Mike Szkodzinski led Notre Dame Academy (NDA) to the 2024 WIAA D-1 Championship in his first season as head coach of NDA. NDA defeated Brookfield 3-1 in the state championship game. Senior Joseph Coghlin scored one goal and had two assists, and senior goalie Lleyton Jaschke stopped 17 of 18 shots in the win over Brookfield.

Mike Szkodzinski became NDA’s head coach after longtime NDA head coach Cory McCracken accepted a coaching job at Minnesota State. Szkodzinski arrived at NDA after coaching college for two decades, and this experience allowed him to seamlessly jump into his leadership role at NDA.

Szkodzinski’s first win was retaining NDA’s exceptional assistant coaches. The NDA coaching staff did a spectacular job during the 2023/24 season. From mid-season to the state tournament NDA drastically improved. In late December I watched NDA play three consecutive games. On December 29, 2023, I watched NDA lose in a lopsided game to Chippewa Falls.

Fast forward to the WIAA playoffs and NDA never trailed in a game from the first regional game through the state championship. At WIAA State NDA looked like a different team than I watched two months earlier. They were a finely tuned machine with players working in unison.

“Last year was pivotal for all the returning players as we received Coach Szkodzinski as our new head coach. Coach Szkodzinski fully understood that and worked with us to make sure we were comfortable with him. He recognized it was a huge change for us and that understanding is what helped grow our team’s brotherhood, which is critical for state championship teams.” Nathan Antti, Senior Captain

Let’s meet Mike Szkodzinski!

What memories stand out about the 2024 WIAA championship team? The looks on the guys’ faces, especially the senior class. The transition to a new coach is difficult but the seniors handled it extremely well. Cory (McCracken) had been there 16 years, so it was a change, but the seniors did a great job!

Was there a turning point in the season? We got healthy in the second half of the year, Sil Mirao and Jimmy Guinn (assistant coaches) did a great job behind the scenes.

Where did you coach before Notre Dame Academy? Lawrence University for 16 years as head coach, two years at St. Norbert, two years at Findley, and one season at UW Eau Claire. I was an assistant coach for the World University Games that were held at Lake Placid two years ago. I was an assistant with Mark Taylor of Hobart and Matt Loen of UW Eau Claire. Jack Ceglarski from Middlebury was the head coach. It was a heck of an experience!

What motivated you to leave college coaching to take over at Notre Dame Academy? I felt like I had done everything I could do at Lawrence. I took a job at Cornerstone as the assistant GM, so when Cory McCracken left it felt like a perfect fit.

What are the similarities and differences between coaching college and high school? Systematically it is similar. The biggest challenge is influencing teenagers. Understanding what a kid is going through from freshman to senior year.

What motivated you to become a coach? When I look back at my freshman year media guide at Ferris State it said likely to become a coach. As a coach you have the ability to influence people and help them grow.

Who were your coaching mentors? Tim Coghlin at St. Norbert impacted me in life not just hockey. He taught me to take everything in context, get all the facts before you make strong decisions. Bob Daniels at Ferris State and Marlin Muylaert at UW Eau Claire.

What habits of your mentors do you try to emulate as a coach? Consistent professionalism. Building relationships with players. The relationship gains trust and that is the foundation.

Where did you grow up? I was born in Detroit but graduated from Brighton HS.

Notre Dame played Brighton HS this season during the trip to Michigan? Yes, we did!

What sports did you play in high school? Baseball, golf and hockey.

How did you end up in Wisconsin? I visited several schools, and St. Norbert was a perfect fit. Been here ever since.

What do you enjoy doing outside of hockey? I spend time with my family. I have four children. During the off-season I spend time with them and my wife.

What advice do you have for a high school player that wants to play at a higher level? You need to be coachable and consistent. Doing extra work off the ice is just as important as the work on the ice.

Congratulations to the 2024 NDA championship team, and best wishes to NDA at the 2025 WIAA D-1 State Tournament!

Yours for hockey,

Matt Carey