Jake Semmelhack: A Two-Year Glenbrook North Captain, Three-Year Varsity Defensive Standout
Jake Semmelhack: A Two-Year Glenbrook North Captain, Three-Year Varsity Defensive Standout
By Ross Forman, 10/19/25, 12:15PM CDT
Jackson Sturner scored a tip-in powerplay goal midway through the first period of the SHL Championship last March for Glenbrook North against New Trier Green. The Spartans went on to win the game 4-2, grabbing their first SHL championship since 2015 and their fourth in school history.
“It was a surreal moment to end up winning that game and contributing so much to the outcome after a long season,” said defenseman Jake Semmelhack, who had an assist on Sturrner’s goal – and the moment still stands as his career highlight in an illustrious GBN career.
Semmelhack, 18, who lives in Northbrook, is a powerful left-handed shooting defenseman standing 6-foot-1, weighing 205-pounds and sporting Spartan jersey No. 95. He formerly played for the Northbrook Bluehawks and Chicago Bulldogs and is now in his third varsity season for the Spartans. He was the GBN Defenseman of the Year the past two seasons and an SHL Academic Team honoree as a sophomore and junior. Also last season, Semmelhack was named to the All-SHL Second Team.
He was the GBN captain as a junior and again this season.
“Over the years, I have grown into a more skilled player, but I would say my style has always revolved around physicality,” Semmelhack said. “Besides laying big open-ice hits, my goal has always been to be the strongest kid on the ice. Rarely losing battles in the corners or in front of the net has helped tremendously in the defensive side of the game. From there, I have improved my skating, shooting and stickhandling to become a well-balanced hockey player who can lay big hits, move pucks, make plays and score goals when needed.”
Former York head coach Matt Boeing said, “Man, that kid could walk the blue line and he (has) the fastest release from the point on the power play. He is a huge threat every time he is one the ice.”
Semmelhack had 6 goals, 17 assists in 34 SHL games last season, landing third among SHL defensemen. He has 1 goal and 4 assists in the Spartans’ first five SHL games this season.
“It’s no secret that we have a completely different team from last season. Losing the No. 1 goalie in the state, key forwards and our head coach is a big blow, but so far, our team has had good resilience with the changes we’ve experienced,” Semmelhack said.
The Spartans opened the SHL season with a 2-3 mark.
“The new coaching staff is doing a great job getting us prepared to grow each game. I think our team this year is doing a good job improving on a day-to-day basis, and we have the potential to claim a top spot in the league by February, if we keep that mentality.
“Ranking 9th out of the 10 SHL teams in the power rankings stinks, but out of all the groups of guys I’ve played with, I have no doubt our squad this year will use that as fuel to get better.”
Sturner is leading the Spartans with 6 points in their first 5 games. Raymond Caris has 5 goals in 5 games; Nicholas Jackson has 5 assists in 5 games.
“Since last season, I have improved in my endurance,” Semmelhack said. “I began logging serious minutes last year, upwards of 25 per game, and even more in big games. Toward the end of the season, I got tired quicker. This season, I think I have gotten better at being able to play in games where I get 25+ minutes a game, and a big contributor to that is offseason workouts. I also have improved my speed and skating, as I notice the difference in battles in the corners and in the offensive zone.
“Being an impact player on a hockey team is a big responsibility. I feel the team energy reflects how my energy is that day, and like most players, I have off days where I am not 100 percent. I think this carries a lot of pressure, but I also feel like I do a good job of managing that. In big games or situations, I am not afraid or nervous, and I know that I need to calm the nerves that some of my teammates have, having rarely been in those situations. I am confident that the team will feed off my energy, whether it is a big hit to start the game, or a smooth shift to ease the tension on the bench. Even when the team is down, I feel like I find a way to get everyone on their feet and ready to make the next play through my on-ice play or on-the-bench speeches. Overall, I like being an impact player because I know the team counts on me to perform, which brings my game to its highest level because I don’t want to let my teammates down.”
Semmelhack said some of his favorite memories from his three varsity seasons have been off-ice moments, such as, pasta parties, team hangouts, time in the locker room, or trips to their favorite local pizza restaurant. “I have always laughed and enjoyed time with the team as much as anything that happens on the ice,” he said.
On-ice, Semmelhack and his teammates are focused on the always-tough SHL grind, with a clear eye on Wednesday, November 26, when Glenbrook North battles arch-rival Glenbrook South in the tradition-rich night-before-Thanksgiving game, played in Wilmette.
“The student section (at the GBN-GBS game), the crowd and the overall atmosphere is unlike any other, even at professional sporting events. It is circled on my calendar every year as something to look forward to,” he said. “The win my sophomore year in that game was an experience like no other, and I am excited to get back to winning that game after last year’s loss to GBS.”
The Spartans built a 2-0 lead after the first period last year in the holiday battle against the Titans, and Semmelhack assisted Charles Walker’s goal to give North a 1-0 edge.
South came alive in the second period, scoring four unanswered.
The Titans celebrated, winning 4-2.
“My favorite play from last season was during the GBN/GBS Thanksgiving game when I laid-out (South star forward Blake) Hoffer in open-ice right in front of our student section. That was a cool moment, especially in a big game,” he said.
Hoffer laughed last, scoring the final goal of the game for the Titans.
Semmelhack’s most memorable game last season was the SHL Championship Game win over the Trevians, as it was filled with “so many big hits, goals and moments that I still think about,” he said. “It was also the last game I got to play with teammates who are now in college.”
And the last game for Evan Poulakidas as the GBN head coach. He is now the head coach at York High School.
“You win championships with players like Jake. He’s physical, skilled offensively, and consistently the best defenseman on the ice,” Poulakidas said. “His presence alone brings stability to the team. Jake leads not only through his play but through the standards he sets and demands from his teammates. When Jake speaks, players listen. He embodies everything a GBN player should be. It was truly a pleasure to be a part of Jake’s journey.”
Semmelhack’s hockey highlight was playing in the AHAI Development Camp in his midget U15 season. “It was a cool moment to skate with friends and good competition after working hard to prove myself the years prior,” he said. “It also gave me a big confidence boost going into my first high school season.”
Semmelhack is quick to pass praise for his hockey career, starting with his parents, Diana and Joel, who he credits as, “the greatest influence on my career.”
He added, “They help me make big decisions, support me no matter what program or position I was at, and are always willing to help me get better, whether it be on or off the ice. In recent years, they have been tremendous supporters of me as a captain. They help me navigate tough situations and are always willing to talk and give advice. They truly are the best and I wouldn’t be the same person, or hockey player, without them.
“Some big coaching influences on my career have been Russ Naumenko, who coached me in my bantam minor year at the Chicago Bulldogs. He took a chance on me and gave me an opportunity to grow, as I started as the sixth defenseman and eventually worked up to the second spot. He also was a tough coach to play for, but it made me better in the long run. The trainer at the Chicago Bulldogs, Chris Affinatti, was also a huge influence in my hockey career. Without him, I wouldn’t be the type of player I am today because I simply wouldn’t be as strong or as fast. Lastly, Evan Poulakidas has been the greatest influence on my hockey career in terms of coaches. Not only did he believe in me, but he saw potential from the start, a year before I even joined GBN Hockey. He gave me every opportunity to be a better player and better leader, and he truly passed along what it meant to be a Glenbrook North Spartan.”
When Semmelhack’s hockey run ends next spring, he switches gears and joins the GBN varsity baseball team, leading that crew as the catcher and three-year varsity player.
“Baseball is great for hockey because it teaches me that failure is OK in sports, and that getting back up after getting knocked down is essential for growth,” he said. “Being a leader in hockey helps me translate those lessons into something I can bring to the entire baseball program, not just on one team.”
One of Semmelhack’s biggest sporting strengths is just that – his strength. He certainly knows his way around the gym at GBN.
“The gym is more than just lifting heavy weights, but rather, a place where I can train both muscle endurance plus hockey/athletic movements,” he said. “Plyometrics, specific lifts, and calculated progress are all key factors in making me not only stronger as an athlete, but more powerful and explosive with my movements. This translates directly to the ice, where I’d say over half of my game is played battling with an opposing player. Having that explosive ability and endurance sets me apart from a good majority of the league.”
Semmelhack hits the weights three or four times per week, about an hour per session.
“My eating habits and recovery is a huge part of my success on the ice,” he said. “Eating well, drinking enough water and stretching is critical to stay healthy and able to play so many minutes. Lifting and listening to my body is also great for preventing injury, as over the years I have gotten close to overworking myself multiple times, but I have learned to tone it down.”
Semmelhack said he plans to study mechanical engineering in college and hopefully play club hockey. Plus, “I want to carry my leadership experience into the real world because I know how important it is to be able to communicate and motivate others when working toward solving real solutions, not just hockey plays,” he said.
Slapshots With … Glenbrook North Defenseman Jake Semmelhack
Looking Back: “My sophomore year, the first year I played (for) GBN, was a big one in terms of becoming a leader. Part of this was learning from senior teammates – what to do, what not to do. Ryan Sandler and Ryan Rossi were both big parts in my development as a leader, both influential in growing my confidence as a player and teaching me how to be a good example through their actions. Both were super supportive and knew how and when to help me both as a player and leader for the rest of the team.”
Hobbies: “Outside of hockey, I love to listen to music and play with my dogs. At school, I love my math and physics classes. I also love building Legos, hanging out with friends and watching movies and TV shows with my family.”
Finally: “To all future athletes: make school count! Taking school seriously is cool; it’s cool to be a student AND an athlete.”
Favorite NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Favorite NHL Player: Duncan Keith
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Miracle on Ice
Favorite TV Show: Criminal Minds
Motivational Song: Can’t Stop by The Red Hot Chili Peppers
Favorite Pre-game Meal: “I don’t love full meals before games, but I always have a bag of trail mix before games.”
Favorite app: Instagram
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Adam Sandler
Favorite High School Uniform (other than GBN): Saint Viator (blue jerseys)
Tag(s): Home Network Varsity GBNG