Dallas Steward enters his fifth season with the Knights Program as the Executive Director and the 16U AAA Head Coach. He joined the Knights after spending four seasons as an Assistant Coach at Michigan Tech University (NCAA Division I).

Prior to his time at Michigan Tech, Steward served as Associate Head Coach of the Chicago Steel (USHL) for two seasons, helping lead the team to a Clark Cup Championship in 2016–17. He also spent four seasons with the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) as Assistant Coach and Director of Scouting, winning the Clark Cup Championship in 2014–15. In addition, Steward was selected to serve as an Assistant Coach for Team USA at the 2015 World Jr. A Challenge, where the team earned a bronze medal.

Before transitioning behind the bench, Steward played four years at the University of Alaska Anchorage (NCAA Division I) from 2000–2004, followed by six seasons of professional hockey in the ECHL and CHL.

Mark Bassen is entering his 2nd season with the Northstar Knights. 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 amazing family include his wife, Laura and their 5 children Boaz, Alex, Bailey, Charlie, and Emma with their Golden retriever Hank.

Zach Steffens enters his first season at Northstar Christian Academy as the Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He oversees all aspects of off-ice training, ensuring players are prepared physically for the demands of the season while building habits that support long-term development.

Steffens comes to Northstar after three years at Queens University (Charlotte, NC), where he served as an Assistant Sports Performance Coach. Prior to his time at Queens, he worked as a Sports Performance Coach Specialist with Novant Health for two years, training athletes across multiple sports.

A native of Apex, North Carolina, Steffens earned his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2021 before completing his Master’s at Queens University in 2024. He is also a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Jim DePaolo enters his first season with Northstar Christian Academy as the 16U Assistant Coach and Assistant Hockey Operations.

DePaolo spent 13  seasons as the Head Coach at Dallas Baptist University (2013–2025), where he helped build and lead the Patriots’ ACHA hockey program. In addition to his coaching career, he brings a strong professional background in Human Resources, having served as a Senior HR Representative and as an HR Strategic Project Manager.

A lifelong learner, DePaolo earned his Bachelor of Applied Science in Management from Park University in Parkville, MO, before completing both a Master of Management in Human Resources and a Master of Business Administration in Conflict Resolution from Dallas Baptist University.

With his unique blend of coaching experience, leadership skills, and academic training, DePaolo invests in the Knights’ players by helping them develop as athletes and as individuals of character.