Five Things to Know about Coach Rourke
Growing up in Canada, it’s often said that you learn to skate before you learn to walk — and for Erin Rourke, that couldn’t be truer.
Coach Erin first laced up her skates at just two years old and has been immersed in the game ever since. Today, as a leader within the Chicago Mission AAA Youth Hockey Club, she continues to give back to the sport that has shaped her life in countless ways.
1. She’s Spent Her Life in the Game
Coach Erin grew up in Pickering, Ontario, and began skating at the age of two. She played boys’ hockey until age 14 before joining the Scarborough Girls Hockey Association, later moving on to play for the Toronto Aeros and the Durham Lightning.
In 2003, Erin represented Team Canada at the Roller Hockey World Championship Tournament in Pisek, Czech Republic, where her team earned a silver medal after falling to Team USA in the finals. A talented center and natural leader, she also captained the Toronto Aeros during her playing career. Growing up, her favorite players were NHL legends Doug Gilmour and Mario Lemieux — both known for their grit, vision, and leadership on the ice.
2. Hockey Runs in Her Family
Hockey isn’t just Erin’s career — it’s a family affair. Her husband, Jeff, also hails from Pickering, and the two met in high school before marrying in 2002. Shortly after, they moved to the United States, where Erin began her long coaching career.
Jeff now serves as one of Erin’s assistant coaches with the Chicago Mission 19U girls’ team. She values having him behind the bench, noting, “I love getting his perspective on the game because he sees things differently.” Together, they have two sons: Matthew, 20, a sophomore at Iowa State University, and Jack, 18, a senior at Oswego East High School who currently plays for his school’s hockey team.
3. She Has Decades of Coaching Experience
Erin began her coaching journey in 1997 while still playing for the Toronto Aeros Senior Team. When the organization launched a girls’ junior program, she was asked to help coach — and she eagerly accepted the challenge.
In 2003, she became the director of the Darien Huskies girls’ program. Five years later, she joined the Chicago Mission AAA Hockey Club, where she has been ever since. Over her many years with the Mission, Erin has coached nearly every age group and has dedicated herself to helping young athletes grow, both on and off the ice.
4. She Believes Hockey Teaches Life Lessons
For Coach Erin, hockey is about much more than goals and games — it’s about shaping character. “It’s a great avenue for teaching kids how to hold themselves accountable and to focus on the little things,” she says. Erin believes strongly that “good things come to those who work,” and she instills that philosophy in every player she coaches. Her approach to the game emphasizes discipline, teamwork, and perseverance — lessons that her players carry far beyond the rink.
5. The Mission and Rosemont Ice Arena Are Home
Today, as co-director of the Chicago Mission Girls’ Program, Erin plays a vital role in shaping the next generation of elite female athletes. Over the years, she’s coached every age group within the program and continues to step in wherever she’s needed most.
Erin is especially excited about the Mission’s new chapter at their home rink, the Rosemont Ice Arena. “The girls are treated like royalty,” she says. “The facility is amazing, and the location is great for families and visiting teams.”
For Coach Erin Rourke, hockey isn’t just a game — it’s a lifelong passion, a family bond, and a platform for empowering young women to reach their fullest potential.