Steel Announce Ownership Transfer and Coaching Change
April 16, 2021 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Chippewa Steel News Release
Chippewa Falls, WI - The Chippewa Steel owner Steve Black has agreed to transfer ownership of the Chippewa Steel, a member of the North American Hockey League, to the Kasik family. Steve Black brought the Chippewa Steel franchise to the Chippewa Valley in April of 2018. Along with the transfer of ownership the Kasik family has also reached a 3-year lease extension through the 2023-2024 season for Chippewa Area Ice Arena.
Kelly Kasik was born and raised in the Bay Area in California, specifically Cupertino. She has a Business Management degree from Menlo College and has been in Real Estate, most recently investing, for the past 16 years.
Her husband Geoff Stahl grew up in Maryland where he went to the University of Maryland, College Park earning a degree in Physical Sciences (Aerospace Engineering/Computer Science). He joined the Navy, flying E-2s and FA-18s for 8 years, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Commander. After leaving the Navy he joined Apple Inc. where he has been for the last 21 years.
Kelly & Geoff have 2 fantastic kids. Zachary (12) is a goalie for the San Jose Jr. Sharks 12U AA team and a daughter Emma (15) is a center back playing soccer for MCLA's ECNL team, starting to look at colleges and NCAA programs.
"We are so excited about this opportunity to be the new owners of the Chippewa Steel. We love hockey and are looking forward to growing the organization and supporting these young men achieve their goals on and off the ice. The Chippewa Valley is a fantastic area, and we are so lucky to have your support. We can't wait to meet everyone!" stated Kelly Kasik.
Kasik also announced that Mike Janda has been named the team's new Head Coach and General Manager. For the past nine years, Janda has served as the Director of Coaches and Development Coordinator of the San Jose Jr. Sharks. He also served as the Jr. Sharks head coach for the 16U AAA team and the head coach for San Jose State University in the ACHA.
Janda is a former NAHL player himself, playing for the Springfield Spirit during the 2004-05 season. Janda then played NCAA Division I hockey at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York from 2007-11, going to the Frozen Four in 2010. After graduation, he wound up in San Jose. Janda does have coaching experience in the NAHL, as he spent the 2012-13 as an assistant coach with the Springfield Jr. Blues.
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