High School Hockey Is Coming To Minooka: 'An Incredible Achievement'

(The following edited press release is from Dan Manno president of the Minooka Hockey Club. Manno also wanted Joliet Patch readers to remember that hockey is not an IHSA-sanctioned sport, which means we are not considered an official sport at Minooka High School. However, the school has generously allowed us to use their logo and include us in school announcements. Like other high school hockey clubs in Illinois, we will operate as a self-funded and self-governed organization."

MINOOKA — Big Announcement: Minooka Hockey Club has officially been APPROVED by AHAI.

This milestone would not have been possible without the dedication of our MHC board members and the unwavering support from all of you. Your words of encouragement, help in spreading the word, and participation in surveys played a significant role in making this vision a reality. AHAI even commended the thoroughness of our application, leaving them no reason not to approve. While this is an incredible achievement, it’s just the beginning of the real work ahead.

Next Steps:

• Fundraising: This will be critical to getting the club off the ground and keeping costs manageable for families. Several people have already expressed interest in helping, but we are looking for more volunteers so if you are interested please let me know.
• Freshman Night: Minooka Hockey Club will have a table at Incoming Freshman Night on January 22nd at Minooka High School. We invite you to stop by, say hello, and ask any questions you may have. Please note that hockey is not an IHSA-sanctioned sport, which means we are not considered an official sport at Minooka High School. However, the school has generously allowed us to use their logo and include us in school announcements. Like other high school hockey clubs in Illinois, we will operate as a self-funded and self-governed organization.
• Website Launch: We are building our official website at www.minookahockey.com, using Crossbar to streamline engagement and payments. Stay tuned for updates in the coming weeks.

Introducing Minooka Hockey Coaching Staff:

We are thrilled to announce the talented individuals who will be leading Minooka Hockey Club:

Jerry Fronek – Varsity and JV Head Coach

Coach Fronek brings over 30 years of coaching excellence in Illinois hockey, including Midget AAA with Team Illinois, high school varsity with Providence Catholic, and more than a decade at the collegiate Division II level with DePaul University. His career record of 246 wins and 8 regional appearances, including a trip to the National Finals, highlights his success. At the club level, he has guided teams to State, CSDHL, and NIHL finals at all levels from Mite through Midget. He also operates Fronek Skillzone Hockey Training Inc., specializing in small group training, and has directed the Jaguar Development Program since 2009. Several of Coach Fronek’s players have gone on to play in the AHL and NHL. Fronek skated for various AA and AAA organizations here in Chicago until the age of 16 and played for the College of DuPage NJCAA program finishing with a National fourth place finish before injuries ended his career at 19.

Matt Staehely – Varsity Assistant Coach

Coach Staehely has a 16-year playing career, including Midget AAA, NAHL, USHL, and NCAA Division III hockey at St. Mary’s University in Minnesota. With over a decade of coaching experience, Matt has led teams with the Jaguars and served as Head Coach of the Ohio University Bobcats ACHA D2 team. He holds a master’s degree in coaching from Ohio University.

Mike Ursitti – Varsity and JV Assistant Coach

Coach Ursitti played hockey for 16 years, beginning with the Jaguars, where he helped lead teams to consecutive NIHL finals, and later with the Chicago Flames, winning the Midget Major CSDHL Championship. He continued with the University of Illinois DI team, reaching four consecutive ACHA D1 National Tournaments. Mike has three years of coaching experience at the Bantam and Midget levels and is a proud Minooka Class of 2008 graduate.

Tom Moretti – Varsity and JV Assistant Coach

Coach Moretti played with the Jaguars and Cyclones CSDHL before starting his coaching career. He has coached at Providence Catholic, DePaul University alongside Coach Fronek, and in the Jaguar Development Program.

Tom Jepsen – Varsity and JV Assistant Coach

Coach Jepsen played for 16 years, including Jaguars Elite, Huskies CSDHL, and Flames CSDHL, earning multiple league titles and a State Championship. He continued his career at DePaul University, where he played defense under Coach Fronek on three Regional Finalist teams before transitioning to a coaching role at DePaul.

Randy Highbaugh – Varsity and JV Assistant Coach

Coach Highbaugh began skating at age 4, playing youth travel hockey with the Joliet Jaguars and Orland Park Vikings. He progressed to AAA hockey in Michigan and spent two years in the NAHL playing Junior A hockey before a career-ending injury that required multiple surgeries. His coaching experience includes Learn-to-Skate programs, youth hockey, and Midget Minor and Major AAA hockey. For the past 14 years, he has served as the Head Athletic Trainer at Minooka High School.

Steve Egan – Varsity and JV Skills Coach

Coach Egan has over a decade of coaching experience, specializing in skill development, powerskating, and player growth. He has been instrumental in shaping talent within the Jaguars Hockey Club and previously led Willowbrook Hockey Club as Director of Hockey Operations.

Paul Silva – JV Assistant Coach

Coach Silva has 27 years of playing experience, including Central States and AAA hockey. Now a Minooka resident, his lifelong passion for hockey drives his commitment to the Minooka Hockey Club. He also contributes to the Jaguar Development Program.

Jason McReady – JV Assistant Coach

Coach McReady brings 35 years of hockey experience. He began playing in Oak Park, developing his skills before continuing at St. Joseph High School and the Huskies' travel program. After transitioning from player to coach, McReady has shown steadfast dedication and achieved notable success. As a coach for the Jaguars, he was part of the staff that led the team to victory in the 2023 12U NIHL Elite Championship. Jason is committed to fostering player development, focusing on both on-ice skills and personal growth. His coaching approach emphasizes cultivating young talent while teaching essential life skills. Driven by his love for hockey and a desire to share that passion, he aims to instill a deep appreciation for the game in every player he coaches, promoting skill development and a lifelong connection to the sport.

Anthony Petrak – Varsity and JV Goalie Coach

Coach Anthony Petrak is a highly accomplished goaltending coach with extensive experience as both a player and coach across various levels of hockey. A former Division 1 goaltender at Robert Morris University, he led his team to multiple championships and earned top honors, including All-Star and All-Tournament recognition. As the founder of EDGE GOALTENDING and Associate Coach In Chief (ACIC) for USA Hockey, Coach Petrak has developed numerous players advancing to AAA, collegiate, and professional hockey through elite camps and private training. He also serves as the Associate Coach in Chief for USA Hockey and has contributed to top goaltending schools nationwide. With coaching experience in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers and a proven track record for developing top-performing goalies. While at Green Bay, the Gamblers had the best goalie tandem in two categories, save percentage and goals against average each season during his presence. Coach Petrak creates an environment for goalies to grow and achieve success, no matter what age or level they aspire to play at.

This exceptional coaching team brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for developing players both on and off the ice. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication, expertise, and vision, which are key to shaping the future success of the Minooka Hockey Club.

Exciting progress has been made in just a few weeks, and we’ll be meeting with Coach Fronek soon to begin planning for the upcoming seasons. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to build momentum.

Thank you for your unwavering support and enthusiasm. We’re thrilled to embark on this next phase of our journey with you. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.