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USHL Chicago Steel

Derek Whitmore, Karel Popper Join Steel Hockey Staff

August 9, 2021 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


GENEVA, ILLINOIS - The Chicago Steel today announced the hiring of Derek Whitmore and Karel Popper who each join the hockey staff as Assistant Coaches. Whitmore will work primarily on the offensive side of the puck while Popper will take on the primary responsibility of working with the team's goaltenders.

Both Whitmore and Popper join the Steel from NCAA Division 1 hockey where each recently served as a member of a collegiate coaching staff.

Whitmore, who played parts of 11 seasons professionally including a stop in the National Hockey League after a standout career at Bowling Green State University, most recently served as assistant coach for the Mercyhurst University men's team from 2020-2021 after holding the assistant coach position for the Bowdoin College women's team from 2018-2020.

"Derek is a great fit for the Steel and we're excited to have him join our coaching staff," said Steel General Manager Mike Garman. "You can feel his passion for coaching and player development and his hockey philosophy perfectly aligns with the Steel. He brings invaluable mentorship to our players from his impressive playing career - over 500 pro games, including NHL, AHL, ECHL, and several years in top European leagues. In addition to coaching, Derek has over 10 years of skill development experience and will also assist in individual player development."

During his playing career, the Rochester, N.Y., native skated for the Lincoln Stars and Waterloo Black Hawks in the USHL before playing four seasons at Bowling Green where he served as team captain his senior year.

Professionally, Whitmore made his NHL Debut for the Buffalo Sabres in 2011, appeared in 369 games in the AHL and made stops in the ECHL as well as the DEL (Germany) and EBEL (Austria). In his final season of professional hockey, he was named team captain of the Reading Royals (ECHL) for the 2017-2018 campaign.

"I am honored and very fortunate to be joining the Chicago Steel family," said Whitmore. "The Steel organization from top to bottom is the gold standard right now and having the opportunity to work with Mike Garman, Noëlle Needham, Brock Sheahan, Matt Deschamps, Karel Popper, Adam Nicholas and the rest of the organization is something I am very excited about. The USHL is such a great development league and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help develop the next wave of steel players to come through Fox Valley Ice Arena. I would also like to thank Rick Gotkin and Greg Gardner for giving me the opportunity to coach at the NCAA Division 1 level and be a part of the outstanding program at Mercyhurst University."

Karel Popper joins the Steel after most recently serving as goaltending coach for the University of Minnesota men's and women's teams. Last season, Popper worked with Jack Lafontaine, the NCAA Mike Richter Award Winner for best goaltender and First Team All-American at the University of Minnesota. Prior to his work with the Gophers, Popper coached goaltenders for the Ohio State University women's team.

"We're excited Karel has decided to join the Steel," said Garman. "He has a holistic approach and brings a unique and diverse skill set that will continue to enhance our player and goalie development. Popper will contribute to all areas of coaching while primarily developing our goalies."

In addition to his experience at the NCAA Division 1 level, Popper, a Maineville, Ohio native, was the Minnesota Magicians (NAHL) goalie coach during the 2019-2020 season and has served for four years as director with MEGA goaltending out of Minneapolis, Minn.

"I'm excited and honored to be joining the Chicago Steel family," said Popper. "I'm looking forward to working alongside a talented group of coaches, players and staff. We share a common goal in continuing the success and development of the Chicago Steel and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of the process and growth of the next generation of Steel players."

Season Ticket Plans for the Clark Cup Champion Chicago Steel are on sale now by calling 855-51-STEEL or emailing info@ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com. Group tickets and experiences are also on sale for the 2021-2022 season.

For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

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