We are proud to announce our expansion to the Midwest Region of the United States by launching GDI Midwest!
As you are aware, President Ryan Honick has been consulting in the Midwest for many years, working GDI Prospect Camps, coaching with Premier Goaltender Development (PGD) in MN, and Midwest Goalie School (MWGS) in IL, making yearly trips to the NAHL and USHL showcases, scouting, and more. We believe that all goaltenders should be provided with elite level coaching and development. The opportunity and need for such a program has evolved in Chicago, IL. Coach Honick will relocate there in the fall to begin this endeavor and continue to satisfy a growing demand for top end consulting in the Midwest.
Partnering with Ryan will be John Rutledge, a very well respected and well known coach in the Chicagoland area. Johnny and Ryan will target a Regional Development Camp for the summer of 2015 but will immediately deliver comprehensive mentorship programs, individual lessons, clinics, and more. We have already partnered with many of the top associations in the city for next fall. We are honored to affiliate ourselves as the Goalie Coaches for the HPHL Team Illinois Midget teams, the HPHL Chicago Young Americans boys Bantam, PeeWee, and Squirt teams, the Falcons Hockey Association, the Rockford Hockey Club, and the prestigious Bauer Selects spring/summer program.
In addition to the staff, PDG Women’s Director and GDI Southeast Guest Coach Sanya Sandahl will be relocating from Minneapolis to Chicago as Director of Goaltending for the Chicago Young Americans Girls Program. She will also take on the role of Assistant Coach for their U19 College Prep and U12 Squirt teams. Sanya will round out our initial team to offer the girls in Chicago exactly what they have been missing.
Also, the USHL Green Bay Gamblers have hired Ryan as their Goaltending Coach for the 2014/2015 season. Ryan will travel into Green Bay twice a month to work with the goalies and coaches at practices and games. He will also consult with the local youth program. The USHL Chicago Steel had previously brought him in as a consultant in years past, but this position will provide the club with a more full time coach that will deliver a plan and structure of goaltender development, as well as a scout to assess goaltending talent for the organization.
Finally we will expand our extremely successful and one of a kind National Development Camp (NDC) to a Midwest location with the launch of GDI WEST for the summer of 2015. This elite level event brings together the best resources possible to offer the best camp possible and will be created in the same mold as the GDI EAST event presented at Quinnipiac University’s TD Bank Sports Center in Hamden, CT. Expect a formal announcement in the coming weeks. Read EAST Wrap Up article
GDI Southeast will now be led by Jay Chrapala, current Operations Manager of our school. Jay will expand upon his role to include in and off season mentorship, lessons, camps, and association affiliations. What makes Jay unique compared to ALL other goalie coaches however, is his Physiological expertise. Jay is certified by the NSPA as a personal trainer and is also CPR and AED certified. He has consulted for Pioneer Corporate Health, 368 Fitness, and now is an official Strength & Conditioning Coach for Launch Sport Performance, operated by Dr. Liz Wheeler and located in Rockville, MD. Jay will continue his personal dedication to the AYHL Team Maryland Organization as Director of Goaltending for a 3rd season (and 7th under GDI Southeast), as well as direct programming for many other clubs in the area. Jay is a very sought after coach due to his challenging drills, and the ability to communicate and motivate the top goaltenders in our family.
Coach Honick will administrate GDI Southeast and GDI Midwest programs as President and continue to be your primary point of contact for all of your goaltending needs. Ryan will also continue to monitor our clients in the East as well as make periodic visits to the area as 6th year Goaltending Consultant for the USPHL Jersey Hitmen.
This website and our social media platforms will begin to take shape over the coming months to consolidate the Southeast, EAST, Midwest, and WEST titles and programs.
We hope that you are as excited as we are for the creation of our new projects in the Midwest. As we continue to evolve our brand and business from our 2006 inception, new challenges bring new opportunities. An expanded network of goalies, teams, coaches, camp offerings, and programs will benefit all involved and bring our philosophy, experience, and expertise to a new market. By expanding locations, we will expand our family.
Please contact us for questions and comments, thank you.