The Chicago Bruins are firm believers in Professional Coaching, we want to make sure we give your daughters the very best coaching available. We have built a coaching staff who all have experience at the AAA and college level so we understand what it takes for those that wish to continue to play, but also understand the need to have fun and have a desire to come to the rink on a continued basis. Our coaches have a strong focus on development of skills and with that comes success. 

LAURIE MARKOWSKI - GIRLS DIRECTOR & U19 Head Coach

The Bruins are led by Director Laurie Markowski. Coach Markowski started playing hockey in the Chicagoland area playing both Tier I and Tier II hockey, which helped lead her to play ACHA Division 1 hockey at Northern Michigan University (NMU). She served as the Alternate Captain in both her Junior and Senior years playing at NMU. Laurie was thrice ranked in the top 50 players of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA).

Laurie has spent the past ten seasons coaching girls hockey at the U12-U19 levels on both the Tier II and Tier I side. During that time she helped lead the Bruins to clinch several tournament championships, Midwest Heartland Girls Hockey League Championship, NIHL League Championships, several Illinois State Championships that resulted in two trips to the USA Hockey National Tournament, where the team finished as one of the National Quarter Finalists.  

Laurie has been fortunate enough to coach several Bruins players and help them through the process to achieve their goals of  playing College hockey from NCAA DI & DII to ACHA DI, DII and DIII. The Bruins girls that continue to play at the collegiate level are encouraged to find the best fit for them, not only athletically, but most importantly academically.

Ariana DePinto - U19 Assistant Coach 

 Coach DePinto grew up playing girls’ youth hockey in the Chicagoland area. She herself began her career playing on the Chicago Bruins before she moved onto the next level, playing AAA for the Chicago Mission. Coach DePinto ended her youth hockey career playing AAA for the Chicago Young Americans, where she was recruited and committed to play NCAA Division 1 College Hockey for Yale University. 

After Coach DePinto’s freshman year of college at Yale, she transferred to The Ohio State University and played NCAA Division 1 College Hockey for the Buckeyes during her sophomore year. Coach DePinto completed her college hockey career by returning to Yale University and playing for Yale’s Men’s Club Hockey team during her Junior and Senior years of college, where she was selected to be captain during her senior season. Coach DePinto graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. 

Coach DePinto began her coaching career at the Chicago Bruins as the Assistant coach for the girls’ U14 elite, U16 teams, and helped the girls’ U19 team. Coach DePinto played a large part in the success of each team she has been a part of.  Her Coaching accolades include but are not limited to U14 1st place NIHL Championship, U16 2nd place NIHL championship, two 1st place State Championships at U14 and U19, National bound U14 elite team and a regional bound U19 team.. Coach DePinto is excited to hit the ice with the U19 team and help lead them to another successful season

Brad Hanewall - U16 Head Coach 

Brad started playing hockey at the age of 5 in Janesville, Wisconsin. He continued his hockey career through high school at J.A. Craig Senior High where he captained the Varsity team his Junior and Senior years. He was named to the All - Big 8 Conference Team two times, and was also a State Champion and All Sate in Track in the 4 x 400 relay. After high school, He played college hockey at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire.

Coach Brad started coaching in 2003 with the Glen Ellyn Flames Coaching Mite thru Squirt. He then joined the Bruins in Year one, helping run the Jr. Bruins and coaching his sons Squirt and Pee Wee teams as well as serving on Board of Directors. While at the Bruins he has coached Mites thru Midgets at NIHL and CSDHL coaching several Championship teams. Brad is a USA Hockey certified Level 4 coach and referee.

Many of Coach Brads players have moved on to play junior and college hockey. His philosophy is teaching solid fundamentals, skill development and instilling the love of the game and a true passion for hockey.

MACKENZI HEISNER - Girls Development Coordinator - 12U Head Coach 

Coach "Kenzi" Heisner grew up in Carol Stream, IL. She has been playing hockey since she was 12 years old. She played for the Glen Ellyn Admirals during her youth hockey career. She played on both the boys and girls teams. Then she went on to play hockey at Adrian College and was named a captain, her junior and senior year. Her team went to Nationals three of her four years there. She graduated with a degree in Physical Education and Health. 

Coaching has been her passion for as long as she can remember. She hopes to bring her teaching strategies on the ice to help her be a better coach. Her goal is to help her players develop a love for the game and create well rounded athletes.