With over 20 years in the field, Michele Trueblood is a veteran educator specializing in Special Education and is a licensed Director of Special Education. As a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) holding a Master’s in Special Education and an advanced certificate in school leadership, Michele brings decades of deep, hands-on experience with federal education laws, IEP implementation, and 504 compliance.

For the Danville Iron, Michele serves as the primary compliance architect—auditing transcripts, navigating complex eligibility guidelines, and ensuring that academic support, testing accommodations, and college-clearinghouse requirements are managed with the precise care and expertise of a seasoned district leader.

With over 15 years of experience in education and a Master’s in Instructional Design, Matthew specializes in building scaffolded, high-utility learning environments. A Canvas Certified Educator, he is dedicated to integrating a player’s hockey and academic ambitions, ensuring that the demands of junior hockey serve as a catalyst for educational success rather than a distraction. Matthew’s technical expertise ensures every Iron player is positioned for collegiate-level achievement through optimized, professionalized academic pathways.

Bo Cheesman brings over 35 years of elite hockey experience to the Danville Iron — as a player, coach, skills instructor, and trainer. He played professional hockey for seven seasons in the AHL and ECHL, and earned an NCAA Division I scholarship to Lake Superior State University, where he took on a leadership role for two of his four years. Bo’s passion for the game and deep knowledge of player development make him an invaluable resource for any junior player looking to take their game to the next level. Beyond the rink, Bo is the founder of The Lab, central Illinois’ premier off-ice hockey training facility. He is joined by his wife Julie and their two children, Callie and Reilly.

Coach Steve Somerfield joins the Danville Iron with a mission to develop, challenge, and elevate every player in the program. A Chicago-area native, he played juniors with the Cleveland Lumberjacks, Grand Rapids Owls, and Marquette Rangers before going on to play college hockey at Central Oklahoma and Illinois State University. He capped his playing career with the Bloomington Blaze (CHL) and the Peoria Rivermen (AHL). Coach Steve’s background extends well beyond the ice. He holds 22 years of goaltending coaching experience with organizations including Bloomington Youth Hockey, ISU, and Decatur Blaze AAA, and is the founder of Defiance Goaltending Academy. His strength and conditioning expertise was shaped through internships at Illinois State University and Warbird Strength Training under Dan Blewett — a protégé of renowned hockey performance coach Mike Boyle. A licensed firefighter and paramedic, Coach Steve brings a rare combination of elite athletic training and real-world mental toughness to the Iron’s culture.

Matt Benton is a proven winner — literally. As a player in the GLJHL with the Danville Inferno and Illinois Frontenacs, he was a key contributor to a GLJHL Championship. He went on to play college hockey at Robert Morris University Chicago before joining the Danville Dashers of the FHL. Now channeling that championship mentality into scouting, Matt brings over 15 years of coaching and skills development experience at the high school and Central States level across Illinois. He is also the founder of Puck Star Hockey. When it comes to identifying the next wave of Danville Iron players, Matt knows exactly what it takes to compete — and win.

Rob comes to us with over 40 years experience in hockey. His teams won 5 national championships at the youth level and one at the jr level and college level and league championships at the pro level. Known for his keen eye for talent and ability to develop players, he is excited to be with our program. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife Kim at their house in Mexico. Five players that Rob coached made the NHL. The Iron are excited to have Rob on board

Jack Collins is a Chicagoland native with a résumé that spans the college, professional, and development levels of hockey. He played NCAA at Becker College in Worcester, Massachusetts, and during his time there joined the front office of the Worcester Sharks — the AHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks — gaining valuable insight into professional player evaluation. After returning to Illinois, Jack spent five years coaching alongside legendary instructor Rocky Saganiuk, followed by several seasons working with Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame coach and 10-year NHL veteran Brian Noonan at Naperville North. His network and eye for talent make him a critical asset in building the Iron’s roster.

Michael Natoli has been competing at a high level his entire life — 18 years of hockey spanning youth programs with the Bloomington Thunder and Peoria Jr. Rivermen (CSDHL), two seasons of juniors with the Peoria Mustangs (NA3HL), and collegiate play with the Illinois State Redbirds D1 Men’s ACHA team. That on-ice experience gives him a direct understanding of what young players need to bridge the gap between youth hockey and the junior ranks. As the lead developer at The Lab in Bloomington, Michael has built a reputation for getting results with young athletes. The Danville Iron are committed to ensuring no player is left behind — and Michael is the engine behind that promise.