Board of Directors

 Wayne B. Evans is a highly accomplished hockey professional and experienced operations manager with over 35 years dedicated to the sport. As a top-level coach, he acquired the USA Hockey Master Coaching Level 5 (the highest level) in 2002, accumulating thirty-five years of coaching experience across Developmental, Tier II, Juniors, and ACHA College teams. is experience in ice rink operations is extensive, including 14 years in all facets of managing ice rinks, 10 years as an Assistant GM for multiple rinks, and over 35 years as a Hockey Director. He also served as the Atlantic District of USA Hockey Assistant Director for Girls and Women Player Development. His unique blend of elite hockey expertise and deep operational management skills makes him  

 In 2000 Chris Steele started terrorizing all things rock radio for over a decade. From DC, Vegas, Worldspace Satellite Radio, and Delaware.  He’s done everything from morning shows, afternoon drive, music director, program director, imaging director, and webmaster. For the last 15 years Chris has dedicated himself to our community working as a healthcare first responder and coaching youth sports like ice hockey and baseball. On the Vault, he’s back to giving back on the airways with the 302 Radio Show, celebrating all of the great things and people in Delaware.  

 Mike and Wayne connected through the Harrington arena, where both of Mike's sons played youth hockey, much of which was under the direction of Wayne. Mike is a hockey enthusiast, being a member of multiple adult leagues, including the Delmarva Warriors Veteran Hockey Organization.  Being so heavily involved in hockey on the Delmarva Peninsula, paired with his 10 years accounting experience, Mike gladly accepted Wayne's offer of appointment to Treasurer of the Miracle Ice Arena. Mike hold's a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting & Finance, and has extensive accounting experience in non-profits and real estate development. 

 Rosie Gabriel's professional experience includes serving as a Governance & Operations Project Manager for The Vision Council , where she organized a board of International Optical CEOs and managed committees and the organization. As a Project Coordinator for the American Association of Community Colleges, she managed a $20 Millon dollar US DOL Cooperative Agreement project, coordinating 108 stakeholders and working projects supported by the White House, Metallica and other organizations . Rosie holds a B.S. in Food Service Management and an A.D. in Culinary Arts (Cum Laude) from Johnson & Wales University . She also volunteers for organizations including The White House – Events, Board Member of Families Prosper and various volunteer organizations.  

Phil brings a lifelong passion for hockey and strong community roots to his role on the Miracle Ice Arena Board. Growing up in the Washington, D.C. area, he played competitive Tier 1 youth hockey with the Montgomery Blue Devils and Washington Little Capitals before continuing his hockey career at the University of Maryland. While completing his studies, Phil worked at Cabin John Ice Rink in Potomac, Maryland, a nonprofit facility that deepened his understanding of the ice rink ecosystem and the community value such facilities bring.

Hockey has long been a cornerstone of Phil’s personal development, instilling discipline, teamwork, and leadership values that he now strives to pass on. He has dedicated many years to coaching and program development, including coaching with Montgomery Youth Hockey and helping launch the St. John’s College High School Hockey Program in 2005, which remains a thriving program today.

Now residing in Ocean View, Delaware, Phil is the founder and principal of a boutique recruiting and staffing firm, following a successful tenure as a top producer and Division Director for a Fortune 500 company and the Forbes number one ranked staffing firm. His professional expertise centers on relationship building, strategic partnerships, and community engagement.

Through his combination of hockey experience, business leadership, and nonprofit collaboration, Phil is excited to contribute to the success of the Miracle Ice Arena project. He is deeply motivated by the vision of bringing an ice arena to Sussex County and creating a space that will inspire and connect the next generation of athletes and families.