YHC Coaches

Evan brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to York Hockey. As the founder and director of the Scholastic Hockey League (SHL), he has developed a deep understanding of the game at every level. With over 620 career wins, four State Championship appearances, and seven Final Four finishes, Evan’s leadership has been instrumental in guiding teams to success. He is also a five-time High School Coach of the Year, including this past fall season, and holds the distinction of being the winningest coach in Glenbrook North High School history. His extensive experience coaching at Glenbrook North, St. Viator, and Lake Zurich High School, along with the Northbrook Bluehawks fuel his strategic approach to player development and program management. He will be invaluable as we build strong, cohesive teams at York Hockey and work toward achieving new successes.

Brian, with 19 years of coaching high school hockey, has spent the last nine seasons with York Hockey Club, most recently coaching the Varsity White team. His exciting new role reflects his leadership and success at York, including guiding the JV team to three consecutive State and Scholastic Hockey League finals (2022-2024) and winning back-to-back State Championships in 2023 and 2024. In his new position, we will leverage Brian’s coaching expertise and deep understanding of team dynamics to strengthen both the operations and on-ice performance of York Hockey. With his proven success at York and extensive background at Waubonsie Warriors, Brian is well-equipped to make a significant impact in this key leadership role at York Hockey.

Brian grew up in Naperville playing for the Sabres and attended Neuqua Valley High School where he gathered All-State recognition as a Senior. He currently resides in Oak Park with his wife Kelly and two sons, Owen and Silas.

Nick Fina joined York on the Varsity Black staff for the 2024-25 season. Coach Fina currently holds a Level 5 USA Hockey coaching certification and has been a USA Hockey certified coach for 16 years. Prior to joining the York Hockey family, Nick has held director and coaching roles with the Flames, Admirals, and Bruins hockey clubs. In addition to his time in tier II youth hockey, he served as an assistant coach with the Robert Morris University – IL hockey program while pursuing and obtaining his MBA.

Nick grew up playing youth hockey for the Chicago Flames out of Center Ice of DuPage. After youth hockey, he joined the former Chicago Force junior program out of West Meadows Ice Arena. During his second season at the Force, his teammates voted him their team captain and was selected to the league’s all-star team to play against top from other junior leagues across the United States. Following junior hockey, Nick played collegiately at RMU-IL on their ACHA DI team and helped lead the team to two national tournament appearances during his junior and senior years. His time at RMU-IL helped him gain a much greater understanding of skill development and team dynamics, which helped drive his passion for teaching and coaching.

Nick currently resides in Glen Ellyn with his wife, Katie, and three children and considers himself a “lifelong rink rat.”

Collin's hockey journey began with the Jr. Hawks, progressing through the Chiefs and Bruins before concluding with a 4-year standout career at York High School, where he graduated in 2019. As a team captain under Coach Finnerty, Collin demonstrated exceptional leadership and showcased his offensive skills during York's transition into the SHL.

After graduating, Collin pursued higher education at the University of Iowa, earning a degree from the Tippie College of Business with a minor in Sports Recreation Management. He obtained coaching credentials in both Iowa and Illinois, along with certifications in basic first aid and CPR, highlighting his commitment to player safety and development.

Collin's coaching career started on a high note, winning the JV state title in his first season as an assistant coach. His extensive playing experience, combined with his leadership abilities and academic achievements, uniquely qualify him to mentor and develop future York hockey talents.

Coach Lee's journey in hockey began with his youth experiences playing for the Blues and Chiefs, which shaped his passion and deepened his understanding of the game. These formative years set the stage for a standout high school career at York, where he dedicated four seasons to perfecting his skills and served as an assistant captain. His athletic journey continued at Benedictine University, where he played four years of baseball, gaining valuable insights into team dynamics and sportsmanship.

Four years ago, Coach Lee transitioned into coaching, starting as an assistant coach and quickly making an impact. With the support of a talented coaching staff, he celebrated major achievements, including the 2022-2023 SHL Championship and State Championship titles. As he begins his second year as head coach, Coach Lee is dedicated to cultivating a culture of excellence, skill development, and camaraderie among his players.

Anthony began his hockey career at The YMCA, played for both The Chiefs & The Blues, leading himself to York Hockey where he played 3 seasons as a Duke. Anthony was a team captain under now Varsity Head Coach Matt Boeing during his first season with the program. 

After graduating from York in 2017, Anthony went to Roosevelt University where he pursued his Masters Degree in Marketing Communications. He also skated for The Roosevelt Lakers ACHA D1 & D2 team during his time in college.

Anthony joined the program as an Assistant Coach in the spring of 2023. During his first season he helped lead JV White to victory in the 2023 North Central JV Sliver Championship. His genuine passion for the game of hockey and commitment to the growth of young players align perfectly with our clubs culture & values. 

With 25 years of Hockey coaching experience at the AAA, AA, and CSDHL levels, Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team. His extensive background includes years of leadership and serving as a Head Coach and Hockey Director, making him a perfect fit to guide this new chapter in York Hockey’s history.

Coach Ryan is committed to creating a balanced environment that blends hard work, fun, and a deep understanding of the game. He believes that development, excitement, and preparation are essential for his team’s success, and he is dedicated to fostering a culture of growth and achievement.

In addition to his coaching career, Coach Ryan has been a School Counselor at York High School since 2008. He also founded the York Girls Lacrosse program, which has become one of the top programs in the State every year. Coach Ryan is eager to start building a strong, dynamic, and successful program for York Girls Hockey, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all involved. We look forward to the exciting journey ahead under his leadership!

We’re excited to welcome Ted Close to our girls coaching staff as an assistant coach. Ted brings years of experience working across a range of age groups and competitive levels, including Tier 1, Tier 2, and Girls Tier 2 hockey. His coaching career includes time with the Chicago Blues, Elmhurst Chiefs (where he also served as Hockey Director), and Team Illinois. In addition, he’s led player development with the Style Big Skills Program and holds a Level 4 USA Hockey Coaching Certification.

Ted’s coaching philosophy centers on real-time teaching—utilizing whiteboard sessions and immediate, on-the-fly feedback during practices and games to help players grow their confidence, hockey IQ, and decision-making under pressure. He’s committed to helping each athlete reach their potential, both as individuals and as part of a team.

Originally from Michigan, Ted played AAA hockey with Little Caesars and Compuware before competing at the Junior A level in Ontario’s MetJHL. We’re proud to have Ted join the staff and bring his passion, knowledge, and leadership to our program.

We’re grateful to have Rachel Goff on board with our girls’ program as an assistant coach! Rachel brings a strong playing background and a passion for the game to our club. She began her hockey journey with the Chicago Bruins, playing on both boys and girls teams, and skated for the Naperville North High School boys JV team before joining the Chicago Mission, where she spent seven seasons from U12 to U19 and won a National Championship with the U16 team.

Rachel continued her career at the collegiate level, playing for one year at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY before transferring to Lindenwood University in Saint Charles, MO, where she completed both her Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Master’s in Accountancy. She now works full-time as a tax associate at RSM, while staying connected to the game and mentoring the next generation of players.