HOCKEY STAFF

For the upcoming 2025/26 IceCats Hockey Season, we are pleased to announce that John Boidanis has accepted the position of head coach of the Varsity team.  John began his hockey journey playing for the Glenbrook North Spartans, where he developed a strong foundation in the game. After his playing career, he transitioned into coaching, working with players across multiple age groups and skill levels through European Elite Power Skating.

He went on to coach at the mite level with the Northbrook Bluehawks before spending three years as a referee, officiating games at all levels up to varsity hockey. John then moved into AAA hockey with the Windy City Storm, where he coached teams up to the bantam level. Building on that experience, he accepted the role of Head Coach for the Carmel Catholic JV program, continuing his commitment to developing young athletes both on and off the ice. 

All of this prepared John for his current position as Varsity Head Coach for the IceCats, where he continues to bring his passion, knowledge, and leadership to the next generation of players.

Brendan is an IceCats alumni who played four years in the program, building a strong foundation and passion for the game. He continued his playing career at Colorado Mesa University, competing in ACHA Division III hockey. After graduating, Brendan transitioned into coaching, spending a season with the Carmel Catholic JV team before joining the IceCats staff. He aims to build a competitive culture, help players reach their full potential, and compete for a state championship with the IceCats.

Chris Merritt is a USA Hockey Level 4 certified coach with over eight years of coaching experience at the youth and high school levels. He specializes in player development, team systems, and leadership growth, helping athletes reach their full potential both on and off the ice. Chris has led championship-caliber teams while fostering a culture of accountability, sportsmanship, and continuous improvement.

Mark Smirnov is excited to be joining the IceCats coaching staff as an Assistant Coach for the Junior Varsity Team. Mark played for the Highland Park Falcons in his youth. Prior to joining the IceCats, Mark spent three seasons coaching 12U and 14U teams at the Vernon Hills Ice Dogs organization. He also served as an Instructional Coach for the youth hockey program at Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion, where he helped develop fundamental skills and foster a love for the game among beginners. Mark holds a USA Hockey CEP Level 4 Coaching Certification. He looks forward to supporting Head Coach Merritt, with whom he previously coached with at Ice Dogs, in building a competitive JV Team that strengthens the club’s overall lineup.