Contact Information Address: Minnesota Wilderness 1102 Olympic Dr. Cloquet, MN 55720 Website:wildernesshockey.com
Tryout Information Dates Location Contact May 31 – Jun 2, 2024 Pre-Draft Camp Dakotah Ice Center Prior Lake, MN Jonah Williams, Director of Hockey Administration & Scout Coordinator EmailRegistration Info Jun 7 – 9, 2024 Pre-Draft Camp America First Center Henderson, NV Jul 14 – 18, 2024 Northwoods Credit Union Arena Cloquet, MN

HOCKEY OPERATIONS

Head Coach: Colten St. Clair

The Minnesota Wilderness announce 30-year-old Colten St. Clair as the 6th head coach in the franchise’s history. Before joining the Wilderness, Colten spent the last season as associate head coach of the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers. In his first season with Sioux City, he helped guide the team to a Clark Cup championship.  Before the start of the 2022-23 campaign, the role of assistant general manager was added to his duties. Prior to joining the Musketeers staff, St. Clair spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL, one season as a volunteer assistant with the University of Maine. As a player, St. Clair played 4 years at the University of North Dakota capped off by winning the National Championship in 2016. He played his junior hockey for the Fargo Force in the USHL for 3 seasons.

Assistant Coach: Steve Pitoscia

The Wilderness are excited to have Steve Pitoscia, previously Director of Player Development, join on as the team’s new Assistant Coach. Steve has been coaching hockey for over 25 years. Pitoscia spent many years developing some of the best players to come out of the Duluth area. In 2019, he was named a scout for the USHL Omaha Lancers while coaching their U16 and U18 teams. Since 2021 “Pit” has been the Head Coach for the Duluth East Greyhounds while continuing to scout for the USHL and NAHL. We are very excited to have Steve be a part of the Wilderness staff and be an intrical part in scouting and recruiting future players.

Head Scout: Sean Fish

Sean Fish is back for his 8th season with the Minnesota Wilderness as the team’s Head Scout. Sean has been coaching and scouting for the past 11 seasons following his collegiate career at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Sean is currently the head coach for Orono High School and continues to be a staple of the Minnesota Wilderness organization in finding future Wilderness players. 

Director of Hockey Administration & Scouting Coordinator: Jonah Williams

Hailing from the hockey-rich region of Hermantown and a graduate of Duluth Denfeld, Jonah Williams brings a wealth of experience and passion for the game to the Minnesota Wilderness.

Before joining the Wilderness, Jonah held significant roles within the hockey community, Most recently with the American Hockey Academy as an Assistant Coach for the 16u AAA team in Boston, MA. 

Jonah’s extensive scouting background includes stints with the NAHL’s Chippewa Steel and Kansas City Scouts, as well as the USHL, where he played a pivotal role in securing the prestigious Clark Cup with the Youngstown Phantoms in 2023.

Throughout his coaching career, Jonah has left an indelible mark on various teams, including the NA3HL’s Wausau RiverWolves and Gilmour Academy in Cleveland, OH. At Gilmour Academy, he held the position of Director of Player Development and served as an assistant coach for both the 18u Prep and 16u AAA teams.

In his role with the Minnesota Wilderness, Jonah will lead the 16u and 18u Fall/Spring teams while also contributing his expertise in scouting, recruiting, and other areas of hockey operations. His deep roots in the Minnesota hockey community and unwavering commitment to player development make him a valuable asset to the Wilderness organization.

Email: jwilliams@wildernesshockey.com | Phone: (218) 730-7753

Director of Player Personnel: Kevin Smalley

Kevin is back for his 5th season with the Minnesota Wilderness as Director of Player Personnel. Kevin’s contributions to the organization span wide as he is involved in coaching our U16 and U18 Fall development teams as well as being a scout for the organization. Kevin has been a huge part in finding some of the top talent in Northern Minnesota and bringing them into the Wilderness family. Kevin played his college hockey at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

FRONT OFFICE

Board of Governor/Owner: Barry Bohman

Board of Governor/Owner: Brenda Bohman

General Manager: Dave Boitz

Dave Boitz has been an integral part of the Wilderness Hockey Organization for the last five seasons, serving at the Wilderness General Manager. During this time, The Wilderness claimed the Robertson Cup in 2015 and Dave Boitz was recognized as the 2017 GM Of The Year.

Prior to working with The Wilderness, Boitz was the Head Coach and General Manager of the Alaska Avalanche, from 2008 – 2011. During his time with the Avalanche, the team rose from the bottom of the league into a team that was able to contend for a playoff spot each year, winning over 30 games in their last two seasons.

Previous to the Alaska Avalanche, Boitz was part of the inaugural season for the North Iowa Outlaws, where he was Head Coach and GM for three seasons. During Boitz’s time in Iowa, the Outlaws elevated to one of the top teams in the NAHL, winning the Central Division Title in 2008. During the same year, the North Iowa Outlaws were also recognized as Organization of the Year in the NAHL.

Boitz’s first season coaching in the NAHL came during the inaugural season of the then Alexandria (Brookings) blizzard in 2003. After getting a late start in their first season, they came back as a serious contender in their second season, competing in the Robertson Cup playoffs.

Before coaching in the NAHL, Boitz spent over 8 years coaching in the Alexandria hockey association, both as a bantam and high school boys hockey coach. Boitz’s teams in Alexandria would consistently compete in State championships and brought home several Conference Championship titles.

Operations Manager: Brandon Sell

Game Day Manager: Kirby Heikkinen

Marketing Professional: Emily Veno

Billet Coordinator: Brenda Vandell