Staff

Born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, Frank Santelli began his hockey journey at just 9 years old—a rare path for someone growing up in the heart of the Low Country. As his skills developed, Santelli quickly made waves in the local hockey scene with the Charleston Wolverines junior program, capturing the attention of coaches across the southeastern U.S. His pursuit of elite-level play led him through the northeastern hockey circuit and ultimately north of the border, where he finished his junior career in Canada.

Following his junior tenure, Frank attended training camp with the Steel City Warriors (Single-A minor professional), where he earned a roster spot—making history as the first professional hockey player to emerge from the Charleston area. He would go on to play professionally both domestically and internationally, including a stint in Turkey, before retiring from pro hockey and shifting his focus toward building the future of the sport.

Frank is the co-founder of the Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL) and co-owner of the California Grizzlies, one of the league's flagship franchises. His entrepreneurial ventures extend beyond the rink—he is also the founder and operator of Jackpot Logistics, a freight logistics company based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Off the ice, Frank remains deeply involved in player development. He serves as a private instructor and on-ice coach with Simply Defense/Strictly Shooting Hockey School and contributes his scouting expertise to the Motor City Gamblersof the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL).

Frank currently resides in Las Vegas with his two beloved dogs—Bo, a Siberian Husky, and Sinatra, an Alaskan Malamute. In addition to his hockey and business endeavors, he made a film appearance in the 2013 movie Joe’s War.

Santelli and Kyle Kabacinski began work on the re-launch of the WPHL in 2021, combining their professional experience and passion for the game to build a league focused on opportunity, innovation, and grassroots growth.

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Kyle Kabacinski is a seasoned athlete and entrepreneur with a rich background in junior, collegiate, semi-professional, and minor professional hockey. After playing his junior career in the Midwest, he competed collegiately at Rochester College (now Rochester Christian University), where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Sports Management.

Post-graduation, Kabacinski continued his playing career across the minor and semi-professional ranks while also coaching youth hockey in Detroit. A multi-sport competitor, he also played semi-pro and minor professional arena football, deepening his experience in athletics.

Kyle is the co-founder of the Western Professional Hockey League and co-owner of the California Grizzlies, one of its inaugural franchises. His entrepreneurial ventures include Motor City Club, a property site-management company, and Jackpot Logistics, a freight logistics operation. He also works as a scout for the USPHL’s Motor City Gamblers, a state champion field events coach at Divine Child Catholic High School, and a soccer official with the MHSAA.

In the off-season, he travels as a coach and instructor with Simply Defense/Strictly Shooting Hockey School, working with players across the Northeast and Midwest. Kyle splits time between Detroit and Las Vegas, where he lives with his fiancée, daughter, and family. In 2021, he and Frank Santelli began developing the re-launch of the WPHL, bringing their shared vision of player-focused, growth-driven hockey to life.

Neal Renzi is the Chief Financial Officer of the Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL), bringing a wealth of financial expertise and strategic vision to the league's executive team. In 2025, Neal teamed up with WPHL founders Kyle and Frank to help launch the league's inaugural season, playing a crucial role in establishing the financial infrastructure and long-term economic goals that will drive the WPHL forward.

A native of Orange County, California, Neal grew up surrounded by the vibrant Southern California hockey scene. He honed his skills in roller hockey throughout his youth and high school years, later competing at the semi-professional level with the Temecula K-Rats in the Continental Inline Hockey League (CIHL). This deep-rooted passion for the sport continues to inspire his dedication to helping the WPHL grow into a premier professional hockey league.

In addition to his leadership with the WPHL, Neal is the owner and operator of American Dream Mortgage Company, a successful venture he built with the same relentless drive and discipline that he applies to his role in the league. His dual expertise in both finance and competitive sports makes him an invaluable asset to the WPHL’s leadership team.

With a strong background in finance and operations, Neal is responsible for overseeing the league’s fiscal planning, budgeting, and financial compliance. His strategic approach ensures that the WPHL remains financially sound while positioning the league for long-term growth and success. Neal is committed to cultivating a league that excels both on and off the ice, focusing on innovation, transparency, and smart investments that advance the sport of hockey.