Hockey Operations

COACHING STAFF:

General Manager: Dave Boitz

Dave Boitz has been an integral part of the Wilderness Hockey Organization for the last seven seasons, serving at the Wilderness General Manager. During this time, The Wilderness claimed the Robertson Cup in 2015 and Dave Boitz was recognized as the 2017 GM Of The Year.

Prior to working with The Wilderness, Boitz was the Head Coach and General Manager of the Alaska Avalanche, from 2008–2011. During his time with the Avalanche, the team rose from the bottom of the league into a team that was able to contend for a playoff spot each year, winning over 30 games in their last two seasons.

Previous to the Alaska Avalanche, Boitz was part of the inaugural season for the North Iowa Outlaws, where he was Head Coach and GM for three seasons. During Boitz’s time in Iowa, the Outlaws elevated to one of the top teams in the NAHL, winning the Central Division Title in 2008. During the same year, the North Iowa Outlaws were also recognized as Organization of the Year in the NAHL.

Boitz’s first season coaching in the NAHL came during the inaugural season of the then Alexandria (Brookings) blizzard in 2003. After getting a late start in their first season, they came back as a serious contender in their second season, competing in the Robertson Cup playoffs.

Before coaching in the NAHL, Boitz spent over 8 years coaching in the Alexandria hockey association, both as a bantam and high school boys hockey coach. Boitz’s teams in Alexandria would consistently compete in State championships and brought home several Conference Championship titles.

Head Coach: Brett Skinner

Coach Skinner joins The Wilderness after spending 5 season as an Assistant Coach with the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL.  During his time with the Stampede he was a part of the 2018-19 Clark Cup Championship team, and helped with developing 11 players that went on to be drafted into the NHL including Cole Sillinger and Ryan Johnson who were 1st round picks.
Skinner entered coaching after completing a 12 year professional career that saw him play in the NHL as well as over 500 games in the AHL and several pro leagues in Europe. He was part of the 2011-12 Calder Cup Championship team of the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.
In college Skinner attended the University of Denver and was a member of the Back to Back National Championship teams of 2004 and 2005 as well as an All-American in 2005.
Skinner is a native of Brandon Manitoba and calls Sioux Falls, SD home in the summers where his wife Katie is a dentist, and they have two young boys Thomas (4) and William (2).

Assistant Coach: Patrick “Packy” Munson

Coach Munson joins The Wilderness after spending the past 4 seasons playing professionally, 1 in North America and the other 3 in Europe.
This will be Packy’s first year serving in a coaching role after an extensive Junior, College, and professional career. He won an NAHL championship with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs back in 2014 and an NCAA Championship with Denver University in 2017.
In addition to the above championships, Coach Munson was a part of the WCHA playoff winning Michigan Tech team where he was named the WCHA Playoff MVP.
We are very excited to have Packy join our coaching staff and are confident he will soon become a staple within this organization.

Media Broadcaster: Marty Hill

Marty has been a fixture with the Wilderness since its debut season in 2012-2013.

As the online play-by-play voice on hockeytv.com, he has seen the team celebrate championships in two different leagues, interviewed numerous players & coaches on YouTube & the CAT-7 program Into the Wilderness, and called hundreds of goals both home & away.  Marty’s broadcasting work also includes radio play-by-play for local area high school football, baseball, softball and hockey.  

A native of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Marty has lived in Cloquet since 2003 and has a 16-year old son. He encourages interaction during his broadcasts, so if you would like to contact Marty, he is available at wildernesshockey@yahoo.com or through Twitter @MartyHill_MN.  

                                                    You can watch all Wilderness games on hockeytv.com

Head of Player Personnel : 
Kevin Smalley
ksmalley@wildernesshockey.com | 218-391-1050

SCOUTING STAFF:

Head Scout: 

Sean Fish | Minnesota
sfish011@hotmail.com | 763-607-2567
Kevin Smalley | Minnesota
Joe Allen | Michigan/Ontario
Jallen2187@gmail.com | 734-558-2435
Aran Ward | New England
aranward89@gmail.com | 978-877-9745