Alexandria, MN (Sept. 9, 2025)
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The Northstar Knights are proud to announce the start of the 2025–26 hockey season, unveiling its 18U Prep and 16U AAA rosters and an exciting schedule packed with top-tier competition and showcases across the country.
The 18U Prep team, led by Head Coach Rylan Galiardi and Associate Coach Joe Cullen, will feature 14 returning players, including several moving up from last year’s 16U AAA squad. The roster includes players representing Minnesota (5), North Dakota (5), Colorado (3), South Dakota (2), Washington (2), Arizona (1), Virginia (1), Maine (1), Michigan (1), and Illinois (1).
The 16U AAA team will be coached by Dallas Steward and newly added Jim DePaolo. DePaolo comes from Dallas, TX where he had a very successful 13 year tenure as the Head Coach for Dallas Baptist University. The team welcomes back five returning players from last season. This year’s roster features players from Minnesota (7), North Dakota (6), Washington (2), California (2), Colorado (1), Iowa (1), Missouri (1), North Carolina (1), South Dakota (1), and Wisconsin (1).
“It’s a joy to witness the players’ excitement as we launch another school year at Northstar,” Galiardi said. “We’re thrilled to welcome new staff and their families to our program and ministry. We’re grateful for the opportunity to unite our staff and community in supporting these boys, focusing on Jesus, hockey, and academics.”
Both the 18U Prep and 16U AAA schedules will challenge the teams with appearances at some of the nation’s premier showcases. Highlights include the Blades Showcase in Minneapolis, the Fargo Force Showcase in Fargo, and Tier 1 Elite League events in Sioux Falls. The Knights will also compete at NEPACK Showcases in Pittsburgh, PA and Woodbridge, NJ, the Chicago Mission Invite in Chicago, and will close the season at the prestigious Texas Shootout in Dallas. Throughout the year, both teams will face opponents consistently ranked among the top 50 nationwide, providing players with elite exposure and development opportunities.
The Knights strength and conditioning program will be led by newly added Zach Steffens, ensuring players are prepared physically for the rigors of the season. Steffens joins the Knights after spending the last 3 years at Queens University (Charlotte, NC) as an Assistant Sports Performance Coach where he also received his Master of Science. As a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Steffens will help instill discipline, resilience, and a commitment to excellence in the weight room.
Off the ice, the Knights remain committed to developing well-rounded student-athletes through a strong academic foundation. The program is led by Head of School Ashley Mickelson, with Academic Advisors Jen Halvorson and Bailey Bassen providing individualized guidance and support to each player. Together, they ensure that the boys excel not only in hockey, but also in the classroom, preparing them for success in college, future careers, and life beyond the rink.
True to its vision, the Knights integrate faith into every aspect of the program. Players take part in chapels, discipleship groups, and service projects led by Mark Bassen, creating opportunities to grow together in their faith and live it out in meaningful ways. “We are very excited this year to see God move in an awesome way,” said Bassen. “Hearing both teams sing songs to Jesus at our Saturday night service at Geneva was incredible. This year we will continue to point the kids to this wonderful gospel of what Christ has done for us at the cross. The greatest resource we have at Northstar is the wonderful performance of Jesus Christ. His life, death and resurrection is still changing lives today.”
