2026 Board Nominees

Name: Kayla Dabney

Have you read the SIIH By-Laws? Yes

Do you currently have a child registered with the Ice Hawks? Yes

How long have you been with the organization? 2 years

Please list any positions you have held in the organization: Volunteer

Please give a brief outline of who you are and why you would like to become a Board member. What are your goals? What would you like to accomplish in your term on the board? 

The things I’d like to accomplish in my term is strengthen communication and transparency between the board, coaches, and families. Support player development both on and off the ice — skill growth, character, and sportsmanship. What interests me in becoming a board member is I want to give back to a program that invests in our kids growth and confidence along with having a voice to help shape the future of the Ice Hawks for all families. My experience first hand would be my professional in HR/HRIS with large organizations such as communication, problem solving, and ability to write/understand policies. My commitment to fairness, integrity, and doing what’s best for players. Finally my collaborative mindset and having respect for decision making process.

Name: Nathan Hutslar

Have you read the SIIH By-Laws? Yes

Do you currently have a child registered with the Ice Hawks? Yes 

How long have you been with the organization?  4 years 

Please list any positions you have held in the organization: Head Coach

Please give a brief outline of who you are and why you would like to become a Board member. What are your goals? What would you like to accomplish in your term on the board? 

I’m applying for a Board position because I genuinely care about hockey, this community, and where our organization is headed. Hockey has been a big part of my life, and over the last few years as a head coach with SIIH, I’ve had the chance to work closely with our players and families. Being in the rink week after week gives you a real feel for what we’re doing well and where we can be better. What draws me to the Board is the opportunity to help on a bigger level. As a coach, my focus is my team and helping those kids improve each season. As a Board member, I’d like to help shape the direction of the entire association to include supporting our coaches, improving communication, strengthening player development, and making sure decisions are made with the long-term best interest of the kids and the organization in mind. If selected, I’d focus on three things: player development, coach support, and accountability. I believe in developing fundamentally sound hockey players, but also kids who understand teamwork, discipline, and responsibility. I’d like to see clearer development expectations at each age level so players move up prepared and confident. I also think coaches need alignment and support so we’re all teaching the same core principles. And just as important, families should feel confident that decisions are fair, transparent, and centered on what’s best for the players. I bring leadership experience, firsthand knowledge of how our association operates, and a strong work ethic. As a head coach, I’ve managed teams, communicated through challenges, and built competitive environments that still prioritize growth and character. I’m direct, I’m honest, and I’m willing to put in the work. At the end of the day, I care about these kids and this organization. I want SIIH to continue growing stronger, more unified, and more competitive all while staying true to what makes youth hockey such an important part of our community.

Name: CJ Rogers

Have you read the SIIH By-Laws? Yes 

Do you currently have a child registered with the Ice Hawks? Yes 

How long have you been with the organization?  8+ years 

Please list any positions you have held in the organization: Helper, Asst Coach, Head Coach, Board Member, President

Please give a brief outline of who you are and why you would like to become a Board member. What are your goals? What would you like to accomplish in your term on the board? 

As the current President of SIIH, I have spent the last three years dedicated to the growth and stability of our club. While we have achieved significant milestones together, I believe my work here is not yet finished. I am seeking a seat on the Board to ensure the progress we’ve made is solidified into a long-term legacy of success for our players and families.

Name: Mike Pace

Have you read the SIIH By-Laws? Yes 

Do you currently have a child registered with the Ice Hawks? Yes 

How long have you been with the organization?  1 year

Please list any positions you have held in the organization: No positions, however volunteered to coach the upcoming CTP for 6u

Please give a brief outline of who you are and why you would like to become a Board member. What are your goals? What would you like to accomplish in your term on the board? 

I am a local business owner (Sullivan's Bar in Belleville), veteran, cybersecurity engineer, a dedicated hockey parent, and over this past season became an active member of the Ice Hawks community. Over the past two years since our oldest started playing ice hockey it has become a central part of our lives. I also began playing hockey myself with the Blues Warriors to better connect with my kids, understand their development firsthand, and fully immerse myself in the culture of the game. As my children have grown in the sport, I’ve realized that youth hockey is where I want to focus more of my time and energy. I have intentionally begun dialing back my day-to-day business operations so that I can invest more deeply in spending time with them through the sport. I think being on the Ice Hawks board would be a great next step investing in their hockey future along with their peers. Being a business owner, I bring skills such as finance and accounting, day to day operations, overall strategy, and marketing. In general I bring professional skills from being in the tech industry for over 15 years.

Name:  Doug Engle

Have you read the SIIH By-Laws?  Yes 

Do you currently have a child registered with the Ice Hawks? Yes 

How long have you been with the organization? 2 years

Please list any positions you have held in the organization: Coach - 6U, 6U/8U Black Ops

Please give a brief outline of who you are and why you would like to become a Board member. What are your goals? What would you like to accomplish in your term on the board? 

I believe I would bring additional hockey, player development, business and legal skills to the Board of Directors. I have experience playing, coaching, running hockey camps, running training facilities, running a business and providing legal/commercial advice. Of highest interest to me is to help the Board build a stronger player development program and coaching pipeline. A targeted approach to player and coaching development will: 1. Attract more players; 2. Keep more players in the program long-term; 3. Ultimately result in higher revenue and a stronger financial position of the organization; and 4. Allow the organization to invest further in itself and the tools it needs for player development.

Name:  Anthony Russo

Have you read the SIIH By-Laws?  Yes 

Do you currently have a child registered with the Ice Hawks? Yes 

How long have you been with the organization? 3 years

Please list any positions you have held in the organization: Asst coaching

Please give a brief outline of who you are and why you would like to become a Board member. What are your goals? What would you like to accomplish in your term on the board? 

I am interested in becoming an SIIH board member, because I have a vested interest in the future of this organization and believe in the importance of community involvement. I want to be an advocate for the organization that has welcomed my family. My most important accomplishment would be getting more community sponsors for our team, to allow more kids the opportunity to play hockey. I love the game of hockey and would like to play a larger role in SIIH.