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RICO PHILLIPS
FOUNDER
Rico Phillips is a lifelong resident of Flint, Michigan, where he enjoyed a 28-year career as a professional firefighter with the City of Flint Fire Department, retiring in 2019. His second passion is hockey, which he has been involved with since high school. He has taken on roles as an athletic trainer, player, coach, and on-ice official since 1986.
Throughout his expansive hockey career, Rico founded and is the director of the Flint Inner City Youth Hockey Program in 2010. The program offers barrier-free hockey to under-indexed children in the Flint, Michigan community. His work, along with countless volunteers earned him the prestigious Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award from the National Hockey League in 2019.
Rico Phillips also serves as the Director of Cultural and Community for the Ontario Hockey League. In this role, he helps to inspire generations of players, coaches, team leaders, and spectators to embrace and respect each other’s cultures and differences while participating in the great sport of hockey.
Additionally, Rico serves on the advisory committee for the Hockey Diversity Alliance, assisting with grassroots programming. He is also a member of the NHL Coaches Association BIPOC Program, an advisory committee member for Hockey Equality, and a member of the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association EDI Committee.
Rico is married and has three adult children and two grandchildren.
CHRISTOPHER EBBOT
BOARD MEMBER
Chris Ebbott has lived in Flint most of his life, graduating from Powers Catholic High School. He was a Captain of the hockey team his senior year and the starting goalie. A lifelong hockey player since grade school beginning with the Greater Flint Hockey Association, he continues to play in men’s leagues and for the Powers Alumni hockey team.
Chris was honored to be asked to serve on the board of the Flint Inner City Youth Hockey program with Rico, Matt, Matt and Jared. His oldest daughter went through the program and had a great time learning to play the game and creating friendships.
Chris has been practicing law in Flint for almost 30 years as a trial attorney, and although it was difficult at times, his schedule allowed him to serve on the coaching staff of Powers hockey for a number of years when Court Benson was the head coach and as an assistant coach with Ben Guzak coaching Linden.
Chris is married to Kara and has two daughters, Elizabeth and Genevieve.
MATT WALKER
BOARD MEMBER
Matt Walker has been a Michigan resident for most of his life having a true passion for the Great Lakes State and all of the outdoor activities that accompany it.
Matt has played hockey since 1972 starting in The Greater Flint Hockey Association before moving over to The Eastern Michigan Hockey Association in 1977. In 1981 Matt joined his Dad Mike on the bench with the Flint Icelanders and has been there in some capacity to this day where he is an Assistant Coach with the 2023 State Champion Flint Powers Catholic Chargers.
Matt has been Operations Manager with Perani’s Hockey World since 1997 and is truly proud to have helped/supported Rico Phillips since day one in 2010 helping to “launch” The Flint Inner City Youth Hockey Foundation! “It was a sincere compliment and honor being asked to serve as Vice President with Rico, Matt Jared and Chris.”
Matt has been married to his Wife Jennie for 33 years and has two son’s; Trenton and Brendan that reside in Davison and Holly respectively.
MATT BENDALL
BOARD MEMBER
Matt Bendall lives in Flushing with his wife Mae Bendall and his two children Parker and Booker. Hockey has been a significant part of his entire life. Matt grew up playing hockey inside the Eastern Michigan Hockey Association at the age of 3 and is still involved in the Eastern Michigan Hockey Association today.
Matt has served as the President of the Eastern Michigan Hockey Association for 8 years. He was able to watch his oldest son Parker go through the EMHA from Mites all the way through Bantams. Matts son Parker is a Junior at Powers Catholic as well as a member of the Powers Catholic Hockey team. Matts youngest son Booker is currently playing under the EMHA umbrella for the 2012 Flint Jr Firebirds.
Matt and the EMHA have been major supporters to the FICYH organization since its inception. Matt has spent a large part of his adult life giving back to the Flint Hockey community in several different capacities. When Rico invited him to sit on the Board for the FICYH it was a very easy decision. To continue to give back to the game that has given him and his family so much, and to be able to introduce this wonderful sport to others has been a passion of his.
JARED HOFFMEYER
BOARD MEMBER
Jared lives in Fenton with his wife Katie and his three children, Hattie, Huck, and Hazely. A lifelong resident of Michigan, his entire life has been dedicated to a passion for the game of Hockey. A legacy he continues today with the Flint Inner City Youth Hockey program.
Jared’s Dad, Bob Hoffmeyer, played in the NHL for many years before Jared himself would play many years before becoming a professional referee around Michigan. Jared’s sister, Lexi, has played professionally and as an Olympian for Canada.
Now Jared’s own children are heavily involved in Hockey. Huck plays for the 2014 Flint Jr. Firebirds and Hattie also plays for the Flint Jr. Firebirds. Hazely is a cheerleader at Fenton Middle School and a frequent attendee of her siblings’ and Flint Firebird games.
Jared hopes his, and his family’s legacy as contributors to Hockey will continue with his involvement with Rico and the Flint Inner City Youth Hockey program.
