Leadership

Meet Our Coaches

Coaching Staff

Phil Gabrielsen

Hockey Director | Varsity Head Coach

Coach Phil Gabrielsen has ben coaching the FV Hawks since 2014 and has coached Illinois high school hockey for over 25 years. He has been awarded the Illinois "High School Coach of the Year" presented by AHAI; numerous times has been awarded the ISHL Coach of the year; had teams that have been the recipients of Sportsmanship Awards, presented by IHOA & ISHL. Phil has also coached numerous All Star teams and spent four years as a coach with the Illinois Showcase team, which represents the top high school players in Illinois in the annual Showcase tournament. His coaching staff has been together for more than 15 years and has been regular season champs numerous times. They have also made numerous appearances to league championships, elite eight and final four of the state tournament. As a coaching staff, they have earned the respect of AHAI, IHOA as well as others in the Illinois hockey community by the way their teams handle themselves on and off the ice. 





Mark Sokniewicz

Varsity Assistant Coach

Coach Mark has been coaching at the Hawks since 2014 and has been a hockey coach in Illinois for over 30 years. Coach Mark has been part of teams that have been to back to back ISHL Championships & back-to-back visits to the Cougar Cup Finals. Mark is a Level 4 coach with experience as head coach of several championship teams. He was named “Coach of the Year” and participated as an All Star game coach in both the Illinois Suburban and Metro West high school leagues. He stresses conditioning, defensive strategies, game preparation and sports psychology. 

Chris Bednarek

Varsity Assistant Coach

Coach Chris joined the Hawks coaching staff in 2012 working with both the JV and Varsity teams. He has been part of many successful teams with the Hawks including winning back-to-back Hayes Cup Champions as well as the IHSHL playoff runner-up for the Varsity White division. Chris played for St. Charles East High School at both the JV and Varsity levels. He also played for the Northern Illinois University Hockey team for 4 1/2 years while attending school. 

Steve Sokniewicz

JV Head Coach | Varsity Assistant Coach

Coach Steve Sokniewicz began his coaching career with the Fox Valley Hawks in 2014. Steve's teams have achieved numerous accomplishments including a Sportsmanship award, back-to-back Thanksgiving Tournament Championships, League JV Championship and have advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the State tournament many times. Steve has also been chosen to coach league All-Star games. Steve’s focus is to create a fun atmosphere for his players, while also stressing a theme of accountability both on and off the ice. He is currently a level 4 certified coach. Steve grew up playing for the Cyclones youth hockey program and then played high school hockey for St. Charles East, competing at both the JV and Varsity levels.

Pete Garvey

Goalie Coach - Varsity & JV

Goalie Coach/Assistant Coach Pete Garvey has spent nearly 30 years coaching hockey at various levels and much of that as specifically a goalie coach. He has been with the Hawks since 2014 as the goalie coach, but more importantly has a vast knowledge of the game of hockey which helps the entire staff. His techniques and teaching of the position improved every goalie he has instructed and some have been named All State & League All Stars. 

Devin Spellman

JV Assistant Coach

Coach Devin Spellman has been coaching with the Fox Valley Hawks since the 2019-20 season. His accomplishments include helping lead the JV Blue team to the 2019 PREP Thanksgiving Championship as well as the 2020 North Central JV Gold Playoff Championship. Devin is a Fox Valley Hawks Alumni and has several years experience playing both High School Hockey and Central States.

Kyle Caithamer

JV Assistant Coach

Coach Kyle Caithamer has been coaching with the Fox Valley Hawks since the 2021-22 season. Kyle is a Fox Valley Hawks Alumni, where he developed experience playing both offense and defense. He has quickly made a positive impact in his role with the JV team.

Confirm Delete
Click the delete icon again to confirm. Click escape to cancel.