Academy Skills Coach & Assistant National Bound Director Windy City Storm Academy & Windy City Storm AAA Hockey Club Palatine, Illinois | Full-Time Position Overview Windy City Storm Academy & Windy City Storm AAA Hockey Club are seeking an enthusiastic, driven, and passionate coach to join our staff as the Academy Skills Coach & Assistant National Bound Director . This is a unique opportunity for an aspiring elite coach to work alongside the National Bound Director while playing a significant role in the daily development of our 16U and 18U National Bound teams and Academy student-athletes. The successful candidate will become an integral part of all aspects of the hockey program, including player development, recruiting, video analysis, practice planning, game management, and advancement. This role is designed for a coach who wants to make an immediate impact while preparing for a future leadership role within one of the Midwest's premier AAA hockey organizations. This position offers a defined pathway to become a National Bound Head Coach during the 2027-2028 season. Primary ResponsibilitiesPlayer Development Lead daily Academy skill development sessions focusing on skating, puck skills, hockey IQ, shooting, and game habits. Develop and implement individual skill progression plans. Assist with position-specific instruction for forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders. Evaluate player development and provide regular feedback to players and families. Support Academy-wide player evaluations throughout the season. National Bound Team Support Assist with all aspects of the 16U and 18U National Bound teams. Plan and execute daily practices alongside the National Bound Director. Teach team systems, structure, habits, and special teams. Assist with game preparation, opponent scouting, and in-game adjustments. Run the bench during games when assigned. Support team culture, accountability, and leadership development. Video & Hockey IQ Development Lead individual and team video analysis sessions. Break down practices and games to reinforce systems and player habits. Teach hockey IQ, decision-making, and situational awareness through video instruction. Utilize video software to track player progress and development. Recruiting & Player Advancement Support Academy and National Bound recruiting efforts. Identify and evaluate prospective student-athletes. Build relationships with players, families, coaches, advisors, and junior programs. Attend showcases, camps, and recruiting events. Assist players with advancement opportunities to junior, collegiate, and professional hockey. Develop individualized advancement plans for Academy athletes. Academy Leadership Support the daily operation of the Academy. Mentor student-athletes both on and off the ice. Assist with Academy events, camps, and community outreach. Help create a positive, disciplined, and high-performance culture. Collaborate with coaching, academic, and administrative staff to provide a first-class Academy experience. QualificationsRequired Previous coaching experience at the AAA, Junior, College, or Professional level (playing experience may be considered). Strong understanding of modern player development principles. Ability to teach hockey skills, systems, and hockey IQ. Experience leading on-ice skill development sessions. Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills. Experience with video analysis and player evaluation. Strong organizational and time-management abilities. Willingness to travel and work evenings and weekends. Preferred Junior, collegiate, or professional playing experience. USA Hockey Coaching Certification (or ability to obtain). Recruiting or scouting experience. Experience using Hudl, Instat, SportCode, or similar video platforms. Strength and conditioning or skills coaching background. Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is: Passionate about developing elite hockey players. A high-energy teacher who enjoys being on the ice every day. Organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated. A strong communicator who builds meaningful relationships with players and families. Invested in long-term player development rather than short-term results. A collaborative leader who thrives in a team environment. Motivated to grow into a National Bound Head Coach and future hockey operations leader. Career Advancement Windy City Storm believes in developing coaches the same way we develop players. The successful candidate will work directly alongside the National Bound Director throughout the 2026-2027 season, gaining experience in player development, recruiting, video analysis, team management, and leadership. Our goal is to prepare the successful candidate for a National Bound Head Coach position during the 2027-2028 season , providing mentorship and progressive responsibilities throughout the year. Why Windy City Storm? Windy City Storm Academy combines elite hockey development with individualized academics to prepare student-athletes for success at the junior, collegiate, and professional levels. Our coaching staff works in a collaborative environment focused on developing skilled players, outstanding teammates, and future leaders. We invest in our coaches through mentorship, leadership opportunities, and a clear pathway for career advancement. Compensation Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience for the ideal candidate. We are committed to investing in exceptional coaches who demonstrate leadership, professionalism, innovation, and a passion for developing elite student-athletes.

Position Information Position:

Full-Time Organization:

Windy City Storm Academy & Windy City Storm AAA Hockey Club Location:

Palatine, Illinois Reports To:

National Bound Director Apply Today Please submit:

Resume Coaching Philosophy Three Professional References Email:

kshand@stormhockey.com

Pay:

$50,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Employee discount Flexible schedule Paid time off

Work Location:

In person