Steven W. Cromie

Head Coach

Cromie's ice hockey coaching experience includes six years as head coach for the midget major team at the Redwings Hockey Organization, which is based in Barrington, Illinois and participates in the Northern Illinois Hockey League (NIHL). Cromie also serves as Hockey Director for the Redwings program. Cromie's midget major team finished the 2004-2005 season with an overall season record of 54-9-9, winning the NIHL league championship with a league play record of 23-0-5.

Cromie's coaching reputation is one of helping players improve all levels of their game, and helping players advance to the next level of hockey appropriate to them. In his six years with the Redwings, Cromie has advanced over 50 players to various levels of AAA, Junior and college hockey.

Prior to joining the Redwings' program, Cromie's held a number of high level positions with a variety of hockey programs including Can/Am Hockey Group, Peoria Mustangs Junior B, USA Select Team, Chicago Freeze Junior A, Huron Hockey, Chicago Young Americans AAA, Planet Hockey, Midwest Elite Hockey School, among others, and has also been a personal trainer.
Cromie holds a Bachelor of Science in physical education with a concentration in exercise science and a minor in communications from Iowa State University. He represented Iowa State in ice hockey and football (Big 8 Conference) from 1983 to 1987. He played Senior A hockey for the four-time National Champion Chicago Chargers and professional hockey in the All-American, East Coast and Pacific Coast Leagues. Cromie was also a member of the 1987 Minnesota Vikings Football strike replacement team in 1987. Cromie is a 1982 graduate of Oak Park River Forest High School.

Cromie is excited about his new role as Head Coach for NIU's program, saying, "My goal is to create a program where kids are focused on their education, while making the Huskies hockey program one of the reasons that student athletes choose Northern Illinois University. I want kids to want to come here to play." Cromie's appointment as Head Coach was effective July 30, 2005.

Personal Life: Steve Cromie lives in Streamwood, Illinois with his wife, Lori and two sons, Colin and Brendan. Cromie will continue with the Redwings Hockey Organization as Hockey Director.

Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education with a concentration in exercise science and a minor in communications at Iowa State University (1987 graduate).

Hockey Experience

1999 to 2004:
Red Wings Hockey, Barrington, IL. Head Coach Midget AA. Program Director, over seeing the development of two Midget teams and working with the Red Wings and to provide a hockey curriculum for each level and over see the development of each team.

1988 to Present:
Can/Am Hockey Group, Chicago, IL. Supervise youth and Adult tournaments nationwide, instruct hockey strategies and tactics, assisted in planning, Organizing, Promoting, and recruiting for hockey camps

2002 to 2004:
Peoria Mustangs Jr. B, Director of Chicago camps.

2000 to 2001:
USA Select Team, Asst Coach for the Select team Festival in St Cloud Minn.

1997 to 1999:
Chicago Freeze, Jr A, North American Hockey League, Geneva, IL. Assistant Coach, strength and conditioning coordinator, assisted in recruiting nationwide.
Huron Hockey, Geneva, IL. Created and developed the Chicago Amateur Freeze, was in charge of scheduling, budgets, team selections, and training the coaching staffs.

1997 to 1998:
Chicago Young Americans. AAA Major Midget Team Coach.

1997 to 1998:
Planet Hockey, Portland, Oregon; Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Head Instructor.

1994 to 1995:
Midwest Elite Hockey School, Chicago, IL. Head Instructor.

1993 to 1997:
Saddle & Cycle Club, Chicago, IL. Head Coach, Head Instructor.

1990 to 1992:
High School Hockey, Chicago, IL Glen brook South H.S. and York H.S.

1987 to 1999:
Kevin Mann Hockey, Chicago, IL. Taught and coached hockey strategies to all ages.
Coached the Chicago Spirit Hockey Team on a European Tour.

Athletics Experience

Professional:
Football, Minnesota Vikings. Strike replacement team (1987).
Hockey, All American, East Coast and Pacific Coast Leagues (1987-89).

Senior A:
Hockey, Chicago Chargers (1989-94), Four time National Champions.

College: 
Football, Iowa State University, Big 8 Conference.
Hockey, ISU Cyclones (1983-87).