Minnesota Wilderness Announce Coaching Change

The Minnesota Wilderness of the North American Hockey League named Zach Stepan as the franchise’s seventh head coach since it entered the league in 2013.

Stepan had been leading the Wilderness’ North American tier 3 Hockey League team based in Eveleth, MN as Head Coach and General Manager in their inaugural season in the NA3HL. Through eight games, Stepan led the squad to a 4-4 record.

The  Faribault, MN native prior head coaching experience came when he led the New Ulm Steel of the NA3HL for two seasons from 2019-2021. In addition to New Ulm, Stepan spent time as an assistant coach with the Chippewa Steel and Aberdeen Wings of the NAHL in addition to the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL.

Stepan’s playing experience includes four years at Minnesota State University-Mankato and was a member of Team USA in the 2013 World Junior Championship tournament.

Stepan will coach his first game with the NAHL Wilderness on Oct. 24 as the team travels to Wisconsin to take on the Chippewa Steel