Coaching Staff
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Zac Pearson was born in White Lake, Mi and now resides in Decatur where he lives with his wife and three kids. Zac has 30 years of hockey experience in a variety of leagues. Zac grew up playing AAA in Detroit for Little Caesars, where he then left for the USHL Cedar Rapids Roughriders. After one year in the USHL Zac went to get a Division 1 scholarship to Ferris State University in the CCHA where he played four years on the varsity program and received a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. Zac went on to play 6 years of pro hockey in various leagues. After 6 years of playing professionally Zac received an opportunity to coach, which he gladly accepted. Zac Coached Junior A and also in the professional ranks of the CHL and the SPHL, where to this day he is the only player, Head Coach, and Asst. Coach in the SPHL all in the same season. Zac is now the owner of the Decatur Blaze of the USPHL Premier, where he also coaches. Zac’s vast network and knowledge has allowed him to help many kids improve their hockey skills and get to the next level in their playing careers. Coach Pearson has been coaching the Blaze for the past seven seasons.
Eric Henderson has been an integral part of the Decatur Blaze organization since the 2022–2023 season, when he began as a scout, and has served as Assistant Coach since 2023 for both the Premier and Elite teams. In his role, he works closely with Head Coach Zac Pearson on player personnel decisions and recruiting, supports daily team operations, and leads efforts to build and strengthen corporate and community partnerships. A Central Illinois native, Henderson brings a well-rounded background as a player, coach, and official. He played four years of ACHA Division II men’s hockey at Robert Morris University in Springfield, Illinois, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Prior to joining the Blaze, he owned and operated a small business in Springfield for over a decade. Henderson is passionate about the game and committed to helping players develop and advance in their hockey careers, and he currently resides in Sherman, Illinois, with his wife and three children.
Front Office
Tanya is a Decatur native, having lived in the area for over 40 years.
She and her husband Brian have been involved with many community organizations over the years, (including the Illinois Jaycees where she was state president), the AFS foreign exchange program for high school students where she is a support coordinator for students and their host families, helping them find families and making sure their year is great.
Tanya also volunteers in the summer for the Cebrin Goodman Teen Institute, helping high school students become leaders in their communities in the fight against drug and alcohol abuse, and also promoting self-care and inclusion of others. Overall, Tanya’s biggest passion is being a mom and making sure that everyone is well-fed and taken care of. It’s important for the Blaze players to feel comfortable in their respective billet homes and placing them with families who love them is priority number one.
It’s Tanya’s goal to make sure that all our players, their families, and the billets have a great season, play hard, stay safe, and make lasting relationships.
