Coaching Staff

Most Coaching Bio’s begin with playing credentials, but after 20+ of coaching, I have realized the where, level, and duration you have played has very little to do with how well you coach. However, some families probably wonder, What does he know?”…so to play along here are some highlights…

I was a good hockey player growing up, which led to playing D3 NCAA hockey at St Norbert College. It was a blast. After college, I volunteered to coach in my hometown Wilmette IL but realized I just wasn’t quite finished playing. So I joined a team with a very accomplished group of players. We became lifelong friends, competing in tournaments across North America and even winning a couple of National Championships. I will always treasure the friends, memories, and battles I shared with my teammates during and after college. This experience of competing with your friends for your friends is ingrained into the culture of Carmel Catholic Hockey.

I started coaching club hockey with the Ice Dogs in 2001 because Ken Johnson, one of the Hockey Directors, asked me to. My wife, Amy, didn’t realize what she was in for, but I knew this time I was ready to coach. My first season as a head squirt coach ended with a state championship, but that wasn’t the best part. For me, it was watching my team play, observing their deficiencies, and then addressing those with drills and practices. Slowly the players learned, adjusted turning weaknesses into strengths. I enjoyed my 18 seasons with the Ice Dogs. The program is excellent.

I’ve spent the last 7 years with Carmel Catholic High School. I was never really interested in coaching older players, but I quickly found enjoyment in teaching them ways to think the game, to execute plays at high speed, and compete with full effort. The student-athletes at Carmel are fantastic. They are polite, engaging, and always interesting. We are all works in progress, but this is especially true of high schoolers. Watching them mature and playing a small role in their lives over those impactful four years is extremely rewarding. 

If you are reading this bio because you are considering Carmel and wondering what we are about here it is….Carmel the High School and the Hockey Program begin with belonging. We see, appreciate, and cultivate the unique gifts your child brings as a Freshman. We believe our culture is fundamentally more important than any wins or losses. At Carmel Catholic Hockey, we understand the importance of talent but it is effort, grit, and our ability to connect with others that will triumph in life.

Please reach out if you are interested in joining!

I grew up in Burlington, Ontario, Canada and started playing hockey at the age of four. After playing through high school and college I landed in the beer leagues like so many others. It was here I really understood my passion for the sport. Winning games and tournaments was great, but it was playing with my friends and how we pushed each other to be better that kept me coming back. 

After moving to the Chicago area in 2005, I got an opportunity to start coaching hockey and began appreciating the game at a new level. While at the Ice Dogs, I coached a core group of kids over six seasons with two other coaches. We built a squad that won a NIHL championship, Central States championship, Presidents trophies and countless tournaments. Although we had a great group of athletes, it was the camaraderie amongst teammates and parents that made this group so special.

Over my 15+ years of coaching I’ve learned that culture is the most important element in achieving greatness. An environment built on personal accountability, trust and dedication not only develops great hockey players but great people. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to continue coaching at Carmel and look forward to my second season.

Scott McCandless grew up in Lake County playing youth hockey for the Falcons and then on to 4 years of Varsity hockey for Libertyville High School where he was a captain his Junior and Senior year. After his high school career, Scott attended Northern Michigan University where he played on their ACHA Division II team, earning the roll of Assistant Captain. 

After graduating, Scott continued his hockey career as an assistant coach with PJ in 2009 for the Ice dogs. Over the past 13 years, Scott has coached mites through Varsity HS hockey. Scott currently teaches physical education for Round Lake School District, where he has been for the past 6 years. 

Rob is a highly accomplished coach and former player hailing from Chicago. Having grown up in the Chicagoland area, Rob played youth hockey for the Chicago Chill AAA, Naperville Sabres, and Chicago Blues. With an impressive playing career that included winning two Illinois State Championships in youth hockey and competing in Junior hockey leagues across the United States and Canada, Rob's passion for the game led him to continue his hockey journey at Robert Morris University. At Robert Morris, he played for the ACHA D1 team, securing two League Championships and earning the Runner-up title in the ACHA D1 Nationals.

Drawing from his vast playing experience, Rob transitioned into coaching and has made a significant impact in the hockey community. He has coached for various clubs, both boys and girls, and notably served as the Goalie Director for a youth organization with a sizable cohort of over 30 goalies. Recently, Rob has lent his expertise as an assistant coach in the Ice Dogs Program and at Carmel Catholic High School, further enhancing his coaching portfolio.

Greg grew up in Mequon, WI and found himself on hockey skates at the age of 4. Greg played his youth hockey for Milwaukee Winter Club. With most his high school friends staying local and going to UW-Madison or other UW schools, Greg chose, instead to go south and attended Lake Forest College. He played D3 NCAA hockey at LFC. It was a great experience and a ton of fun; playing teams like Notre Dame, Kent State University, and he even traveling to Alaska (in the middle of December!) to play against University of Alaska-Fairbanks. After college, Greg settled down in Lake Zurich and started coaching for the Ice Dogs; coaching at different levels, mite through bantam for 8+ years.