The Minnesota Wilderness’ new North American Tier 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) junior hockey team has announced their first-ever head coach. Zach Stepan will serve as the franchises’ head coach and general manager for their inaugural season.

RELATED STORY: Minnesota Wilderness approved to purchase a NA3HL franchise.

Stepan spent the last year as an assistant coach in the United States Hockey League (USHL) for the Des Moines Buccaneers. Prior to that, he had a three year stint as a North American Hockey League (NAHL) assistant with the Aberdeen Wings and Chippewa Steel.

Additionally, the Wilderness NA3HL team recently made their first draft picks. In round two, 49th overall they would take Cloquet native Ryan Jones. A senior last season the forward scored six goals and six assists for the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys hockey team.

The Wilderness NA3HL would also take Oakmoor Academy forward Mark Denoyer 73rd overall.

The Wilderness NA3HL was established after the NAHL Wilderness’ owner, Barry Bohman, acquired the Minnesota Loons, a NA3HL franchise that spent the last three seasons based in Breezy Point, MN. Bohman is moving the team to northeastern Minnesota and will be announcing where it will play its home games sometime within the upcoming weeks.