Falcons Hockey Association

Those Who Want to be the Best & Compete at the Highest AA Level Need to be Trained by the Best!

The Falcons Hockey Association has long been one of the most respected and successful hockey programs in Illinois.  One of the key ingredients has always been tied to a world-class coaching staff.  

When you break it down, coaching is one of the most important elements to a players development and success.  Accordingly, the Falcon’s have assembled and invested in one of the best Central State Development Hockey League (CSHDL) coaching line-ups.  Our staff is made up of not only the most experienced coaches on the North Shore, but those who have a proven track record of player development. 

The Falcon CSDHL Program offers high tempo practices and superb skill development for those who want to be the best. Our coaches are teachers who love the game, love to teach and who come to the rink each day with one thing in mind, “how to make you better!”  The player comes first!  That's why every program offered, every practice we run, and every team we assemble is constructed with considering the needs of the player’s development first.

We are proud to announce the all-star Falcon CSHDL coaching roster for the 2013-2014 season.  More information is coming soon!

Head Coaches

Tom Miller, director of the Falcons hockey, brings 21 years of coaching from Mite to Midget.  Tom has over 25 State/NIHL Flags and one of the most respected names in Illinois hockey. is the Director of the Falcons Hockey Association and had been the Assistant Director for 7 years. Tom has 21 years of coaching experience from Mite AA to Midget level. Tom has over 15 AHAI State flags and over 10 NIHL flags. As Head Coach of his AA Mite Team last season, he won the President's Cup and NIHL Championship in the Elite division. Prior to joining the Falcons, Tom was the Director of Northbrook's Hockey league for 11 years and was an Assistant and Head Coach of Glenbrook North H.S. Hockey Team that included 3 State Championships. Tom played youth hockey since he was a Mite and continued to play for the University of St. Mary's, Minnesota.

Ryan Taylor, director of the Falcons Central States program, brings a wealth of knowledge and proven track record of developing young hockey players.  Ryan spent three seasons with Chicago Mission and Bauer Selects. one of the most widely respected coaches in Illinois amateur hockey, will be joining the Falcons after spending the last two seasons with the Chicago Mission and Bauer Selects. Ryan will lead the Falcons efforts in strengthening the Central States Program while developing our young players at all levels.

Bob Heelan director of the Bantam and Midget program has spent over 20 years coaching hockey.  Bob has 14 State Tournament Flags, including State Championships, Central Region Championships and National Championship Finalist. is the Director of Hockey for Falcons’ Bantam and Midget program. He has spent 20 years coaching A, AA AAA, and High School Varsity hockey, including the last four years as Director of Hockey and Head Varsity Coach for Deerfield High School. Bob has 14 AHAI State Tournament flags, including State Championships, Central Region Championships and National Championship Finalist. He played hockey for the East Coast Hockey League, the Falcons Hockey Organization, Loyola Academy and the University of Kansas. Bob coached a few years for the Glenview Stars, a year with the Chill AAA, and will be coaching for his 18th year with the Falcons.

Tony Gill will be in his third season with the Falcons.  He previously worked with Ryan Taylor at CYA. Together they took the CYA 96 team to the State Championships in 2007-2008.  Tony coached the 2011-2012 Falcons Bantam Minor team to 2nd Place in the CSDHL and 3rd Place in the 2011-2012 Blackhawk State Cup Championship.  His 2012-13 Bantam Major team took 1st place in the Central States Development Hockey League, 1st Place in the 2012-13 Blackhawk State Cup and 3rd Place in the 2012-13 National Championships. Tony is the manager of hockey operations for the USHL which is the premier Tier 1 Junior league in North America. http://www.ushl.com/personnel/personnel.cfm

Bryce Anderson, 

Jan Masopust, Director of Skills and Player Development, continues with the Falcons with over 10 years of coaching experience. As the past Director of the Glacier National Hockey League, Jan has coached every skill level from Mite to Bantam, as well as being a coach for the Chicago Young American AAA program and the women's team, the Vixens. Jan's experience includes coaching and teaching hockey in his native country of the Czech Republic where Jan played hockey before playing for North Dakota State.

Wally Kormylo, Staff Professional.  Coach Wally, as he is affectionately known, has been coaching hockey for over 50 years. Wally has been a Head Coach with the Falcons for over 15 years and has been teaching power skating for over 40 years to every level of player from Mite to the Chicago Blackhawks. Wally has 8 State Championship flags, including the Mite B in 2007, 9 NIHL flags and 3 Silver Stick Championships. His coaching experience includes the U.S. Air Force Academy, the Korean National Hockey Team, the Chicago Minor Hawks and the Glenview Stars. He has been a Head Instructor at the Turcotte hockey camps, Stan Mikita's hockey camps for the hearing impaired and at least 10 years at hockey camps in Canada. Wally brings a wealth of hockey and teaching experience to the Falcons.

John Rutledge, Central States Goalie Director, 

Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, hockey became an integral part of Johnny’s life at a very early age. In 2000, he took on the challenge of becoming his son Jared’s goalie coach. Studying under top NHL goalie coaches at camps in the U.S. and Canada run by Mitch Korn (Buffalo Sabres, Nashville Predators), and Steve McKichan (Toronto Maple Leafs), Johnny learned the fundamentals, techniques and understanding of the position at the highest level. During the 2004, 2005 and 2006 Summer Training Camps in Calgary, Alberta, he had the privilege and opportunity to be on the ice and further develop his knowledge and skills with Goalie Development Institute (GDI) founder, Ian Clark (Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets).

As a result of this extensive approach, his son Jared progressed from House League up to Tier 1 AAA. And in 2010, at 15 yrs old, Jared signed a 2-year contract to play for the U.S. National Development Team in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Completing his term there and winning a gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship, Jared has now accepted a scholarship to the University of Michigan as their starting goaltender.

An avid student for the last 12 years, Johnny has studied many different approaches to the goaltending position and is well versed in the most current techniques and disciplines. He continues to train and develop goaltenders throughout the year via team practices, private sessions and summer training camps. The skill levels and ages range from 6 yr old beginners to Tier 1 Midget Majors. He has worked with a number of hockey organizations such as Johnny’s Jets, Glenview Stars, Team Illinois and Glenbrook South Titans and the Chicago Young Americans.

Off the ice, John has a successful career in music production. As a writer, producer, singer and vocal coach, Johnny has done TV and radio commercials, produced and recorded albums for numerous artists. He also wrote and produced the music for a popular kids’ TV show called The Doodlebops.

Johnny has lived and worked in Chicago for the past 21 years and has become naturalized as a citizen of the United States. He resides in Harwood Heights with his wife, Gwen.

Mark Passalino, NIHL Goalie Director, Goalie Director, will be starting his fourth year in this with the Falcons.  Mark played with the University of Wisconsin Badgers, and has coached at high school and tier II levels for over 20 years.

Scott Berger, Director of Girls Hockey

Tony Fritz, GLASA Falcons Head Coach, joins the Falcons as head coach of the GLASA Falcons Sled Hockey Team, having retired as head coach of the men’s hockey team at Lake Forest College (LFC). Coach Fritz posted 351 career victories and ranked top 50 in NCAA history in his 32-year tenure at LFC. Coach Fritz also led LFC’s soccer team, accumulating 145 victories and eight conference titles in 16 years. His 496 combined-sport victories are the most by any coach in LFC history.