STAFF
Coaching Staff
Ryan Taylor - Founder/Head Player Development/Hockey Operations
Ryan Taylor is one of the most widely respected coaches in the hockey community with over 20 years of experience in developing players of all ages from all over North America.
Currently, Ryan Taylor is the General Manager of Hockey Operations at the Chicago Reapers, Mount Prospect, Illinois. Taylor also head coaches the 2013 SQUIRT MAJOR REAPERS and the 2010 BANTAM MINOR REAPERS. Ryan Taylor was awarded Illinois Youth Hockey Coach of the Year by AHAI in 2019.
Prior to joining the Reapers and starting up NSHDA, Ryan Taylor was the Hockey Director/Coach of Highland Park Falcons for 10 years and prior to the Falcons, Director of Bauer Selects and Assistant Hockey Director/Coach at Chicago Mission for 4 years. Taylors first stop was Chicago Young Americans Director/Coach for 7 years.
Originally from Burlington, Ontario, Canada, Ryan grew up playing for the Burlington City Reps, AAA Hockey Organization. After Bantam Major, Ryan made the jump to the Ontario Juniors Hockey League (OJHL) where he played for the Burlington Cougars for two seasons. Ryan played his collegiate hockey at Lake Forest College in Illinois and was coached by Tony Fritz. He shined and was named Captain for two years and earned the “Peter G. Taylor Award” in 1997-98. This award is for the most outstanding talent, leadership and love for the game to which best exemplifies the qualities of the player for whom it is named. Ryan currently lives in Lake Forest, IL, with his five beautiful young children that all love and play hockey.
Kyle Calder - Player Development/Head Coach
Kyle has been involved in youth hockey for the past 10 years after retiring from a 13 year NHL Career with the Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks.
An Alberta Native, Calder played in the WHL for the Regina Pats and Kamloops Blazers representing Canada at the World Junior Championships. He also represented Canada 4 times at the World Championships winning a Gold medal. He served as the assistant captain with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Calder has dedicated his time to growing the game of hockey. In addition to multiple state and district championships, he helped the LA Junior Kings bring home the prestigious Pee Wee Quebec Tournament Championship as well as 14UAAA & 15UAAA berths to Nationals.
His goal is to help kids understand the game on and off the ice. He wants the young players he coaches to develop a passion and love for the game of hockey and help them fulfill their dreams of having a career in hockey.
Coach Calder coaches the 2012 Chicago Reapers.
Jan Hejda - Player Development/Head Coach
Coach Jan Hejda, brings a wealth of knowledge as a former NHL defenseman and over 10 years of coaching/developing at the Tier 1 and High school levels. Coach Jan learned from some of the best coaches in Europe and North America over his 11year pro career. The pro pedigree and experience at the youth level gives Coach Jan the tools to develop defensemen of all levels.
Coach Jan will be with the 2010 Chicago Reapers Bantam Majors next season.
BRETT LEBDA - Player Development
Brett Lebda is currently Midget Director for Chicago Reapers. Lebda also coaches the U16 and U18 Reapers.
Brett Lebda is from Buffalo Grove, IL and grew up playing hockey in the Chicagoland area. He was selected to play for the United States National Development Program in 1998 where he played for two years. From there he attended and played for the Fighting Irish at the University of Notre Dame from 2000-2004. After helping the Irish make the NCAA tournament in 2004 for the first time in the modern era he was signed by the Detroit Red Wings as an undrafted free agent. He played his first NHL game at the start of the 2005-2006 season. A veteran of 398 NHL games he saw stints with the Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Columbus Blue Jackets and won a Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2008.