Coaching Staff

Program Director - Varsity Gold Head Coach

Spencer Montgomery leads Saint Ignatius Varsity Gold in his third season as Hockey Director and Head Coach. This will be his ninth year with the program after serving as Varsity Associate Head Coach for 6 seasons. He is a Level 5 USA Hockey Coach and in addition to Saint Ignatius, Spencer has coached for the Chicago Blackhawks Brick Teams, Chicago Stallions, Portland Junior Pirates (ME), and Bedford Bears (NY). Spencer was named the 2023 Chicago Catholic Hockey League Coach of the Year and was voted to coach the All-State and CCHL All-Star Teams.

Spencer is a Partner and Director of Events at “The Barn”, Chicago’s first Original Six Hockey Bar located just down the road at Ogden & Adams. Spencer spent nine seasons working for the Chicago Blackhawks where he served as Manager, Adult and High School Hockey Development. Spencer was born and raised in Portland, Maine, and captained the Wheaton College (MA) ACHA hockey team. 

Varsity Gold Associate Head Coach

Jeff Rogers is in his sixth year with the Wolfpack and third as Varsity Associate Head Coach. Prior to joining the Wolfpack, Jeff spent two years as the JV Head Coach and Varsity Assistant at Hinsdale Central. Jeff grew up in Orland Park and played youth hockey locally -- AA hockey with the St. Jude Knights and Chicago Hawks and AAA hockey for Team Illinois. Jeff also played high school hockey at Marist High School where he was a 4-year varsity letterman and a senior captain. Following high school, Jeff played Division-III hockey at St. Norbert College in Green Bay, WI.

Jeff started his coaching career in 1994 as an Assistant Varsity coach with his alma mater. In his one year at Marist, Varsity won the Kennedy Cup Championship and finished second in state after falling to New Trier Green at the old Chicago Stadium. Jeff continued his coaching career with the Chicago Hawks organization where he coached his son Jack at the mite and squirt levels. Jeff is a Level 4 Certified USA Hockey Coach.

Jeff lives in Downers Grove with his wife Lynn, daughter Brigid, a Pediatric Intensive Care Nurse at Lurie Childrens Hospital and son Jack – a Junior at Saint Ignatius.

Varsity Gold Assistant Coach

Nick Ustaski rejoins the Saint Ignatius Wolfpack coaching staff as a Varsity Gold Assistant Coach and program advisor after living in Houston, Texas for the past four years. Nick has been involved with the program the past eight years serving as both a coach, mentor, and advisor to the Varsity and JV teams. Nick grew up in Glenview, Illinois and played youth hockey locally with the Glenview Stars program. Nick also played high school hockey at Lake Forest Academy prep school where he was a four-year varsity lettermen and captain. Following high school, Nick played NCAA Division-III hockey at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin and ACHA D-1 hockey at the University of Delaware. 

While at Delaware, Nick was the team captain, program leader and athletic representative to the school. He was also an academic All-American, second team all-league. Academically, Nick graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree with distinction in history and foreign languages and literature and received numerous awards. Nick then continued his education at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, graduating cum laude.

Nick, a 6th year practicing lawyer and attorney, lives in Chicago in the Lakeview/Lincoln Park neighborhood working for the law firm of Dykema Gossett PLLC’s Chicago office after four years at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP. Nick is also a Level 4 USA Certified USA Hockey coach.

Goaltending Coach

Oliver has been coaching goalies since 2007 after his own retirement. He spent four years as the Goaltending Director for the CSDHL Falcons Hockey Association. In his four seasons as a Director, he moved 19 goalies on to higher levels (Tier 1, Prep, Juniors) and had two goalies make the Chicago Brick team. He helped the Falcons win their first USA Hockey National Championship and finish as finalist two other times.

Oliver is currently in his first year as the Goaltending Development Coordinator for USA Hockey in Illinois to help grow goaltending in the State. His other coaching responsibilities include Serving as an assistant coach for the Chicago Mission Midget U15 (2006) and Bantam Minor (2008 teams). In his two years at the Mission, he had a goaltender move onto USA National Development Camp and helped the 2006 team reach the quarterfinals at Nationals in 2021. He helps various camps including the CCM Selects, CCM 68, and NSHDA.

His teaching philosophy is driven by building a strong detailed technical foundation and using situational examples based on his experience at the Minor Pro, Collegiate, and Junior level. He is keen on a relationship building approach to help teach the goalies as individuals and maximize their potential. Over the past five seasons in Chicago more than 10 of his private students have been selected to the Tier 1 level and various Junior levels including the OHL.

Oliver attended the University of Utah and achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in Strategic Communication. He played four years for the university’s club team and was regularly summoned to duty for the ECHL (AA level pro) Utah Grizzlies as their emergency backup and practice goaltender after his collegiate career concluded. He currently serves as an emergency backup for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Oliver is an avid sports and music fan who enjoys playing soccer and attending concerts when he is outside the rink. He is 34, originally from San Francisco, CA and grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. He currently resides in Chicago, IL.

Program Advisor & Assistant Coach

Ian Tallett returns to St. Ignatius for his third year as Varsity Gold Assistant Coach and Program Advisor. Growing up Ian played hockey and lacrosse in Massachusetts, New Jersey (Delbarton High School) and St. Louis (St. Louis Jr. Blues AAA). During high school Ian won 2 lacrosse state championships and was selected #5 overall in the USHL draft by the Chicago Steel, where he played in 05-06 earning a spot at the USHL All-star game and was recruited to Harvard University.  

At Harvard, Ian was a 4-year varsity letter-winner, 3-time ECAC all-academic selection and the 2008 recipient of the Donald Angier Trophy as the team’s most improved player.

Ian “went pro” at Morgan Stanley before rekindling his passion for hockey as captain of the Harvard Business School Blades during graduate school. Ian now works on strategic enterprise accounts and is the head of the Chicago office at Stripe; he lives in Lakeview with his wife Lauren and their daughters Addie and Lily.  

Varsity Maroon Head Coach

Michael Rigitano is in his seventh year with the Wolfpack and second as Varsity Maroon Head Coach. During his first and second year leading the JV team, the team finished in 1st place in the Chicago Catholic Hockey League (CCHL) and won back-to-back CCHL DiCristina Cup Championships. In addition to coaching the Wolfpack, Mike has coached for the Chicago Stallions and Franklin Park Panthers.

Mike is a Chicago area native having graduated from and played for Montini Catholic. Mike holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Teacher Licensure for Physical Education. Away from the rink Mike teaches middle school PE and Health at a school in the western suburbs. He is a Level 4 certified USA Hockey Coach and former intern in Fan Development/Youth Hockey for the Chicago Blackhawks. Mike also serves as a board member with Chicago Hockey Initiative (CHI).

Varsity Maroon Assistant Coach

Nick Santelli is entering his fourth year with the St. Ignatius Wolfpack and second as Varsity Maroon Assistant Coach. In his first two years with the Wolfpack during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons Nick helped lead the JV team to back-to-back CCHL DiCristina Cup Championships. He has been coaching since 2016 and has coached for the Franklin Park Panthers, Chicago Blackhawks hockey camps, Saint Ignatius College Prep, New Trier, Stevenson and the Northern Express CSDHL. Nick is a graduate of Maine South HS and Lewis University where he studied Sport Management and played four years of D-II club hockey. Before playing college hockey Nick played junior hockey for the Illiana Blackbirds of the MNJHL for one season.

Away from the rink Nick owns his own business, NS Sport Performance & Wellness. Prior to owning his business, he worked for the Chicago Blackhawks in youth hockey ticket sales and was with the Colorado Avalanche in ticket sales prior to that. He is a NASM certified personal & sport performance trainer and a Level 4 certified USA Hockey Coach.

Varsity Maroon Assistant Coach

Sean Markovitz is entering his second year with the Saint Ignatius Wolfpack coaching staff as a Varsity Maroon Assistant Coach, and fifth year coaching overall. Sean is a St. Louis native, he grew up playing hockey locally and spent four years playing varsity hockey at Eureka HS. He went on to play DIII club hockey at the University of Notre Dame while earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry. After graduating, Sean moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan where he served as an Assistant Varsity Coach for the Portage Muskies for three years. He is a Level 2 certified USA Hockey Coach. Off the ice, Sean is a Brand Analyst at Ferrara Candy Company.

Junior Varsity Head Coach

David Rutkowski is entering his first year with the Wolfpack coaching staff as our JV head coach. David began his coaching career in 2020 as an assistant coach for JV at Buffalo Grove, Hersey, Wheeling Hockey club for two years. Over the last two years, David has been involved with the OPRF Hockey club, serving as JV head coach and Varsity assistant.

David grew up in Park Ridge, Illinois and played youth hockey at various Central States travel clubs. During his senior year of high school, David became the assistant captain of the Chicago Bulldogs in NA3HL. Following high school, David played ACHA D-1, D-2 and D-3 hockey at Iowa State University Cyclones and was a runner up ACHA D-1 National Champion in 2019.

In 2020, David graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Finance. David resides in Chicago in the Bucktown neighborhood. He works for Harbor Capital Advisors as an internal wholesaler. In his free time, David continues to play hockey at Johnny’s Ice House, watching the Blackhawks and playing golf.

Junior Varsity Assistant Coach

Gregory Lewis is in his first year with the Wolfpack as an Assistant Coach with our Junior Varsity after spending the previous two seasons as the Junior Varsity Assistant Coach at St. Charles Prep in Columbus, OH. Last year’s team won the Capital District Hockey Regular season title and made it to the final four of the Varsity B/ Junior Varsity State Tournament. Prior to St. Charles Gregory coached six years of minor hockey in Central Ohio. A native of Pittsford, NY, Gregory played for several youth travel teams. He also played four years of Varsity hockey for Pittsford High School, serving as a team captain his senior year. Coach Lewis lives in Lincoln Park and retired from a career in the financial services industry.

Junior Varsity Assistant Coach

Jacob is in his second year with the Wolfpack. As an assistant coach with JV, he is helping underclassmen develop towards the ultimate goal of reaching the varsity level. Jacob graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a Bachelor’s in Environmental Sustainability and a Master’s in Data Science. He now works in the energy markets. Prior to his time in Colorado, Jake played goalie for the Latin Romans, CYA, and Chicago Bulldogs minor hockey programs.