Midway through first season, Guzior out as Mount Carmel hockey coach

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Updated: February 13, 2012 9:16AM

Russ Guzior’s term as hockey coach at Mount Carmel was a brief one.

Named to the post June 2, the 1992 Marist graduate recently resigned, citing personal reasons.

“Russ has some personal issues he’s attending to,” Mount Carmel athletic director Dan LeCount said. “He had a tremendous positive effect on the ice with all of the kids. They really loved him. He’s to be credited with the turnaround in the kids’ play this season.”

It was unclear what those issues were that led to his resignation.

Guzior’s driving privileges, however, were revoked after a June 14, 2009, DUI arrest in Missouri, said Ruth Riley, a spokeswoman for the secretary of state’s office.

Guzior was able to drive on a restricted license beginning in October 2009, when his car was equipped with a Breath Alcohol Interlock Device, Riley said. But at a June 1, 2011, hearing he was denied both full and restricted driving privileges, she said.

On June 3, Will County Sheriff’s police cited him in Homer Glen for driving on a revoked license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and driving with one headlight. He did not appear at a Nov. 3 hearing regarding his driving privileges and can next apply for reinstatement in February, Riley said.

The SouthtownStar’s attempts to reach Guzior were unsuccessful.

Assistant coach Patrick Philbin has stepped in as interim coach for the Caravan, in sixth place in the Catholic League at 6-8-2.

Guzior was a star player at Marist, who went to the Culver Military his senior season. He was an 11th-round draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 1993 but never played in the NHL. After four years at Providence College, he played professionally for eight years.

LeCount said the Caravan is in the process of hiring another head coach. So far, the school has been receiving resumes from interested candidates and will “revisit previous candidates,” LeCount said.

“Our hockey community is very strong. We’re giving it immediate attention,” LeCount said. “We’d like to have a new head coach by the spring. I’m confident we’ll make the right hire.”

Contributing: Phil Arvia