COACHING STAFF

SCOTT MATTHEWS

Coach Matthews brings decades of elite playing and coaching experience to the Naperville Hockey Club. As a youth, Scott played for the Chicago Young Americans, Team Illinois, and Naperville Central High School before being drafted into both the OHL and USHL. He advanced his playing career in Canada with the Cornwall Royals of the Ontario Hockey League and the Central Ontario Hockey League.

A USA Hockey Level 5 certified coach with nearly 30 years of experience, Scott’s coaching career is defined by championship success and leadership. He previously served as Varsity Head Coach at Waubonsie Valley High School and spent nine years with the Chicago Hawks, where he led multiple Central States teams and guided the 10U and 12U girls' teams to State Championship titles. An expert in player development, he has also spearheaded skills programs for the Naperville Sabres and Chicago Hawks.

In 2023, Scott founded the Naperville Hockey Club’s Hockey Board and now serves as Hockey Director and Varsity Head Coach. His coaching philosophy emphasizes structured play, high on-ice IQ, and character-based leadership, ensuring a high standard of development for every athlete in the program.

COACH MATTHEWS

IAN O'REAR

The Naperville Hockey Club welcomed Ian O’Rear for the 2024–25 season, bringing over 25 years of expertise in coaching and elite skill development. A USA Hockey Level 4 certified coach, Ian is a dedicated mentor with a proven track record of preparing athletes for the highest levels of competition.

Ian’s coaching philosophy is forged from a distinguished playing career. A Midget-level National Champion, he was drafted at age 16 by the Voisons De Laval of Quebec's Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) where he played with Mario Lemieux. His talents then led him to play for three years in the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires where he was acquired by the Washington Capitals organization for two seasons. Over his entire career Ian had the great fortune to be teammates with Pat Lafontaine, Paul Maurice, Al Lafrate, Kevin Hatcher, Adam Graves, and many others.

Throughout his coaching career, Ian has successfully led teams at the AAA and club levels before moving into the high school ranks. As an authority on player development, he founded his own skills development enterprise and has designed high-impact workshops across all youth levels. His commitment to technical mastery and on-ice intelligence ensures that our Junior Varsity athletes can advance to Varsity level play equipped for long-term success.

COACH O'REAR