Russell Barone - Owner/Lead Instructor

Russ has traveled the Youth, NA3HL, NAHL and NCAA College Hockey path. Russ began playing organized hockey at the age of 5. From that point on, he played for a number of youth organizations including the Romeoville Huskies (CSDHL AA), Orland Park Vikings, Chicago Fury (Tier 1 elite league AAA), and the Chicago Hawks (CSDHL AA).

After youth hockey, he continued on to play three years of junior hockey in Minnesota and Wisconsin. After his last year of junior hockey, he committed to play NCAA Hockey for the Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties in St. Peter, Minnesota. Outside of his playing career, he is a proud graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College with a Bachelors in Exercise Physiology. In addition to his Gustavus Education, he is also a certified trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

From 2020 – 2021 he worked at Gilmour Academy as the Lancers U16/Prep assistant/skills coach/strength coach. During the 2021 season, he worked for the Odessa Jackalopes of the NAHL as an assistant coach/strength coach. During the 2022 - 2023season, Russ was the assistant coach for Minnesota’s Breck High School varsity program. Russ will be an assistant/skills/strength coach for the Minnesota Blue Ox in the USPHL Premier league, and will be returning to Breck with an identical role this season.
In addition to training hockey players, Russ works with people of all walks of life on their fitness goals. Russ creates online programs, and does in person training for anyone seeking to improve their fitness and/or overall physiological wellness.

Certifications:

- Bachelors in Exercise Physiology
- NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) Certified Trainer Qualifications/Experience:
- NCAA playing experience
- Junior A playing experience
- Former Gilmour Academy - Skills Assistant/Skills/Strength and Conditioning Coach.
- Former NAHL Odessa Jackalopes Assistant Coach/Strength Coach
- 6+ years of Youth, High-school, and Junior Hockey Skills coaching experience.
- Current Breck High-school Assistant/Skills/Strength Coach
- Current Minnesota Blue Ox Assistant/Skills/Strength Coach
- 2+ years of General Population Personal Training