|
TEAM OWNER - Joe DibbleJoe established the Northwest Express to provide players a platform to develop and advance their hockey careers. When Joe stepped away from the bench as a coach it was important to continue his passion of player development and advancement. Taking everything he learned as a coach he developed a three-pillar formula for players to have the opportunity to receive elite on ice training, high level exposure camps and finally player advising. Joe has now been a Junior A Hockey owner for 8 years.
Joe brings a history of success as a Head Coach and General Manager in the North American Hockey League and NCAA Division 3. Joe was the Assistant Coach at Augsburg University in 2017-2018 season, where he helped guide the Auggies to a MIAC Championship and a NCAA tournament appearance. Joe was the Head Coach and General Manager of the Janesville Jets from 2012 to 2017, where the Jets compiled a record of 180-90-27 and two Division Titles and four straight playoff runs advancing to the Robertson Cup Finals in 2014 and 2016. He was also named Coach of the year in 2014 for the North Division and in 2016 for the Midwest Division. Joe was also named the Head Coach of the North Division Top Prospects team in 2014 and Head Coach of the 2016 Midwest Division Top Prospects team, and named the Assistant Coach of the NAHL Selects team in 2015.Prior to joining the Jets, Joe was with the Springfield Jr. Blues of the North American Hockey League for three season, starting as the Assistant in 2009. Joe took over as Head Coach and General Manager of the Jr. Blues midway through the 2010 season, where he remained Head Coach/GM until 2012 where he made the move to the Janesville Jets. Through his ten seasons as Head Coach and or GM in the North American Hockey League, Joe helped advance over 90 players to NCAA Division I and III college hockey, had over 25 players drafted in the USHL, and 2 players selected in the NHL Entry Draft. While coaching in the North American Hockey League, Joe has had a mission to develop not only good hockey players who can compete at the next level, but also to ensure they grow to be engaged and responsible members of their community. |
|
GENERAL MANAGER - Jon JonassonJon Jonasson enters Season 8 as the General Manager for the Northwest Express, Jon was the Head Coach and GM of the Minnesota Moose from 2017-2023. Jon looks to help continue the success of the Minnesota Moose who have an above .770 overall win percentage, over 100 player advancements in 7 years and 5 out of 6 trips to Nationals in 6 seasons as Head Coach. Jon is very excited for the transition of the Minnesota Moose to the Northwest Express, along with the relocation to Spooner, WI.
Jon brings 10+ years of coaching experience at all levels. Jon is from Bloomington, MN where he played 3 years of Varsity hockey for Bloomington Kennedy. Following high school hockey Jon played 3 years of Junior Hockey in the MNJHL for the Twin Cities Northern Lights and the Minnesota Owls. After his junior career he had a short stint at the Minor Professional level with Evansville Icemen of the AAHL in 2009 before he decided to continue his coaching career. Jon spent 2010-2011 as an Associate Coach of the Phoenix Polar Bears Junior A team of the WSHL where his contributions led them to a trip to the Western Division Championship. In 2011-2012 Jon was the director of recruiting for the Cheyenne Stampede for their inaugural season, having a helping hand in the team having a successful first season. While recruiting for the Stampede, Jon also coached a Bantam AA team in Minnesota’s strongest district leading the Chaska/Chanhassen team to a .700 record and reaching the VFW championship. From 2014-2016 Jon was the Head Coach and General Manager of the Helena Bighorns Junior A team in the NA3HL out of Helena, MT. While with the Bighorns he held a solid winning record in a strong division in the last 2 seasons. In his first year with Helena, Jon led the team to the Frontier Division championship coming just short of 1 point in being in the Silver Cup. 2016-2017 he was the Head Coach of the Breezy Point North Stars in the NA3HL, posting the most successful season in the team’s history in wins and player advancements. The Moose have led the USPHL Midwest in player advancements to the NAHL, NCAA D1, NCAA D3 and ACHA D1, along with wins and losses (159-30-6) under Jon Jonasson as Head Coach and General Manager. Since entering the Junior coaching ranks he has moved over 100+ players on to the next level including USHL, NAHL, NCAA Div 1, NCAA Div 3, ACHA D1. Jon was an Assistant Coach for the Janesville Jets of the North American Hockey League for the 2023-24 season. Jon helped build three of the best teams in Jets history as a scout. Jon assisted building one of the best teams in the history of the North American Hockey League in 2014-2015 when the Jets set the record for wins (49) points (100) and fewest goals against (114). Since Jon joined the Jets scouting staff the Jets have had 50+ NCAA commitments, two divisional titles and two Robertson Cup Appearances. Jon currently lives in Andover, MN with his wife Kellie and his daughters Skylar(11) and Charley(9), along with their family dog Marley. Phone: (952) 457-0525 Email: [email protected] |
|
HEAD COACH- Nic LeiboldNic Leibold begins as head coach in the first year of the Northwest Express. Before the Express, Nic was the head coach of the Minnesota Moose for one season. Nic previously served on the Moose coaching staff in various capacities that involved working with the defenseman and goaltenders, as well as working closely with players on video and pre-scout meetings. Although Nic is originally from Lincoln, NE he is no stranger to the northern Mid-West as he played most of his youth hockey for Eastview Hockey Association. His first years of high school hockey experience also came at Eastview High School before transferring to Legacy Christian Academy for his final years. Upon graduating from high school, Nic played one year of ACHA hockey at Bethel University in Arden Hills, MN. Since his playing days have ended, Nic has spent many hours at the rink, working with players of all ages- from Mites to Pros.
As a coach, Nic takes pride in getting to know players and helping them achieve their goals both on and off the ice. Especially at the junior level, he believes it is important for players to be set up for success in advancing their careers. Whether this is NCAA, ACHA, USHL, NAHL, NCDC, or Pro Hockey, each player has a different path, and Nic believes it essential to assist each player in their development path to take the next step in their career. Nic is excited to continue this goal with the Express and help players get to the next level. Nic plans to move to Spooner before the season starts with his wife Rachel, newborn daughter Winnie, and Chocolate Lab Bella. Phone: (952) 388-4765 Email: [email protected] |
|
ASSISTANT COACH / STRENGTH COACH
|
|
TEAM ATHLETIC TRAINER - Erik LarsonErik Larson, DPT is committed to providing the best quality of care for his patients. As clinic owner, director and Northwest Athletic Trainer, his goal is for the team to not only meet their patients’ expectations but exceed them. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences in 2008 and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2011 from the College of St. Scholastica. Following his education, he worked in and managed a variety of settings including skilled nursing facilities, sub-acute rehab and outpatient physical therapy clinics.
Erik is a native of Washburn County, and he enjoys the challenge of exploring and learning new ways to better meet our community's needs. Erik hold experience in a vast amount of treatment specializations including specializes in sports medicine, orthopedics, pediatric rehabilitation, dry needling, spinal care and aquatic therapy. Stop in and see Erik at either the Spooner or Hayward location! |
|
BILLET COORDINATOR - Samantha MillerPhone: (715) 520-0796
Sam has a long-standing connection to both the sport of hockey and the community surrounding the Northwest Express. As a first-year billet coordinator, she brings a wealth of personal experience and passion to her role, having been involved in billeting for nearly 20 years.
Her family’s journey into the world of hockey began when they billeted a player in 2002. That first experience left a lasting impression, and over the years, she and her family have continued to open their home to players, fostering the growth of young athletes both on and off the ice. This long-standing commitment to billeting has only strengthened her bond with the Northwest Express organization. In fact, it was during her very first years of billeting that she met the owner of the Northwest Express, that would later lead to her taking on the role of billet coordinator. Today, she is the proud mother of two boys: the eldest, who started playing hockey nearly 20 years ago, and her youngest, a current peewee player. Her deep love for the game, combined with her firsthand experience as both a parent and a billet, allows her to connect with families and players in a unique and meaningful way. As a local nursing supervisor and billet coordinator, Sam is known for her exceptional organizational skills and her unwavering dedication to creating the best possible experience for both the players and the billet families. She is passionate about fostering a supportive and welcoming environment, ensuring that each player feels at home while becoming an integral part of the community. Her commitment to the Northwest Express extends beyond just the hockey rink, she values the relationships built within the community and is driven to continue the tradition of excellence that the club represents. |
