Coaching Staff

Jerry Fronek – Varsity and JV Head Coach

Coach Fronek has been at the forefront of coaching in Illinois for the past 30 plus years including Midget AAA with Team Illinois, High School Varsity with Providence Catholic and over a decade at the Division II collegiate level at DePaul University where he posted a career record of 246 wins against 120 losses including 8 regional appearances and 1 trip to the National Finals. At the club level Fronek has coached teams at multiple programs to State, CSDHL and NIHL finals at levels Mite through Midget.

In addition to these coaching accolades,Coach Fronek also operates Fronek Skillzone Hockey Training Inc. which specializes in private and small group lessons and has been the Director of the Jaguar Development Program out of Inwood since 2009. To date, Fronek has over a dozen former players that have graduated into 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

Matt has enjoyed a 16 year playing career including Midget AAA, NAHL, USHL and finishing at the NCAA Div III level with St. Mary’s Minnesota.

Coach Staehely has over 10 years coaching experience including several teams at the Jaguars and a stint as Head Coach of the Ohio University Bobcats ACHA D2 team. Matt holds a Masters degree in coaching from Ohio University.  

Mike Ursitti – Varsity and JV Assistant Coach

Coach Ursitti played for 16 years, first for the Jaguars where he helped lead his teams to consecutive NIHL finals, then the Chicago Flames where he won the Midget Major CSDHL Championship  and ending with the University of Illinois DI team that was the ACHA D1 National runner-up and racked up 4 consecutive ACHA D1 National Tournament appearances.

Mike has coached the Bantam and Midget levels for three years and is Minooka Class of 2008.

Tom Moretti – Varsity and JV Assistant Coach 

Coach Moretti played for the Jaguars and Cyclones CSDHL growing up and began his coaching career shortly after finishing up at the Cyclones.

Coach Moretti coached 2 years at Providence Catholic and 4 years at DePaul University with coach Fronek.  He also works with the Development program with the Jaguars.

Randy Highbaugh- Started skating at 4 years old.  Played travel hockey locally between the Joliet Jaguars and Orland Park Vikings.  Played AAA hockey in Michigan and 2 years of Junior A hockey in the NAHL.  Hockey career ended due to an injury that required several surgeries.  

Coaching experience from Learn to skate/youth hockey through Midget Minor/Major AAA hockey. 

Currently the Head Athletic Trainer at Minooka High School for the last 14 years.  

Tom Jepsen – Varsity and JV Assistant Coach 

Coach Jepsen played for 16 years including Jaguars Elite, Huskies CSDHL and Flames CSDHL winning multiple league titles and a State championship. He capped off his playing career at Depaul University where he played Defense for Coach Fronek on 3 Regional finalist teams.

After ending his playing career, Coach Tom stayed on at DePaul University as an assistant coach for three years.

Steve Egan – Varsity and JV Skills Coach

Coach Egan grew up playing for the Jaguars Hockey Club and has over 10 years coaching experience.

Coach Steve has coached in the Jaguar program at many levels and has been instrumental in developing the talent within the club with his skills orientated training style and has deep insights on powerskate and overall skill development. Coach Steve also ran the Willowbrook hockey club for several years as the Director of Hockey operations.

Jason McReady – JV Assistant Coach 

Jason McReady brings 35 years of hockey experience, a testament to his deep-rooted passion for the game. He began his journey in Oak Park, honing his skills as a young skater before moving on to St Joseph High School and the Huskies' travel program.

Transitioning from player to coach, Jason has demonstrated unwavering commitment and achieved significant success. As a coach for the Jaguars, he most recently was on staff for his team's 2023 victory at the 12u NIHL Elite Championship.

Jason is dedicated to fostering player development with a focus on growth both on and off the ice. His comprehensive coaching style cultivates young talent and imparts essential life skills. Driven by a profound love for hockey and a commitment to sharing his passion, Jason strives to instill a deep appreciation for the sport in every player he coaches, fostering skill development and a lifelong love for hockey.

Paul Silva – JV Assistant Coach 

Coach Paul has been playing hockey for 27 years. Most of his youth career was playing Central States and AAA hockey. Coach Paul currently lives in the Minooka area. Hockey is Paul’s life passion and he looks forward to being a part of Minooka Hockey Team.

Coach Paul also helps with the Jaguar Development program

Anthony Petrak - Varsity and JV Goalie Coach

Coach Anthony Petrak has experienced all facets of hockey during his playing and coaching career. From local programs in the Chicago area to Junior teams and Collegiate teams across the nation. Coach Petrak played Division 1 hockey at Robert Morris University, backstopping the team’s incredible run to a Central States Collegiate Hockey League regular season championship, a playoff championship, and into the ACHA National Championship Game. For his efforts, he was named to the Central States All-Star Team and was the First Team All-Tournament goalie at the National Championships.

Coach Petrak has established himself as one of the elite goaltending skills coaches in the Chicagoland area, assisting in the development of players advancing to AAA, collegiate and professional hockey. He is the owner of EDGE GOALTENDING which is an elite factor in development of many goalies in the Chicagoland and Midwest region. EDGE GOALTENDING provides high level elite Camps and Private lessons year round.

Coach Petrak also serves as the Associate Coach In Chief (ACIC) for USA Hockey by helping grow knowledge and passion for the position and helping find those that have potential to play at the highest levels. Over the past ten years, he has helped develop goalies at various goaltending schools including The Mitch Korn Goalie School, Midwest Goalie School, Bandits Goalie School, SRM Goalie School, Tactical Goaltending School in St Louis, and STOP-IT Goaltending located in the Boston area. 

Coach Petrak is also involved and coached in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers. 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.