Lights tab alum as new head coach
07/06/2010, 7:14pm (CDT)
By Nick Clark/MnJHL Director of Media Relations
New staff now complete for Twin Cities
The Twin Cities Northern Lights have long been home to a place for player advancement.
Unbeknownst to some, however, has been there ability to do the same with the coaches that have come through the program.
That includes former head man Eric Fink, who is now an assistant coach with the Tri City Strom of the United State Hockey League, and a pair of coaches from last year can also be added to the list.
Head coach A.J. Degenhardt was recently named the head coach of the U18/U16 Team Illinois, while assistant coach Steve Dus has accepted the head coaching position at Northwestern Health Science University.
“It’s always hard to let staff go but we are excited to see another former coach have his career take off and this is a fantastic opportunity for them,” said Twin Cities founder and general manager Ross Smith. “Bringing in new Lights staff who really want to advance up the ladder in coaching has become our staff model, so this transition every two years is not really a surprise – except that our new head coach already knows the lay of the land within
junior hockey and within our team. The transition feels seamless.”
junior hockey and within our team. The transition feels seamless.”
Former Light forward Jason Dobes will be replacing Degenhardt, and the Northern Lights also announced that Brandon Knelsen has been named assistant general manager and assistant head coach.
Dobes played for the Northern Lights in the early years of the organization, and after his playing days, he jumped right into coaching by returning to his hometown of Waterloo, Iowa and working with the Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL) organization.
Now after three years with Waterloo, Dobes was eager to put all his mentoring to use and take the reigns as head coach of the Lights.
“Over the years we have been blessed to have a pipeline of quality staff come to invest their time with our team,” said Smith. “We’re especially excited to bring Dobes back to Minnesota. With his Tier I staff experience he will be a tremendous asset and he is just such a fine young man. It really is a family reunion to have him as our new bench boss.”
Dobes is committed to keep the Northern Lights traditions as he puts his own personality and fingerprints onto the organization’s mission and methods. And his new right hand man is a perfect complement.
Knelsen's pathway to a coaching career starts with a strong Canadian hockey background which included playing three years of Junior A hockey in the Alberta Junior Hockey League with the Red Deer Optimist Rebels and the Drumheller Dragons, where was Alternate Captain.
After receiving an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Knelsen played four seasons at the Division 1 level with the Alaska Nanooks. His list of honors includes being the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Management Business Student of the Year 2009 and a Scholar-Athlete of the Year Nominee, 2009-2010.
He graduated with a degree in Business Administration this spring and is quickly jumping into recruiting and management roles.
“We are very pleased that Brandon is joining our coaching and management staff,” said founder and manager Stephanie Smith. “His business training, his hockey experience and his coaching philosophy are a great fit for our organization. He has already proven to be a team player and it's an exciting time as we prepare for the upcoming season.”
Tag(s): News
