Knights Hire Mark Bassen to coaching staff
Alexandria, MN (Jul. 19, 2024)
For more information, contact: Johnny Van Atta, Director of Hockey Operations and Media Relations (615) 830-1113, [email protected]
The Northstar Knights are excited to announce Mark Bassen to its 2024-25 coaching staff and program.
“Mark brings great experience to our coaching team and ultimately desires to train godly men in hockey and life, which is our heartbeat at the academy,” Interim Director Dallas Steward said.
Born into a hockey family in Calgary, Canada, Mark followed in the footsteps of his father Hank, and brother Bob who both played in the NHL. Beginning his hockey journey, he played 2 years junior in the WHL signing his first Pro contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. He then embarked on a 12-year professional career within the AHL, IHL, Canadian National Team, and Germany’s DEL. After retiring he went to Bible school at Lincoln Christian College in Illinois. He then founded and served as pastor of Crosswalk Chapel in Pekin, Illinois for 20 fulfilling years. Within the last 5 years Mark’s family moved to Germany and worked professionally inside hockey around Scheveningen of the DEL. While there, he received international experience coaching levels of junior and U17 hockey teams. Over the last 30 years Mark has coached hockey at every level from Mite to Junior specializing in skating and edge work. Mark's father had said in hockey, “skating is the most important part”. While his mother has said in life “Jesus is the most important part”. Mark agrees and shares, “They both were so right, after all these years it’s clear hockey and Jesus can really go together. I’m so grateful for the new opportunity in Alexandria and can’t wait to serve at NorthStar.” Mark’s amazing family include his wife, Laura and their 5 children Boaz, Alex, Bailey, Charlie, and Emma with their Golden retriever Hank and will be relocating to Alexandria, MN this summer.
Mark Abalan announced as Head Coach of the Tri-City Storm in the USHL
Alexandria, MN (May. 31, 2024)
For more information, contact: Johnny Van Atta, Director of Hockey Operations and Media Relations (615) 830-1113, [email protected]
Northstar Knights 16U Coach, Mark Abalan, has been announced as the new Head Coach of the Tri City Storm of the USHL. The Storm are located in Kearney, NE and have made the playoffs for 7 consecutive seasons, winning the USHL’s Anderson Cup in 2019 & 2022 and the Clark Cup Championship in 2016. “I am excited for the opportunity that lies ahead to coach the Tri City Storm and I look forward to leading and developing young men to become better hockey players at the USHL level,” Abalan said. “I’m grateful for my time here at NorthStar and blessed by the many amazing friendships that my family and I have made.”
Abalan will take over a team that has a strong track record of producing collegiate and NHL talent, including Jaden Schwartz, Phoenix Copley, and Blake Coleman. Abalan will also inherit 2 Northstar Knights, Bode Laylin and Hunter Rudolph, who are in the Storm’s player system.
"Through the interview process, we had several quality options and strong candidates for the position,” Tri-City General Manager said in the team’s press release . “Ultimately, we were extremely impressed with Coach Abalan's track record, experience, communication skills, and professionalism. We felt these attributes would make for an outstanding addition to our staff, and provide our players with a quality teacher and leader as we look to next season and the future. We are thrilled to bring in a coach with Mark's experience and familiarity with the USHL. He has a passion for development, and player improvement, and a history of being able to communicate with elite athletes in this age range. We proudly welcome him to Kearney."
The Duluth, MN native is no stranger to the USHL. Prior to coming to Northstar in 2021, Abalan coached 9 total seasons in the USHL with 8 seasons as an Assistant Coach with the Sioux City Musketeers and 1 season as the Head Coach with the Chicago Steel. Additionally, Abalan represented the United States as an Assistant Coach at the World Junior A Championships on 3 different occasions. His teams won the gold medal in 2013 and 2018 and a bronze medal in 2019.
“We are very happy for Mark to become the head coach for the Tri-city Storm in the USHL” said Northstar Interim Director, Dallas Steward. “Mark’s influence and leadership will greatly impact the Storm organization. We are thankful for Mark’s 3 years at Northstar, developing talented young men and serving the Lord.”
The 2024-25 USHL schedule has not been officially released yet but games will begin in late September.
Bauer Berry Commits to University of St. Thomas
Alexandria, MN (May. 20, 2024)
For more information, contact: Johnny Van Atta, Director of Hockey Operations and Media Relations (615) 830-1113, [email protected]
Northstar Knights alumni, Bauer Berry, has announced his commitment to University of St. Thomas last week. The Tommies are located in the suburbs of Minneapolis and have been a Division 1 program since the fall of 2021. The Tommies ranked 2nd in the CCHA conference last season and recently announced that they will be moving to the NCHC conference in 2026-27, which is the first season they’ll be eligible to qualify for the NCAA tournament. The school is currently constructing a $183.4 million on-campus facility to host over 4,000 hockey and basketball fans. “We’re super excited to add Bauer to the Tommie Family”, said St. Thomas Assistant Coach, Cory Laylin. “He’s an excellent all-around defenseman with size, skill and hockey sense. His character, work ethic and determination fits well with our culture and what we’re building here at St. Thomas.”
Berry played for the Knights from 2021 - 2023 totaling 71 points (18G, 53A) in 103 games played for both the 16U and 18U teams. Berry’s 71 points rank him in 5th place in points among defensemen in the Knights History. “We’re so excited and proud of Bauer,” said Knights Hockey Director and 18U Prep Head Coach, Rylan Galiardi. “He was a great player during his time here at NorthStar and we’re confident he will be a great defenseman for St. Thomas in the NCHC.”
After his time at Northstar, Berry moved on to the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL who drafted Berry back in 2021 with the 194th overall pick. In 59 games played this season for the Lumberjacks, the Grand Forks, ND native scored 14 points (1G, 13A). "I thought I had a good year and my ice time increased over the season”, Berry said when he reflected on this past season. “I accepted my role with our skilled guys. I moved into that position and did well with that. I'm excited to see my future.” Berry is also ranked No. 154 among North American skaters in the final NHL Central Scouting Bureau's draft rankings which is set for June 28 - 29 in Las Vegas. “We believe he (Berry) has the type of hockey sense that is very rare and should make him a NHL draft pick,” Galiardi added. “Most importantly, Bauer grew as a young man here and I know he has continued to pursue the Lord during his time in Muskegon.”
The Knights want to congratulate Bauer on his commitment and are excited to watch his continued growth and pursuit of his dream of playing collegiate hockey at a high level.
5 Knights Drafted in 2024 USHL Draft
Alexandria, MN (May. 17, 2024)
For more information, contact: Johnny Van Atta, Director of Hockey Operations & Media Relations (615) 830-1113, [email protected]
Last week, the Northstar Knights saw 3 alumni, and 2 current players drafted in the 2024 USHL draft. The USHL Draft takes place during the first week of May each year and is completed in two “Phases”. Phase I of the Draft is ten rounds of “Futures” age players only, which are U-17 players for next year’s season (2008 birth year players only for the 2024 Draft). Phase II of the Draft will take place the following day and this draft is open to players of all ages eligible to play junior hockey (Ages 16-20) and are not currently protected by another USHL team. “We are very excited for the players that were drafted in both phases of this year’s USHL draft” said Hockey Director and 18U Prep Head Coach, Rylan Galiardi. “It is great for them to be recognized for their talent but because of the character of these young men, we know they will represent NorthStar well both on the ice and off.”
Hunter Rudolph was the lone Knight drafted in Phase 1 as he went to the Tri City Storm in the 7th round, 100th overall. The West Fargo, ND native joins current Knight, Bode Laylin, who have their rights owned by Tri City. Rudolph joined the 16U Knights in 2023 and was one of 5 underage players on the team this season. His age, however, was not a hindrance as he led the entire team in scoring with 57 points (27G, 30A) in 51 games played.
The Knights saw 4 players selected in Phase 2 of the draft. Alumni Max Weilandt, Carter Sanderson and Austin Moline were all selected within 5 picks of each other in the 4th round with Zaide Penner rounding out the group in the 20th round.
Max Weilandt was selected 48th overall by the Des Moines Buccaneers. Weilandt joined the 16U Knights from Northbrook, IL for the 2021-22 season. Although he only played 1 season in the Knights program, Weilandt ranks #1 in Knights history in GAA (1.48) and SV% (.935). Weilandt spent this past season with the St. Cloud Norsemen in the NAHL where he posted a record of 13-9-5 to go along with 2.92 GAA and .910 SV% in 32 games played.
Carter Sanderson was selected 51st overall by the Muskegon Lumberjacks. The Pierre, SD native played for the 16U Knights during the 2022-23 season. Like Rudolph, Sanderson also had an impactful season as an underager, scoring 35 points (12G, 23A) in 55 games played. This past season, Sanderson racked up 69 points (36G, 37A) for the 16U AAA Sioux Falls Power. Sanderson will bring a fantastic work ethic and leadership to the Lumberjacks organization.
Austin Moline was selected 52nd overall by the Madison Capitols. Moline suited up for the 16U Knights for the 2020-21 season where he scored 18 points (4G, 14A) in 28 games played as a part of a stellar blueline for the Knights. Moline then played the last 3 seasons in the Shattuck St. Mary’s program totaling over 150 games played and 100 points. Standing at 6’4, 195-pounds the Las Vegas, NV product is a tough, physical presence that opposing forwards hate to play against. Moline also has his junior rights owned by the Brooks Bandits of the BCHL and is currently committed to play collegiately at Northern Michigan University.
Zaide Penner was selected 302nd overall by the Fargo Force. Penner joined the 16U Knights from Fargo, ND and will have the chance to eventually suit up for his hometown team. Penner was the only underage defenseman for the Knights team this season and fit right into a top 4 role and Power Play unit. In 51 games played, the 5-10, 150-pound defenseman scored 23 points (3G, 20A) with 10 of his points coming on the Power Play. Penner was also drafted 200th overall by the Spokane Chiefs in the 2023 WHL draft last summer.
“It will be both fun and a privilege to continue to help foster the growth of the returning drafted players and the other returning players next season”, Galiardi Added. “We have an exciting mix of both returning and incoming players as we look forward to the 24-25 season.” Stay tuned in the next couple weeks for our player signings for the 2024-25 season.