Chuck has successfully moved many players to junior and college hockey and understands what it takes to get to the next level.

 Chuck played Division 1 hockey at Merrimack College where he served as the team captain and is a member of the AHAI Hockey Hall Of Fame. He and his wife Gina have five adult age children.

Mike grew up playing his youth hockey in the Chicagoland area at both the AA and AAA levels. At 16 mike began playing junior hockey in the Detroit junior hockey league and the Great Lakes junior hockey league. Mike left junior hockey a year early to play in the continental hockey league.

He began coaching in the 90’s at all levels. Mikes passion for the game is second to none.  He enjoys connecting with his players and seeing them succeed in both life and hockey.

Mike resides in Schaumburg with his fiancé Jen and their 2 dogs Linden and Naslund.

Vinny Barra (brother of  infamous Cody Barra) - grew up in the Chicagoland area playing for various different programs at the AAA and AA CSDHL level. After his youth career he played some junior hockey for Tier 3 Rochester Ice Hawks, and Canadian Jr. A Blind River Beavers of the NOJHL. Vinny then attended Robert Morris University for 1 year where he played ACHA Club College hockey before transferring to Northern Illinois University to pursue a career in business.

For the last 5 years Vinny has been coaching PeeWees and Bantams at the Chicago Jets, where 2/4 Pee Wee teams finished in the Elite 8 of the State Tournament. Most recently, Vinny comes to us off of 2 years head coaching at the PeeWee CSDHL Level. Vinny currently resides in Fulton Market District, Chicago and works for Uber. Fun fact Vinny played for Ryan Taylor 2x in his career at both the AAA and AA level

Ian is a Rochester Hills, Michigan native who grew up playing youth hockey in the Metro Detroit area.  He grew up playing for the Little Caesars AAA hockey club.  After high school, Ian went on to play with the Kanata Stallions in the CCHL, helping them get to the semi-finals of the Fred Page Cup in 2012.  After playing one year of junior hockey, Ian attended Lake Forest College where he played NCAA hockey for four years and obtained his degree in Finance. 

Ian began coaching in 2021 with the Northwest Chargers.

Bouncing through the amateur hockey system, Michael has experienced the AAA and junior routes of a youth player. He was captain to his U16 and U18 CYA teams and hopes to bring that same leadership to the Reapers.

He was drafted in the 2021 NAHL draft to the Chippewa Steel where he joined the team the following season for a short time. Playing AAA from squirts until midget and experiencing the junior route, he hopes to bring experience and leadership while driving success through his competitive nature to the players.

Arik Lebda is a local Illinois hockey alumnus both on the ice and behind the bench. 

He began his hockey career in Glenview Illinois in 90-91.  Arik continued playing at the Pewee and Bantam level with the Chicago Chill and then Team Illinois.  Arik played forward and show great skill, speed, and was aggressive on the ice.  In 2000 Arik joined the Chicago Flames to round out his young hockey career.  After high school, Arik played in minor professional league (FHL Danville/AAHL Battle Creek/Chicago) from (2005-2010) 

Arik spent his summers as the head instructor for Turcotte Stick Handling from (2000-2010).  As a result, his love for coaching and educating others in their game and skills became a true calling.  He began coaching for Team Illinois in 2000-01. Continuing to coach the Glenview Stars Bantam Majors from 2008-2020.  In addition, he signed on with Loyola Academy in 2018 to coach Loyola Gold.   

As a coach, one of Arik’s greatest abilities is to connect with players and offer unique instruction for diverse abilities.  He holds his athletes to high standards on and off the ice.

Greg has been coaching hockey for over 15 years with half of that time at the AA and AAA level with the Chicago Young Americans (Windy City Storm), Milwaukee Jr Admirals and the Northwest Chargers. Greg has also coached at the JV and Varsity level at KMMO in Wisconsin, assisted with the Team Wisconsin Combine squirt camps and has executed sport testing for the USHL Combines. Greg is the lead hockey skills instructor at SHAW Youth Hockey, and the Hockey Director for the Hockey Locker Honey Badgers, both located in Wisconsin. 

Greg is an ambassador of hockey, and loves to teach and train athletes of all levels. He believes in 100% skills development on, and off the ice, challenging young athletes to achieve their best. He also believes that playing hockey, and working hard to reach goals can be translated into skills that they can apply later in life.

Jan Hejda played 627 games in the National Hockey League, after having played professionally in two European leagues before reaching the NHL.  

He played 64 games for the Czech Republic national team throughout his career – including having represented his country as an Olympian in Vancouver (2010) and earning IIHF World Championship gold and silver medals (in 2005 and 2006, respectively). 

After his playing career Jan has spent 8 years with the youth hockey developmental programs in Colorado and Minnesota. 

Jan lives in Lincolnshire, Illinois with his wife Tereza, and his two children.

Mike grew up playing in the Chicagoland area. He played Midget AAA for the Chicago Chill ( Chicago Fury). After leaving the Chill he was drafted by the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the USHL . Mike spent 3 seasons in Cedar Rapids before earning a scholarship to play at the  University of Minnesota Duluth where he played 4 years at Duluth and was part of the 2011 National Championship Team beating Michigan in overtime.  

Upon completing College Mike signed a contract to play for Leksand in the Swedish Elite League. After which, he returned to North American and played 4 years professionally in the East Coast Hockey League. 

Ryan grew up playing in the Chicagoland area playing for the Falcons CSDHL teams as well as Mission at the AAA level through 18U. After high school, Ryan went on to play in Mason City for one year.

For the last two seasons, Ryan has been part of the Reapers staff with our 12U teams and 18U teams. His experience, dedication, and passion for the game are contagious with all the Reapers players.

Max grew up playing hockey for the Glenview Stars, Highland Park Falcons, Stevenson JV, and Vernon Hills Ice Dogs at the House, A, and AA level.  

He has coached a variety of kids at a variety of levels from Mite through Midget. 

AJ grew up in the Chicagoland area. He played junior hockey locally for the Chicago Force (CSHL) from 2003-2006. AJ then moved on to play college hockey at The University of Central Oklahoma (D1 ACHA) earning his degree in Kinesiology.

Being a fitness professional, AJ brings an interesting dynamic to the organization having the ability to coach the athletes on and off the ice. 

Jake started his hockey career in Evanston as a mite. Throughout childhood he played two years in the CSDHL for the Blues and then two years playing for CYA.  Jake continued his career playing four years of Juniors for the Steele County Blades in Minnesota.

After multiple plan changes due to the Covid-19 pandemic Jake moved to Williston, ND to play ACHA Division 2. In his first semester he sustained an injury requiring rehab and left college.

Jake has coached previously and always been enjoyed sharing his passion through coaching. He is grateful for the opportunity to coach at the highest level for players in the Chicago area and looks forward to creating good players and good young men.

Alec is son of Kurt and Jodi. His father played hockey at the University of Wisconsin (Class of 1989) as well as pro hockey in Sweden and the US. Grandfather owned a hockey store in Milwaukee WI. Called The Hockey Locker. Alec has two brothers (Luc and Jacques). Luc played lacrosse for the University of Minnesota Duluth from 2016-2019, while Jacques played goalie in hockey for the University of Eau-Claire Wisconsin 2018-19 and at Trine University 2019-2020. Currently Alec lives in Chicago with girlfriend Alyssa and 3-year-old black lab, Skip. 

Alec started summer hockey at Wisconsin Cup 3v3 league 2013-2022 working with ages 10-15 years old. Alec’s coaching draws from his many years of experience and great coaches he learned form along the way. 2013-14 and 2014-15 played for Chicago Mission 16U AAA as well as the Cedar Rapids Roughriders USHL. Alec Graduated from Waunakee Community High School in 2016 and continued on to play Played the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons for the Janesville Jets (NAHL) where he totaled eight goals and 22 assists for 30 points over 101 games. Alec served as an assistant captain during the 2017-18 season and was also selected to play in the NAHL Top Prospects Game for the Midwest Team. Alec earned a scholarship to play division 1 hockey at Lake Superior State University where he spent the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons and played 39 games with one goal and three assists for four points as a defenseman. As a sophomore he posted two assists for two points over 22 games, while he tallied one goal and one assist for two points over 17 games as a freshman. Scored his first collegiate goal on the game winner and also added an assist in the 5-2 win over Ferris State on March 1, 2019. Alec was named to the 2019-20 WCHA All-Academic Team. After his sophomore season Alec transferred to Division 1 Hockey East school, the University of New Hampshire. Alec Spent the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons at University of New Hampshire where he played 20 games as a defenseman. After graduating in May Alec started his Professional hockey in Slovakia for HK Skalica during the 2022-23 season.

John grew up playing hockey in the Chicago area and played collegiately at University of Wisconsin from 2000-2004. Prior to UW-Madison, John played for the Green Bay Gamblers in the United States Hockey League (1999-2000) and was selected to be part of the inaugural season of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (1997-1999). He was a 7th round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2000.

Tom Seputis grew up playing youth hockey in the Chicago area before playing four years at Lake Forest Academy where he was team captain. After LFA he played one season of junior hockey before attending and playing at St. Olaf College in Minnesota.

For the past 13 years Tom was head coach at Lake Forest Academy and in the last 4 years has also been an assistant coach for the Falcons at the mite and squirt levels. 

Coach Pat grew up in Park Ridge, IL and played for Northern Express for most of his hockey career. 

He has been coaching hockey since 2007 and also worked as a skating director in Chicago right out of high school. He has coached all ages and levels of skaters, from Learn To Skate to adult classes. He has also worked as the head coach for a high school team, bringing them to the Final Four in State - the most advanced the team had been in the club’s history. 

He received his Level 5 coaching certification in 2018. He loves working with younger kids to provide them with the proper foundation and skills to help them advance as they grow. There is so much more to hockey than skills and he feels the proper foundation makes a huge difference for years to come. 

Coach Pat lives in Park Ridge and he is a proud husband, parent, and foster parent. Together he and Alysen have 3 children. 

Born and raised in Ontario, Canada where he played minor hockey for the Niagara North Stars AAA program. Jericho continued on to play New England Prep School hockey at Albany Academy and Canterbury School before joining the New Jersey Hitmen for two years of Junior hockey.

He recently finished his college hockey at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut and is looking to translate my knowledge in the game of hockey to the younger generations to come.