Blackhawks > Coaching
Ted Kroeten, Director of Coaching and Player Development
Our goal at Blackhawks is give our kids a solid grounding in basic skills that will free them to play with passion and creativity. The secret is hard work and lots of it. If we give kids a taste of this kind of play, they will fall in love with the game and it won't seem like work at all.
What are the basics of soccer? Passing, dribbling, ball control, movement. Also sacrifice, discipline, focus, working independently. It is not until players have mastered these fundamentals as individuals that they can start to contribute to the team by using their vision and skill to influence the game. We have structured our winter training program with this in mind.
Skill Builders is our winter developmental program for U10s and younger. We recognize that these young players are where our future lies, so the emphasis here is on fun and learning basic skills.
Master Training is offered during the winter to teams from U11 to U18. We have different teams, genders and age groups training together. There is a common theme, with coaches adapting the session to the appropriate level for their teams. The goal is to create a club spirit and sense of community.
Futsal is offered to every Blackhawks team during the winter. We have 32 hours of Futsal time each week. Our goal here is for skills to be applied repeatedly, under pressure and in a game-like situation. Here the kids learn their strengths and weaknesses and begin to discover the joys of influencing the game. Played in a gym with a smaller, less-lively ball, Futsal is a positive, skill-based, small-sided game that the kids love. Our immersion in Futsal is reflected in our development as a club. It's a big part of our future.
So often we want to skip over the basics and just get to the game. Unfortunately, without the fundamentals there really is very little play. To create something good, something better, we must first master the basics. To play with joy, we must practice with passion.
Viktor Adamscek, Assistant Director of Coaching
I am very excited to join the most prestigious and historically rich club in the Twin Cities. I hope that my passion and dedication for the game will help the club in its journey to become one of the best youth soccer clubs in the state and the country. I can't wait to get to know the players and parents and help them to experience the joy this game can offer.
I graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2005 and received a master's degree in sports management in March of 2007. I have been coaching soccer since 2001. I was the assistant varsity coach at Spring Lake Park High School (2004-2006, women) and head coach of Hopkins Hatari (2004-2006, U16-U18G) and Northern Lights (2007, U17B). Last year I joined the St. Olaf Women's coaching staff as the assistant coach.
Prior to 2001, I played professional soccer for MTK Hungary and Kecskemet F.C. I played for the Hungarian National Team between the ages U13-16. I collected a total of 26 international caps against teams, which included: Scotland, Russia, Italy, Cyprus, and Sweden. I am also a five time Youth Hungarian National Champion, and the winner of two Gothia Cups (1993, 1995) and one USA Cup (1997).
Nicole Lee, Assistant Director of Coaching
The Blackhawks have garnered a reputation over the years of not only producing brilliant soccer players, but also amazing individuals. I am honored to work with the St. Paul Blackhawks talented youth, and committed staff, and look forward to helping take the club to the next level. I am eager to share my passion and love for the most beautiful game on the planet!
As a youth I played soccer for the Minneapolis Kickers. I was a member of both the State ODP and Region II soccer teams from 1991-1997. Following my youth soccer experience I played for four years at the University of Minnesota where I currently rank third in career points, career goals, and points in a season. During my tenure with the gophers we won the Big Ten championship and qualified for the NCAA tournament all four years. I earned a B.A. in Marketing in Business and Industry. I am currently working on my master's degree in sports management at the University of Minnesota.
I began coaching in 1997 with the Alan Merrick Soccer Academy. Subsequently I coached for various clubs as well as high school varsity teams. I assisted with the U16 ODP team in 2001.
