Coach Nethers was born in Clare, Michigan February 9, 1989.

 

His older brother inspired his hockey career and competitive drive.

 

He spent many years as a young athlete playing competitive hockey in the Little Caesars division.

 

When he turned 16 his family moved from Central Michigan to Upstate New York where he fell in love with the area. He attended IHC for one year but was ineligible to play High School hockey. He then finished his education through Odyssey Academy before finding himself playing Junior Hockey in Canada until he was 19 years old. Chris then turned his focus onto his career to be an Entrepreneur. He was blessed to find his life partner and wife Mercedes Nethers and have four beautiful children together.

 

Chris started coaching in the Learn to Skate program with the YMCA in October of 2011. He then had the opportunity to coach for the Watertown Hockey Association by the help of Joshua VanBrocklin, also an IHC alumni. His passion for coaching hockey grew quickly as he served as a Head Coach for many years with various hockey organizations such as PPS Hockey Academy, Unity Hockey Club, IHA development program, WHA Hockey program and IHC Varsity program.

 

Coach Nethers served two years under the leadership of Coach Roberts as the Offensive Coordinator before Coach Nethers inherited the full program in 2023. AD Kurt Robbins hired Coach Nethers and his staff holding them accountable that they would deliver the IHC values throughout the team and the program. 

 

Coach Nethers is proud that they have carried out these values by putting God first in the program.

 

Coach Nethers plans to serve IHC into the future as he focuses on a “team first” philosophy.