NW Chargers Coaching Staff
NW Chargers Coaching Staff
Hockey Director
Tim Mueller Tim was a founding member of the Northwest Chargers and was involved with the youth hockey programs at the Rolling Meadows Park Districts rinks since they opened in 1970 until he and his family moved to Las Vegas in 2002. His experience in administering hockey organizations began in the early 1970’s when he developed and ran the house hockey program for the Rolling Meadows Park District. He also ran and was a co-founder and Board Member of such organizations as the Chicago Jesters, Team Illinois, of which he was involved for over 20 years, as well as a Board Member and the Hockey Director for the Las Vegas Outlaws Hockey Club. During Tim’s over 25 years with the Rolling Meadows Park District, he was the Director and Co-Director of several spring hockey leagues, with the last being The Spring League with over 325 participating teams. He also ran numerous hockey schools over the years to help insure the ongoing development of all participants of the organizations he was involved in
Goalie Coach
Zach Drane
Zach joins the Charger coaching staff after spending the last four seasons on the staff of Good as Gould Goalie Schools where he worked for several hockey organization in Northern Illinois. Zach grew up in the Chicagoland area where he played goalie for Team Illinois and the Flames Hockey Club. He then attended Western Michigan where he played on their club team and received his Bachelor of Business Degree in Finance.
Skills Coach
Rich Kuzmeski
Zach Drane
Zach joins the Charger coaching staff after spending the last four seasons on the staff of Good as Gould Goalie Schools where he worked for several hockey organization in Northern Illinois. Zach grew up in the Chicagoland area where he played goalie for Team Illinois and the Flames Hockey Club. He then attended Western Michigan where he played on their club team and received his Bachelor of Business Degree in Finance.
Skills Coach
Rich Kuzmeski
Mite Coaches
Rich Kuzmeski - Mite NIHL #1
After Rich finished playing and graduating from Hamilton College in New York, he went to Mankato State University where he worked as a Graduate Assistant for the school's Varsity hockey team. He then moved to Washington D.C. where he coached with the Washington Jr. Capitals AAA program and the Washington Redcoats Women's Hockey Team. Rich then moved to the Chicagoland area where he coached Mite - Bantam teams for the Lake County Atoms. During his 4 years with the Atoms, he won 2 N.I.H.L. Presidents Cups & 2 League Championships. Rich then went to the Chicago Young Americans AAA program where he coached for 2 seasons. Rich has also worked several hockey camps, he is presently working with the Kevin Delaney hockey camps. This past season, Rich worked as the Skills Instructor for the Johnny's Jets youth organization.
Scott Treiber - Mite NIHL #2
Scott grew up in Rolling Meadows and played for both Team Illinois & Chicago Young Americans AAA organizations. He had the experience of playing in the old Chicago Stadium when he played for Saint Viator in the High School State Championship game. This will be Scott's 10 year of coaching, as he has coached for the Northwest Chargers, Chicago Blues and the Leafs Hockey Clubs, coaching at all levels Mites - Midgets. Last season he served as the Mite Gold coach for the Leafs Hockey Club and has worked for the Leafs as a Skills Instructor in the past. Scott has also run his own Summer Hockey Camps the past 6 years.
Squirt Coaches
Bob Veller – Squirt NIHL #1
Bob is in his 13th year as a coach for the Northwest Chargers. He has been Head Coach for Mite A through Peewee A divisions as well as working with St. Viator High School. Bob completed his USA Hockey Coaching Master Level Certificate.
Bob is in his 13th year as a coach for the Northwest Chargers. He has been Head Coach for Mite A through Peewee A divisions as well as working with St. Viator High School. Bob completed his USA Hockey Coaching Master Level Certificate.
Coach Veller graduated from Fremd High School in 1991 and went on to earn two degrees from Northern Illinois University, one in Sports Medicine and another as B.S. Ed in Physical Education.
Bob has been the Rolling Meadows Hockey Director for the past 11 years, until recently being promoted to Ice Arena Director for the Rolling Meadows Park District. As a player, Bob skated for the Northwest Chargers, where his team won 5 State Championships, 4 League Championships, a Midget International Silver Stick Championship and a Midget National Champion Runner-up. In High School he played for the Fremd Vikings, the first public Northwest Metro team to win the Illinois State Championship in 1991, along with being named to the All State team for three years and the Metro NW All Star team for four years.
Steve Klima - Squirt NIHL #2
Steve got involved with coaching purely out of the love for the game. Bob Veller gave Steve an opportunity to become involved “on the ice” when he asked fathers to get involved with the Renegades house program. Steve has coached at the Mite level for the house league and travel, most recently, the Mite AA team for the Chargers and at the Squirt levels for house league.
Steve got involved with coaching purely out of the love for the game. Bob Veller gave Steve an opportunity to become involved “on the ice” when he asked fathers to get involved with the Renegades house program. Steve has coached at the Mite level for the house league and travel, most recently, the Mite AA team for the Chargers and at the Squirt levels for house league.
Steve continues to be involved with the house league at the beginner levels as well as with the pre-mite hockey program. His love for the game carries through his coaching to all players he is involved with. Steve brings a unique and dedicated approach to working with young hockey players. This past season, Steve was the Head Coach for both the Mite & Squirt Bronze teams.
Pee Wee Coaches
Dave (Mugsy) Mugavero - Pee Wee Major CS
Dave grew up playing his youth hockey in the state of Michigan where he played on 2 National Championship teams and was selected to participate in 3 different US National Select Camps. After playing in the NAHL and the USHL Jr. Leagues, Dave went on to play 4 years at Fredonia State University of New York. The past 7 years Dave has worked as an Asst. Coach with the Northwest Chargers. He has also worked as an instructor at many camps and clinics the past several summers. This past season, Dave was the Head coach of our Minor Pee Wee Central States team.
Dave grew up playing his youth hockey in the state of Michigan where he played on 2 National Championship teams and was selected to participate in 3 different US National Select Camps. After playing in the NAHL and the USHL Jr. Leagues, Dave went on to play 4 years at Fredonia State University of New York. The past 7 years Dave has worked as an Asst. Coach with the Northwest Chargers. He has also worked as an instructor at many camps and clinics the past several summers. This past season, Dave was the Head coach of our Minor Pee Wee Central States team.
Randy Sowizrol - Pee Wee NIHL #1
Randy grew up playing Mites - Midgets for the Chargers playing on their top teams. He also served as the Captain his senior year for the St Viators team which took 2nd place in the High School State Championship. Randy has the honor of winning both the Player of the Year & Coach of the Year for the Chargers. Randy will start his 2nd stint with the Chargers after coaching here for 10 years before he went on to spend the past 4 seasons with the Barrington Hockey Club.
Randy grew up playing Mites - Midgets for the Chargers playing on their top teams. He also served as the Captain his senior year for the St Viators team which took 2nd place in the High School State Championship. Randy has the honor of winning both the Player of the Year & Coach of the Year for the Chargers. Randy will start his 2nd stint with the Chargers after coaching here for 10 years before he went on to spend the past 4 seasons with the Barrington Hockey Club.
Bantam Coaches
Ken Smith – Bantam Minor CS
Ken has over 35 years of Tier I, Tier II and High School coaching experience with Team Illinois, Loyola Academy, Schaumburg Kings and currently the Northwest Chargers. Ken holds a Master's Level coaching certification from USA Hockey and was an AHAI / USA coaching education program instructor for over 10 years. Teams coached by Ken have obtained 18 State Tournament Flags, including State Championships, Central Regional Championships, 3 National Championship appearances and 2 National Championship Titles. Ken presently works as a Physical Education teacher for School District 50 for the past 10 years.
Ken has over 35 years of Tier I, Tier II and High School coaching experience with Team Illinois, Loyola Academy, Schaumburg Kings and currently the Northwest Chargers. Ken holds a Master's Level coaching certification from USA Hockey and was an AHAI / USA coaching education program instructor for over 10 years. Teams coached by Ken have obtained 18 State Tournament Flags, including State Championships, Central Regional Championships, 3 National Championship appearances and 2 National Championship Titles. Ken presently works as a Physical Education teacher for School District 50 for the past 10 years.
Ken Sall – Bantam NIHL #1
Ken grew up in the Niles area where he played at the local rink for the Sharks before he joined the Chicago Minor Hawks Midget AAA team. Ken attended Cortland State University in New York where he played hockey at the Division 3 level. Ken has spent the last 9 years coaching teams in the Mite through Bantam levels for the Northwest Chargers. This past season, Ken severed as the Bantam Silver Head Coach. Ken presently works for the Village of Niles Police Department as a Commander.
Midget Coaches
Mike Rucinski – Midget Major CS
Mike played his youth hockey for the Rangers hockey club and Team Illinois Jr. A team before going on to play NCAA Div, 1 Hockey at the University of Illinois Chicago for 3 seasons. Mike then went on to play in the Chicago Blackhawks system where he played several games in the NHL and played on 2 IHL Turner Cup Championship teams. Mike also represented the USA at the World Championships in 1985. After Mike retired from hockey he worked as a referee for several seasons before heading behind the bench to coach for several seasons working from Mites to Midgets and High School in both the AA & AAA levels. Mike has won a High School State Championship and led his Northwest Chargers Midget Minor and Major teams to play in the Tier 2 National Championships for the 2008 - 09 & 2009 - 10 seasons.
Mike played his youth hockey for the Rangers hockey club and Team Illinois Jr. A team before going on to play NCAA Div, 1 Hockey at the University of Illinois Chicago for 3 seasons. Mike then went on to play in the Chicago Blackhawks system where he played several games in the NHL and played on 2 IHL Turner Cup Championship teams. Mike also represented the USA at the World Championships in 1985. After Mike retired from hockey he worked as a referee for several seasons before heading behind the bench to coach for several seasons working from Mites to Midgets and High School in both the AA & AAA levels. Mike has won a High School State Championship and led his Northwest Chargers Midget Minor and Major teams to play in the Tier 2 National Championships for the 2008 - 09 & 2009 - 10 seasons.
Billy Karr – Midget Minor CS
Billy grew up in the Chicagoland area and played for Team Illinois and the Chicago Young Americans AAA hockey clubs. Billy was part of the Chicago Young Americans National Championship team in 1993 before going on to play College hockey at St. Norbert’s College in DePere, Wisconsin. After college, Billy coached Glenbard South High School for 5 years before coming to the Northwest Chargers to Coach at the Midget Minor division the past 3 seasons. This past season, Billy's team Won both the Midget Minor Central States as well as the Blackhawk Cup. His team then went on to place 3rd in the US 16 & under National Championships.
Billy grew up in the Chicagoland area and played for Team Illinois and the Chicago Young Americans AAA hockey clubs. Billy was part of the Chicago Young Americans National Championship team in 1993 before going on to play College hockey at St. Norbert’s College in DePere, Wisconsin. After college, Billy coached Glenbard South High School for 5 years before coming to the Northwest Chargers to Coach at the Midget Minor division the past 3 seasons. This past season, Billy's team Won both the Midget Minor Central States as well as the Blackhawk Cup. His team then went on to place 3rd in the US 16 & under National Championships.
Gregg Lee - Midget Minor
Gregg grew up in the Chicagoland area playing hockey where he earned a spot on the Chicago Nordics Jr A team in the U.S.H.L. After Jrs., Gregg began his coaching career. Greg has coached from Mites to Midgets at all levels. Gregg has coached for the Chargers, Team Illinois, CYA, and was the Midget coach and Hockey Director for the Atoms Hockey Club. He then went on to at the Falcons Hockey Club for 2 seasons, where he coached the CSDHL Midget Minor. This past season, Gregg took the Charger Minor Midget team to the NIHL Championship. When Gregg is not coaching hockey, he is working as a personal trainer and teaching Tae Kwon Do in which he holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt.
Gregg grew up in the Chicagoland area playing hockey where he earned a spot on the Chicago Nordics Jr A team in the U.S.H.L. After Jrs., Gregg began his coaching career. Greg has coached from Mites to Midgets at all levels. Gregg has coached for the Chargers, Team Illinois, CYA, and was the Midget coach and Hockey Director for the Atoms Hockey Club. He then went on to at the Falcons Hockey Club for 2 seasons, where he coached the CSDHL Midget Minor. This past season, Gregg took the Charger Minor Midget team to the NIHL Championship. When Gregg is not coaching hockey, he is working as a personal trainer and teaching Tae Kwon Do in which he holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt.
