Editor's Note: The article is a release from the BMO Harris Bank.
Bolingbrook resident Craig Porazinski was recently named December's BMO Harris Bank Coach of the Month.
As part of BMO Harris Bank's sponsorship for the Chicago Blackhawks, a youth hockey player and coach are recognized each month of the regular season for their above and beyond accomplishments on and off the ice, in the classroom and in their community.
Porazinski, coach for the Naperville Sabres Girls Hockey team, was recognized along with BMO Harris Bank Player of the Month Jack Meyers of Lake Villa at the Jan. 24 Chicago Blackhawks game.
A lifetime hockey fan and player, Porazinski started giving back to the game when he was only 12 years old, helping at in-house practices with mites and "learn-to-skate" programs at Oakton Ice Arena in Park Ridge.
In college, Porazinski's team won back-to-back NCAA Div 3 National Championships at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, and later he went on to play his first professional game in the ECHL for the Greensboro Monarchs under Coach Jeff Brubaker.
Shortly after, Porazinski served as an assistant coach for several Team Illinois squads and was the defense coach for the 96/97 Midget AAA National Champion, Team Illinois squad and the 97/98 AAA National runner-up Team Illinois squad. He's also worked as assistant Coach for Central States Teams both at Glenview Stars and The Glen Ellyn Flames.
Porazinski's success and talent doesn't stop at the rink. He previously played bass guitar for American Idol Lee De Wyze before his time on Idol, and played bass for Lee's first album while touring with the bank for a couple years.
All three of Porazinski's daughters currently play hockey, one of which finished third at USA Hockey Girls Nationals in California last year with the U12 Sabre Girls squad.
Both Craig and Jack Meyers, BMO Harris Bank Player of the Month from Lake Villa, were recognized at the Jan. 24 Chicago Blackhawks game.