"Risk something or forever sit with your dreams."
-Herb Brooks
Goalie Coaches
-
Evan Fear
Evan Fear began his journey in the crease with the Winnetka Warriors (AA), where his passion for goaltending first took root. It was on those North Shore rinks that he developed the competitive drive, work ethic, and foundational skills that would propel him through the ranks of elite hockey. As his game continued to evolve, Evan advanced to some of the most competitive AAA programs in the country—playing for Chicago Young Americans, Team Illinois, and the Chicago Mission. Each step pushed him to refine his technique and strengthen his mental game.
Evan’s progression through AAA hockey opened the door to junior hockey, where he took the next leap with the Springfield Jr. Blues in the NAHL. His standout performances caught the attention of top-tier USHL programs, earning him spots with the Dubuque Fighting Saints, Green Bay Gamblers, and Waterloo Blackhawks. These formative years were critical in shaping not only his skill set but also his understanding of the game from a higher, more tactical perspective.
That momentum carried Evan into the NCAA Division I ranks. He first joined Quinnipiac University, where he trained under renowned goalie coach Jared Waimon (now with the Tampa Bay Lightning), before transferring to Northeastern University, where he continued to elevate his game under former NHL goaltender Mike Condon (Ottawa Senators). Competing at the D1 level taught Evan the discipline, consistency, and mental sharpness required to succeed at the highest levels of college hockey.
Throughout his journey, Evan was fortunate to be mentored by some of the most respected names in goaltending development, including Stu Gould, Gregg Naumenko, Jared Rutledge, Tim Anderson, and Ryan Honick. These coaches played a pivotal role in helping him craft his identity in the crease—not just as a goalie, but as a leader, thinker, and student of the game.
Now, Evan is passionate about giving back to the game that gave him so much. He’s returned to his roots with a mission: to mentor the next generation of goaltenders, especially those starting their journey just like he did.
-
Jonathan Mor
Jonathan Mor’s journey between the pipes began with the Falcons, where he played Bantam Major CSDHL. It was here that his game truly began to elevate—and where he first realized that hockey could become something bigger. From those early days in the North Shore, Jonathan’s path would take him through the highest levels of junior, international, and collegiate competition.
After a season with the Chicago Young Americans, Jonathan earned a spot with the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP), where he competed with the U-17 and U-18 teams. His U-18 year brought success, but also adversity in the form of a shoulder injury—an obstacle that taught him resilience and the mental edge every goalie needs.
Post-recovery, Jonathan joined the USHL, starting with the Youngstown Phantoms, where he began to rediscover his game. He later joined the Omaha Lancers, continuing to sharpen both his physical and mental skills. These years in juniors became a defining period in his development—helping him build the goaltender’s mindset that he now works to pass on to the next generation.
That growth and determination earned him four years with Michigan State University, where he competed in the B1G NCAA Division I hockey Conference and became a Big Ten Champion.
Jonathan’s career wasn’t without its challenges—being cut, traded, injured, and even de-committed at one point—but every setback became a stepping stone. He credits those experiences for giving him a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed not just as a goaltender, but as a person.
Now, he’s passionate about helping the next generation of young goalies chase their dreams and goals. Jonathan brings a wealth of firsthand experience and a genuine love for mentorship. His mission is to help goalies grow in their technique, confidence, and mental strength—while building meaningful relationships with players, and families along the way.
-
Hayden Wieczorek
Hayden Wieczorek grew up on Chicago’s North Shore, where he began his hockey journey playing youth hockey with the Winnetka Warriors. It was there that he developed the foundation of his love for the game a passion that would fuel his drive throughout his career. His talent and work ethic led him to New Trier Green as a sophomore, where he played three years of varsity hockey. By his senior year, Hayden was named an assistant captain, a testament to both his leadership and his presence in the locker room. During his time with New Trier, he helped lead the team to back-to-back Illinois State Championships in 2016 and 2017 achievements that shaped not only his game, but also his character and ability to lead under pressure. He was also selected to represent his school and community on the Illinois All-State Showcase Team.
After high school, Hayden continued his playing career at Marquette University, competing at the ACHA collegiate club level. During his time at Marquette, his perspective on the game began to evolve from player to mentor. He started viewing the position of goaltending through a more analytical and developmental lens, planting the seeds for what would become a deep passion for coaching.
Throughout his journey, Hayden has had the privilege of working with and learning from some of the most respected coaches and mentors in the game — including Zach Drane, Ryan Honick, Jared and Johnny Rutledge, Tim Anderson, Stu Gould, Eric Levine, Hunter Miska, Mike Valley, Kevin Delaney, and Derek King. These individuals not only helped shape his skill set as a goaltender but also instilled in him the values of mentorship, leadership, and a commitment to continuous learning.
Hayden coaches with one clear goal: to give back to the game that shaped him by helping young athletes build skills, confidence, and character—on and off the ice. Focused on fundamentals and attention to detail, he emphasizes strong habits, hard work, and smart training through drills and video analysis. Above all, Hayden is driven by a passion to guide the next generation in chasing their hockey dreams with discipline, dedication, and joy.
-
Nick Grabko
Nick began his hockey career with the Joliet Jaguars before joining the Chicago Mission, where he played from Squirt through U16, winning seven consecutive state championships. He went on to play U18 with the Fury, during which he tendered with the Minot Minotauros in the NAHL. He spent a season with Minot, earning a selection to the NAHL Top Prospects Game.
Following that season, Nick was drafted in the 4th round (47th overall) by the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL, where he played for one year. He finished the season tied for second in the league in save percentage and committed to Bentley University.
At Bentley, he was named to the Atlantic Hockey All-Rookie Team and was a three-time nominee for the Mike Richter Award. After completing his undergraduate degree, he transferred to the University of Alaska Fairbanks to pursue a master’s degree and play his fifth year of NCAA eligibility. During his time at University of Alaska Fairbanks, he was honored as a Hobey Baker Award nominee.
Following his collegiate career, he began playing professionally, signing with the Idaho Steelheads and Toledo Walleye in the ECHL. He also had the opportunity to appear in a game with the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL. He is currently seeking opportunities to continue his professional hockey career in the upcoming season.
-
Austin Smith
Austin Smith is a dedicated and detail-driven goaltending coach with a passion for helping young athletes elevate their game. With a relentless focus on battling for the puck, mastering rebound control, and refining the finer points of the position, Austin brings a high-level, technical approach to goaltending development—built on years of firsthand experience.
A former NCAA goaltender at St. Norbert College in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Austin knows exactly what it takes to compete at the collegiate level and beyond. His path to college hockey was anything but ordinary—in fact, it was shaped by grit, perseverance, and a relentless commitment to growth. Before his time at St. Norbert, he played three years of junior hockey across eight different teams, gaining invaluable experience and developing the adaptability, mental toughness, and resilience needed to succeed under pressure.
Austin's roots in the game trace back to the St. Jude Knights and run through some of the most competitive AAA programs in the Midwest, including Fury, Team Illinois, CYA, and the Chicago Mission. Those early years formed a strong foundation of skill, work ethic, and understanding of elite-level goaltending.
Today, Austin is passionate about sharing that knowledge with the next generation of goaltenders. His coaching emphasizes compete level, consistency, and attention to detail—whether it’s cleaning up technical movement, improving tracking and puck handling, or developing habits that translate into in-game confidence.
His goal is simple: to help every goalie he works with become more prepared, more focused, and more dominant in the crease—no matter what level they’re playing at.
-
Max Weilandt
I’m originally from Northbrook, IL, and grew up playing for some of the top youth programs in the country, including the Chicago Young Americans, Chicago Mission, Northstar Christian Academy, and the Chicago Reapers. Throughout my youth career, I was fortunate to win multiple state championships and develop alongside some of the best talent in the region.
I was honored to be drafted into the NAHL by the St. Cloud Norsemen, where I began my junior hockey career. Currently, I’m playing in the USHL with the Des Moines Buccaneers, competing at the highest level of junior hockey in the U.S.
As I continue to grow on and off the ice, I’m actively looking for opportunities to play college hockey and take the next step in my athletic and academic journey.
-
Frank Cambria
I started my hockey career with the Chicago Bulldogs, where I had the privilege of winning a national championship—an experience that fueled my passion for the game from the very beginning. After that, I spent three formative years with the Chicago Fury, developing my skills and growing as both a player and a person.
In the 2022–23 season, I played for the Janesville Jets in the NAHL, gaining valuable experience at the junior level. This past year, I split my time between the Springfield Jr. Blues and the Chicago Reapers, continuing to challenge myself and build my game.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to take the next step by joining the El Paso Rhinos in the NAHL for the upcoming season.
As a goaltender, I'm passionate not just about my own growth, but about giving back to the hockey community. One of my biggest goals is to support young goalies and provide them with the opportunities I didn’t have growing up—especially access to dedicated goalie coaching. I believe that everything starts with a strong foundation of fundamentals, and once that's in place, the rest of the game comes naturally.
