About Coach Barry

Matt Barry leads Barry Hockey Development and works with players of all ages and skill levels throughout the Chicagoland area. His coaching is straightforward and focused on helping players understand the details of their game, build strong habits, and gain confidence through consistent improvement. He works with youth players learning fundamentals, middle school and high school athletes preparing for tryouts, and advanced players competing at AAA, junior, and similar levels.

Playing Background

Matt’s playing career includes experience at several of the highest levels of amateur and professional hockey. He played junior hockey in both the USHL and NAHL before moving on to NCAA Division I hockey at Miami University. After college, he continued his career professionally in Europe with the Glasgow Clan in the EIHL and the Rostock Piranhas in the German Oberliga. These experiences across junior, college, and professional hockey shaped his understanding of how players develop at different stages and what it takes to advance.

Coaching Experience

Matt has coaching experience in the United States Hockey League (USHL), where he served as an assistant coach with the Tri-City Storm. His responsibilities included skill development, offensive structure, special teams work, scouting, and video review. Working with players at the junior level strengthened his ability to communicate concepts clearly and tailor his teaching to individual needs.

Coaching Approach

Matt takes a steady, practical approach to developing players. He focuses on clear instruction, honest feedback, and building habits that carry over into real game situations. His goal is to help each player understand not just what to work on, but why it matters, and how to apply those details at their current level of play. Sessions are adapted to the player’s age, experience, and long-term goals.

Who He Works With

Matt trains a wide range of players, including:

Youth players learning skating and puck skills
Middle school and high school players preparing for evaluations or higher-level teams
AAA and junior players working on advanced mechanics and decision-making
Adult players looking to continue improving their game