Andy Ness is a highly respected skating and skills coach with over 20 years of experience developing hockey players at every level.

He began his career under the mentorship of his mother, Diane Ness, a renowned skating coach, and has since built an impressive resume in professional hockey. For the past decade, Andy has served as the Minnesota Wild’s skating and skills coach, working on the off-season development of NHL and AHL players and assisting with rehabilitation skating during the season.

Ness also owns and operates Pro Edge Power, a skating company located in the Twin Cities, and has served as a consultant for numerous teams and players throughout his career. His previous roles include Assistant Skating Coach with the New Jersey Devils (2008–2012), where he contributed to their 2012 Stanley Cup Final run, and consulting for the University of Minnesota and the USA Women’s Olympic Hockey Team in 2010. He and his wife, Katie, have two daughters, Elaina and Olivia, and a son, Johnny. The family resides in Shakopee.

Taylor Heise is a 2x Walter Cup Champion, Playoff MVP, future USA Hockey Olympian, and regarded as one of the top young talents in the PWHL.

Born and raised in Lake City, Minnesota, Heise grew up in a basketball family and didn’t lace up her skates until the age of eight. Despite the later start to her hockey journey, Heise’s athleticism and competitive spirit fueled a rapid rise through the state’s hockey ranks.

After playing youth and high school hockey in Lake City and Red Wing, Heise attended the University of Minnesota and became one of the nation’s top forwards, capturing the 2022 Patty Kazmaier Award as the best player in NCAA women’s hockey. That same year, she shined on the international stage, leading Team USA with 18 points at the IIHF Women’s World Championship, the most by any player in nearly three decades. In 2023, Heise made history as the first overall pick in the inaugural PWHL Draft, selected by Minnesota. She delivered immediately, helping her hometown team to the league’s first championship and claiming Playoff MVP honors in her rookie season.

Ben Simon is entering his third season as an assistant coach with the Iowa Wild.

Prior to joining the team, he spent eight seasons with the Grand Rapids Griffins. He served as an assistant coach for Grand Rapids from 2015-18 and won a Calder Cup in 2017 before being promoted to head coach for the 2018-19 season. Simon also served as the assistant coach of the Toronto Marlies (2014-15), head coach of the Cincinnati Cyclones (2013-14), and assistant coach of the Rockford IceHogs (2011-13).  

During his playing career, Simon skated in 81 NHL games, split between the Atlanta Thrashers and Columbus Blue Jackets. The Shaker Heights, Ohio native also added 188 points in 481 AHL games with the Chicago Wolves, Milwaukee Admirals, Syracuse Crunch, Grand Rapids Griffins, and Toronto Marlies. Simon won a Calder Cup with the Chicago Wolves in 2002 and a Turner Cup in the IHL with the Orlando Solar Bears in 2001."

Richard Bachman, enjoyed a decade-long professional goaltending career that spanned the NHL, AHL, ECHL and SHL before becoming the Goaltending Coach for the Iowa Wild in 2020. A fourth-round pick of the Dallas Stars in 2006, he debuted in the NHL in 2010 and earned his first win with a 26-save performance against Los Angeles in 2011. Bachman went on to play 49 NHL games with Dallas, Edmonton, and Vancouver, recording two shutouts.

In the AHL, he appeared in 264 games with Texas, Oklahoma City, and Utica, posting a 133-95-17 record, 16 shutouts, and earning 2015 AHL All-Star honors. Before turning pro, he starred at Colorado College (NCAA), where he played two standout seasons. Bachman also competed internationally in the SHL with IK Oskarshamn.

Now transitioning into coaching, Bachman brings elite-level playing experience, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of the game to developing the next generation of goaltenders.

Ryan Blanck is the Founder & CEO of Deviate, a performance coaching company specializing in culture, people development and retreats. Coined as the "horse whisperer for NFL executives", Ryan Blanck is an expert in bringing out the best in high-performance leaders.

Known for his infectious enthusiasm, authenticity and ability to clearly communicate his message, Blanck has worked with executives and staff from over half of the NFL's teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings - and is regarded as one of the game's most transformational coaches.

Troy Ward, Minnesota State’s Associate Head Coach since 2023, brings over three decades of coaching and management experience across junior, collegiate, professional, and international hockey. In his first two seasons, he helped guide the Mavericks to a CCHA Mason Cup Championship, an NCAA Tournament berth, and the 2024–25 MacNaughton Cup title.

Ward’s extensive resume includes NHL experience as an assistant with the Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–2000), where he coached stars like Jaromir Jagr and Ron Francis, and AHL head coaching success with Abbotsford, compiling a 119–83 record. He has also served on coaching staffs at Denver, Wisconsin, and UW–Eau Claire, where he began his career. Ward has developed numerous NHL players, including Joe Pavelski and Brian Elliott, and earned ECHL Coach of the Year honors in 2001. With a reputation for teaching, leadership, and player development, Ward continues to be a valuable asset in building Minnesota State’s tradition of excellence.

Katy Johnson is the founder of Katy Jo Power Skating and a nationally recognized skating coach who has worked with thousands of athletes from youth to NCAA, junior, and professional levels. With a background in competitive skating and a deep understanding of movement mechanics, she created the KJ Skating Intelligence™ Method, a neuro-backed development system that blends biomechanics, motor learning, and cognitive training.

Her approach focuses on building smarter, more efficient skaters by teaching skating habits that transfer to real game play.

Danny Heath is a player development coach and founder of Project Hockey, dedicated to improving decision-making, Hockey IQ, and overall skill for players at every level.

A native of Arizona, Heath played youth hockey before advancing to the USHL for three seasons and competing at the NCAA Division I level with Minnesota State University. His playing career was cut short due to concussions, leading him to transition into coaching as a student assistant at Minnesota State. Over the past decade, Heath has worked with athletes from youth programs to the NHL, focusing on teaching players to play with their eyes up, process the game quickly, and make smarter decisions. Through Project Hockey, his “Eyes feed the Wolf” philosophy has reached players around the world, equipping them with the habits and mindset needed for success on the ice.

Dr. Justin Anderson is a licensed sport psychologist and the Founder & CEO of Premier Sport Psychology. With over 20 years of experience, he currently serves as the High-Performance Psychology Director for the Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Timberwolves, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings, and University of Minnesota’s Leadership U program.

Justin and his team have worked extensively with collegiate and professional hockey programs, and Premier will be supporting the U.S. Women’s National Team through the 2026 Olympic Games. A former collegiate quarterback, Justin is a trusted speaker and national media contributor known for helping high performers master their attention, mindset, and resilience under pressure.