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USHL Sioux Falls Stampede

Stampede Name Kevin Hartzell GM/Head Coach

April 26, 2005 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release


Sioux Falls, SD--The Sioux Falls Stampede announced today that they have hired Kevin Hartzell as their new General Manager/Head Coach.

A native of St. Paul, MN, Hartzell brings an incredible hockey background to Sioux Falls. As a player, Hartzell played for Doug Woog and the St. Paul Vulcans of the United States Hockey League where he served as team captain for the 1977-78 season. While in St. Paul, Hartzell led the Vulcans to both the league and playoff championships. His hard work in St. Paul earned him a spot on the U.S. World Junior Team in 1978 in Montreal where he faced-off against Wayne Gretzky and Team Canada. He finished the tournament as USA's second leading scorer.

After juniors, Hartzell received a scholarship to play for the legendary coach, Herb Brooks at the University of Minnesota. While with the Gophers, Hartzell captained the Gophers to an NCAA National Championship in 1979, an NCAA Runner-up and a WCHA Championship.

"Kevin was captain of every team he played for," said Stampede owner/CEO Gary Weckwerth. "He was never a flashy scorer but was always at or near the top in assists. Being a leader and a player that likes to set up scoring chances has translated into his success as coach. His passion is to make players better."

After a brief stint playing minor professional hockey, Hartzell returned to the USHL and the St. Paul Vulcans in 1983 as Head Coach. In six seasons with the Vulcans, Hartzell posted a 195-83-8 record and guided the Vulcans to the Anderson Cup and Clark Cup championships during the ‘83-84' season. His teams were in the finals three of the six years he coached in St. Paul. Hartzell left the USHL after the 1988-89 season to take a job as national sales manager for KSTP-TV in Minneapolis. He left as the all-time franchise leader in wins with a winning percentage of .701. That ranks Hartzell third all-time in the USHL behind Sioux City's Dave Sicliano (.712) and Omaha's Mike Hastings (.702).

"Kevin has wanted this job for the last two years, and everything is about timing," added Weckwerth. "The minute we made the coaching change, the calls endorsing Kevin were unbelievable. Once we got to know him more, we knew that he was our guy for the long haul. He cares about people and shares the same values that my partners and I do."

"My passion is to coach," adds Hartzell. "Friends and family have asked me many times why I don't do this for a living. All I have ever wanted was the Sioux Falls job and my family and I are so happy that the timing is right. I love to coach and teach young men."

Although Hartzell has been out of the USHL for a few years, he has remained a successful coach at the junior level. He has coached several former and current Stampede players and is credited with the development of the Minnesota High School Elite League. In 2002 he led Team Northeast to their first ever Upper Midwest High School Elite Hockey League Championship and was also named coach of one of the league's All-Star teams where he led that squad to a runner-up finish to hockey powerhouse, Shattuck-St. Mary's (in overtime) in the leagues national tournament. Two weeks ago, Hartzell guided Team Minnesota to their first championship in three years at the Chicago Hockey Showcase.

Kevin currently resides in White Bear Lake, MN with his wife MaryBeth and three children, who are looking forward to the move to Sioux Falls.

Giving back to the community is also a big priority in Hartzell's life. Hartzell is the Executive Director of the "Herb Brooks Foundation" which is dedicated to providing more opportunities for kids to play hockey in memory of Herb Brooks. The program supports programs that emphasize the development of youth hockey players and coaches throughout the country. The program also gives out the "Herb Brooks Award" each year at the Minnesota State High School hockey tournament which is awarded to the most qualified player in the state tournament who represents the values, characteristics and traits that defined Herb Brooks.

Hartzell also co-owns the company, ProGuard, which sells a complete line of hockey accessories. Due to family and business commitments, Hartzell was not able to be in Sioux Falls today. He will be officially introduced at a press conference next Tuesday, May 2nd at 3:30 PM at the Sioux Falls Arena. All media members and fans are welcome to attend this special conference. Hartzell along with the Stampede staff will also be hosting a social gathering starting at 4:30 PM next Tuesday at the Arena for season ticket holders, housing families, sponsors and fans who would like to meet Kevin and his family.

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 26, 2005


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