Front Office

Ian Kalanges

General Manager

This will be Ian’s eleventh year as General Manager and sixteenth year with NIU Hockey. Ian is the former MACHA Board President along and ACHA Central Region Rankings Committee member. Ian’s marketing strategies have helped raise the NIU DII teams’ attendances to over 400 people per game and giving NIU one of the best game atmospheres in all of the ACHA. Ian grew up in the Chicagoland area playing youth hockey for the Crystal Lake Leafs, Barrington RedWings, and Crystal Lake South Gators. Ian went on to attend NIU and played for their DII team. Ian graduated from NIU in 2009 with a Bachelors’ in Corporate Communications. During his time at NIU, he served as the NIU Ice Hockey Club president for three years. Outside of NIU Hockey, Ian has worked for the Phoenix Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks, Rockford IceHogs, and Chicago Bandits in various sales and team operation roles. Ian recently attended grad school at NIU and graduated in 2012 with a Masters’ in Sport Management. Ian currently resides in Woodstock, IL with his fiance’ Amanda and their daughter Scarlett.

Chuck Rinaldo

Director of Hockey Operations

This will be Chuck’s second year as Director of Hockey Operations and eigth year with NIU Hockey. Chuck was named MACHA Gold Coach of the Year in the 2012-2013 and 2014-2015 seasons. He also has led the Huskies to their only two ACHA Central Regional berths in 2012-2013 and 2014-2015. Chuck grew up in the Washington DC area playing youth hockey for the Washington Little Capitals AAA organization. He then left home during his high school years to play varsity hockey at Lawrence Academy prep school in Groton, MA. Chuck went on to attend Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL where he played for their NCAA DIII program. He graduated from LFC in 2000 with a Bachelors’ in Business and Communications. Chuck has been coaching youth and high school hockey for the past 13 years in Illinois and he spent his last 6 years, prior to NIU, as the Varsity Head Coach and Director of Deerfield High School Hockey in Deerfield, IL. During his time at Deerfield, his team won two White Division State Championships and a Founders Cup Metro League Championship. Chuck currently resides in Bartlett, IL with his wife and two daughters.