Winnetka's coaching staff spent a recent Saturday afternoon with veteran NHL coach Barry Smith for a discussion about best practices in player development.

The conversation included video study, whiteboard sessions, and a lengthy Q&A, providing a rare opportunity to tap into the wisdom of a coach who's served as an assistant to the Sabres, Penguins, Red Wings, and Coyotes. Smith won three Stanley Cups with the Red Wings, two with the Penguins, and two more as Director of Player Evaluation and in other roles with the Blackhawks.

“As with our players, I feel it’s very important for our coaches to continue to learn and develop their craft,” said WHC Hockey Director Chris Wickersham.  “Providing them access to professional coaches like Barry Smith is a great way for us to grow and improve ourselves, and our Club.”

Smith covered a range of topics, including ways to grow player awareness, drills to improve puck support, frequently overlooked focus areas, and novel team-building ideas.

“The session with Barry covered all facets of the of the game of hockey and was truly inspirational,” said Coach Bob Wilson. “I think [it’s] going to provide a springboard to get all of us coaches on the same page with the concepts we’re learning heading into the season, and that will be huge for player development.”

EX-NHL PLAYER JEREMY MORIN JOINS WARRIORS COACHING STAFF

WINNETKA, Ill. (For immediate release) - Winnetka Warriors Hockey Director Chris Wickersham has named Jeremy Morin to the coaching staff of the Winnetka Hockey Club youth travel program. Morin will serve as a player development and skill coach for all ages beginning with Warrior Academy this spring and as the head coach for the top Peewee team beginning with the 2022-23 regular season.  

Morin brings a wealth of success and experience to the Club as a former NHL, EJHL, OHL, and AHL player and multi-time representative of USA Hockey in the IIHF World U18 Championships and World Junior Championships. He currently serves as Player Development Coach for Prodigy-Hockey, a specialty performance coaching organization, working with pro, college, junior and elite level youth hockey players. Morin has also coached for the Chicago Mission AAA and Chicago Jets AA programs. 

"As a coach, Jeremy has worked with everyone from NHL players to female Olympians, to kids starting out in the sport" said Wickersham. "His developmental philosophy will fit nicely with our Club's goal of equipping and preparing our kids to achieve their goals in hockey."

"We are thrilled that Jeremy will be joining our club this year," said Winnetka Hockey Club Co-President Brian Doll. "His proven track-record as a player with the Chicago Blackhawks and as a coach with Prodigy and the Chicago Mission have us excited for the future of Winnetka Hockey."

Morin spent five seasons as a left-winger for the Chicago Blackhawks organization as well as stints with the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets and a variety of minor league hockey clubs in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. 

FORMER NY RANGER, CHICAGO NATIVE CONOR ALLEN LATEST TO JOIN CLUB

WINNETKA, Ill. (For immediate release) - The Winnetka Warriors have hired former New York Ranger Conor Allen, Hockey Director Chris Wickersham announced today. Allen will join the Winnetka Hockey Club as a player development and skills coach for Warrior Academy, WHC's innovative spring hockey program.  He will be working with all age groups. 

One of the few native-Chicagoans to compete at the highest levels of professional hockey, Allen began his career at the Latin School of Chicago before moving on to Team Illinois, eventually becoming the team's captain. From there, he played on the junior level in St. Louis and Sioux Falls, SD before turning to collegiate hockey at Hockey East stalwart, UMass Amherst. 

By his junior year, he was turning the heads of NHL scouts and signed with the Rangers at season's end. Allen spent two years in the Rangers organization, alternating between the NHL and the team's AHL affiliate, Hartford Wolfpack. 

The defenseman spent two more seasons at several different AHL franchises including the Grand Rapids Griffins before heading to Europe in 2018. He rounded out his career with three seasons in the Czech Extraliga, one of the top 5 competitive professional hockey leagues worldwide.

“Having had the opportunity to work with Conor during his playing career, I couldn’t be more thrilled to add a coach who is familiar with our learning and teaching philosophies,” said Wickersham. 

"He has a way of breaking it down for young players that makes him a good fit for our club."

"I’m just going to try to add whatever I can," Allen said. "Spring is a great time for the kids to focus on the fundamental skills that make them better hockey players. "It will be a lot of fun."

Winnetka Hockey Club Office Phone
Chris Wickersham
847-446-9004