Head Coach: Dan Riedel

​

Dan grew up in Rochester Hills, Michigan and played his minor hockey in Detroit. He then moved on to play junior hockey for the Springfield Jr. Blues of the NAHL, capturing the NAHL Rookie of the Year in 2002-2003 while finishing 3rd in league scoring with 67 points.  Moving on to the Lincoln Stars of the USHL he was a First Team All-Star, Forward of the Year, and won the 2004-05 USHL Scoring Title.  Dan played two years at Ferris State in the CCHA and was honored as All-Rookie Team CCHA First team member in 2005-06.  Dan played professionally for 5 years and amassed 164 points in 245 games. 

 

Dan is entering his seventh year as a head coach in the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies organization. Dan has a record of 263-99-24 with National Championship tournament appearances in 2017, 2018, and 2019. In his time with the Grizzlies, his teams have placed 40 players in the USHL Draft, 17 in the OHL draft, 40 players have committed to Division 1 scholarships, Six players have made USNTDP, and two players have been selected in the National Hockey League draft. (Halverson 2014 2nd NYR, Norris 2017 1st SJS) 

Dan is also the Director of Player Personnel for the Cedar Rapids Rough Riders of the USHL.  He graduated from Ferris State University with his Bachelors in Science, and currently lives in Royal Oak with his wife Sadie and their daughter Avery and son Braeden.  

​

​

​

Assistant Coach - Chris Lepkowski 

 

Chris Lepkowski joins the Grizzlies staff this season with over 20 years of experience.  Chris has coached high school hockey in the state of Ohio for St. Edward and St. Ignatius High Schools.  In the nine years of coaching high school hockey the teams won five State Championships.  He continued his coaching career with the Cleveland Barons Midget AAA team for two seasons before moving on to a scouting career with the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) where he was part of the staff that selected future NHL players T.J. Oshie and Joe Vitale. After two seasons Chris was offered to join the USA National Team Development Program as their Assistant Director of Player Personnel.  Following three successful seasons at the NTDP Chris joined Points West Sports and Entertainment where he works as a player agent and advisor.  While working for Points West Chris has also put his coaching hat back on where he was part of the 2009 National Championship Team (Compuware U16.)  Chris most recently was part of the Victory Honda U16 coaching staff that was the USA Hockey National Championship Runner- Up (2016).  Chris is married to Kelly and lives in Plymouth, MI

​

​

​

Assistant Coach - Craig Wolanin 

 

Born and raised in the metro Detroit area. Attended De La Salle Collegiate.   

 From Compuware Midget Major, he was first round draft pick in the 1984 Ontario Hockey League draft to the Kitchener Rangers. Chosen in the first round, 3rd overall, by the New Jersey Devils in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. Drafted at 17 years and 344 days old. Second youngest defenseman in NHL history to record a game-winner at 18 years, 135 days.  Played for New Jersey, Quebec, Colorado, Tampa Bay, and Toronto.

Represented Team USA 4 times in International competition –  World Championships 1987, 1991, and 1994. Silver medalist in the 1991 Canada Cup.  Wolanin was a member of the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in 1996.

​

​

Skills Coach - Sean Clark