Brett Way
Lead Instructor
Born in Lansing, MI, Brett grew up playing in the Flint Icelanders and West Michigan Warriors organizations, and finished his youth hockey career by scoring the Midget A State Championship game winning goal for the Lansing Capitals.
After graduating from Grand Ledge High School, Brett spent two years playing for the Green Mountain Glades of the EJHL, where he was named Assistant Captain and earned team leading scorer and most improved player awards. In his final year, Brett joined the Hawkesbury Hawks of the CCHL in Hawkesbury, Ontario under Memorial Cup winning and current AHL coach Eric Veilliux. While with the Hawks, Brett helped the team to league and regional championships (selected championship game MVP), before falling to the eventual champions in the Royal Bank Cup semifinals.
After juniors, Brett played 4 years at Augsburg College in the MIAC, where he was voted team Rookie of the Year and served as Assistant Captain in his junior and senior years. Brett made the Dean's list and graduated in 2009 with a Major in Business Administration and a Minor in Information Systems.
After graduating, Brett has continued coaching and teaching the game he loves and has worked with hundreds of players from mites to college looking to improve and get to the next level. His coaching experience includes: 9 years as lead instructor with Laura Stamm Power Skating; 1 year with the Lumberyard Hockey Training; Assistant Coach for the National Finalist Twin Cities Northern Lights; Assistant Coach for the Stillwater Bantam A; and 2 years with Northern Educate Academy. Brett has been working with the MAP and FHIT programs for 3 years.
Steve Cherekos
Director of Strength and Conditioning
Steve Cherekos grew up in the Osseo school district where he excelled in both hockey and lacrosse. Steve battled many injuries that hindered his performance at the time. These injuries also served as great motivation and directed his passion for health, nutrition and injury prevention through strength training.
After high school, Steve attended St. John's University where he played lacrosse and served as a strength and conditioning assistant coach with the College of Saint Benedict. Steve graduated in 2012 with a degree in Nutrition and Exercise Science. He then continued his education at the University of Minnesota, where he earned his Master's degree in Applied Kinesiology.
During his time as a Strength and Conditioning coach Steve has had the opportunity to work with a variety of athletes and coaching staffs, including the United Health Care Professional Cycling Team and the University of Minnesota men and women's hockey teams, under world renowned strength coach Cal Dietz.
In 2013, Steve took over as the Director of Strength and Conditioning at FHIT North Campus where he has successfully written and implemented a wide variety of dynamic programs for athletes of all ages and skill levels. Steve shares all things strength and conditioning on his website, Tomorrow's Athlete.
