Detroit Lakes High School Hockey: Coaches

Coach Chris Denardo is entering his fourth season with the Lakers hockey program.  He hopes to build on a 16-10-1 season last year and contend for another conference title and hopefully a section title. 

Coach Denardo grew up in Coon Rapids, MN where he played his youth and high school hockey.  After high school he had stints in the MJHL, the USHL and played Division III hockey as well.  Coach Denardo was able to take part in a junior national tournament while playing junior hockey.

After his playing days ended Chris started coaching in the Coon Rapids and Blaine youth hockey programs.  While coaching in Blaine Coach Denardo was on the A bantam staff and also coached the Bengals JV team for three seasons from 1997-2000 compiling a 55-7-4 record.  During this time he also got to take part in the Bengals State Tournament teams in 1999 and 2000 (State Champs).  In addition to coaching in Blaine he was also a coach for the District 10 Seclect 15 teams from 1995-1999 winning the Select 15 festival in 1996 and 1997.   

Coach Denardo took over the Monticello-Annandale-Maple Lake High School program where he had been for 8 seasons.  During his time he helped build the programs into contenders at the both the youth and high school levels.  His Stars' teams broke ALL high school program records the past four seasons and he left the program on the rise.  His teams compiled a  36-36-7 record over his last three seasons and a 28-11-3 record in their home arena. 

Coach Denardo hopes to bring his experience, intensity and love of the game to the Laker program and build this program into a state contender.   Chris works for J&k Marine and is married to wife Amy and has two sons, Dominic (9) and Eli (7).

Coach Matt Wimmer has been in Detroit Lakes his whole life, playing football, hockey and baseball throughout high school.  After high school Matt attended Rainy River Community College in International Falls for two years playing hockey for the Voyageurs.  He was able to take part in a national tournament while playing for Rainy River. 

Coach Wimmer has coached at all levels of the DL hockey program from mites to high school.  He is now in his second stint with the high school program and looks forward to working with the players and helping build the program into a winner. 

Coach Wimmer lives in DL and currently works for Counselor Realty.  He is married to wife Jodi and has two sons, Tristan (12) and Critter (8).

This will be Coach Corey Hanson's fourth season with the Laker program.  Coach Hanson will be working with the teams goaltenders and coaching the JV team.  Corey will also be working with the goaltenders in the Lakers youth hockey program as well. 

Coach Hanson grew up and played High School hockey in Willmar, MN.  After high school he attended USF in Sioux Falls, SD where he played golf and worked with the Sioux Falls youth hockey program coaching the goaltenders at all levels.  Coach Hanson brought the JV team to a 10-10-2 record last season and hopes to have another great season in 2011-12. 

Coach Hanson resides in Detroit Lakes with his wife Hannah and teaches at Roosevelt Elementary.  

Coach Piepkorn is entering his third season with the Lakers Boys program.  Pep serves as the JV team assistant coach and assists with the varsity as well.

Pep hails from Moorhead, MN where he started coaching at the youth level and moving to the HS level in the early 80's.  Pep moved to Apple Valley in the mid 80's where he coached at the Midget and Bantam levels and then assisted with the HS program.  Pep was able to start a Junior Gold program in 1989 before moving back to the area to concentrate on his business. 

Pep currently resides in Detroit Lakes and owns Pep's Lawn service