If you were a gambler, you might not have put much at stake on this threesome of Chicago born 1994’s, but you would have had a trifecta. These 3 young men are winners! While maybe not thoroughbreds, they are now seasoned junior veterans and will be counted on the moment they set foot on their respective college campuses next year.

Tanner Creel, Jared Rutledge, and Chris Funkey are all students of GDI USA President Ryan Honick’s in the recent past, and are now young coaches for GDI Midwest. Ryan boasts, “We are privileged to have 3 guys who have grown up in the Chicago tier 1 landscape and all moved on to the next level, and now for our students to learn from them…it’s not even about where they played that impresses me, it’s the personal stories of perseverance that carries so much value to anyone that has faced adversity in this sport.”

Because of their birth year, they often played with, for, and against each other growing up. They have been team-mates and adversaries. When they gather weekly to coach at our GDI Midwest Technical Clinic Series, they are friends. “Their is a lot of respect for one another in that dressing room, and on the ice.” Claims Honick. Now all three train together weekly with Ryan and Johnny Rutledge. As the core of the Elite group of local goalies, they cheer for and battle one another like when they were bantams playing for the Mission, Team IL, and CYA. Now it’s Penn State, the University of Connecticut, and one to be determined school, that will benefit from the goaltending being polished here.

Jared Rutledge awaits his fate. The one time University of Michigan starting goaltender participates in the skating and shooting sessions without a flickering light of school colors to rally for. This will not deter him, this will not effect him from reaching his seemingly meaningless goal of stopping a 3rd effort rebound in a drill, in a local Chicago suburb in the early morning hours. Jared is positive, he is confident, he is certain. 1 of 58 other Division 1 colleges will offer him a position in their crease. In fact, at the time of print, he was close with one or two that were simply tallying the grades, credits, and details required of college acceptance. While not in the most ideal of situations, Jared embraces this challenge, yet again. After departing Michigan, he spend 2 more seasons in the USHL, wrapping up with the Tri-City Storm. Proving to any naysayers that he is ready for NCAA hockey again. He will only get 2 seasons out of his next stop, an important fact to realize. If a player transfers schools, they must sit out one year completely, fortunately for him, he was able to return to junior. But a 5 year clock begins when you first set foot on campus, now affording Rutledge only 2 more seasons of eligibility, a rare case indeed. Nonetheless, whomever scoops up this goalie, will be pleased with their decision. Jared is a technician in many ways, he is always big, he is always composed, he is quick footed and has the mindset of a competitor.

Tanner Creel has also taken a path less traveled toward UConn this year. After playing only 1 season of Junior A hockey in the old EJHL (now USPHL-Premier), Tanner realized his dream of playing Division 1 hockey and committed to West Point, maybe they forgot to tell him…it was the Army! As an army brat himself growing up, Tanner was excited about the lifestyle and opportunity that a degree from the military would afford him. One year later, his opinion was formed, and his decision had changed. He wanted something else, something different for himself. Not knowing the path they might lay ahead, he returned to the USPHL and later to the NAHL. His gamble paid dividends. UConn joined Hockey East last season and they had an opening in the later part of this season. With help and support from many, Tanner has now been recruited and committed to two schools, as if one wasn’t difficult enough to achieve. He is certainly talented enough. Also a technician, his preparation defines him. He is a meticulous thinker and brings this into his game. Fast, explosive, and structured, Tanner is quite the specimen.

Lastly, Chris Funkey won 2 Championships with the Jersey Hitmen during his 3 years of Junior A hockey. Winning and Battling are truly Chris’ forte. With an “I will prove you wrong” mentality and a chip on his shoulder, he has out-waited the competition, and committed to B1G Penn State University. Chris had his choice of Division 3 schools interested in him, and had the grades to back it up. But his goal was something a little more sensational. Reaching it in January gave him the steam to push through this year’s playoffs with an undefeated record and claim him 2nd cup. As a captain and leader on his squad, Chris stayed focused on his team, not himself during his tenure. The message was simple, win hockey games, and the rest will take care of itself. Indeed it does, and a real lesson worth learning for our goalies distracted by what they have to do to climb the ladder. Funkey has scratched and clawed for his chance to play next year, and it is within his grasp, as the staff at Penn State believes in playing the goalie that gives them the best chance to win. They chose chose wisely.

These 3 horses won their races, and now, they are on to the next track. Keep in mind that their is not one path to greatness in anything in life, especially in hockey. They are fantastic examples of positivity, perseverance, and patience. They made the most of their paths. Best of luck next season guys!

As mentioned all 3 goalies are on staff at GDI Midwest clinics and camps, and are available this summer for private lessons and mentorship.