OWNERSHIP GROUP

JAY WITTA

OWNER / GM / HEAD COACH / USA Hockey Level 4 Certified Coaching Certification

Coach Witta is in his 9th year of Junior A’ hockey and 7th year with the Blue Ox. Jay’s career junior A’ coaching record is 302-114-14 and he has helped guide the Blue Ox to three National Tournament appearances in the first six years. Witta has also helped promote over 20 players to the TIER 2 LEVEL as well as 40+ players onto NCAA/ACHA college hockey.

Prior to purchasing the Blue Ox, Witta had been the head coach of the NA3HL’s Junior A’ hockey team the New Ulm Steel. Witta completed a 67-33-10 two year record with a National Tourney semifinal appearance 2015/16 and a Western Division playoff final loss to the eventual National Champion, Granite City 2016/17.  Jay worked daily with the Steel ownership in all aspects of the business – budgets, league communications, recruiting, trades, facilities, core value accountability, parent communication and player advancement.

Jay is a Minnetonka, Minnesota native, played three years for the Minnetonka Skippers from 1985-87 where he was named captain his Senior season and helped guide the Skippers to their first ever Lake Conference Championship and was honored with an All-Conference Team selection. Witta was recruited by Herb Brooks at St. Cloud State University in 1987 to play on the inaugural SCSU Division 1 squad. After entertaining offers from various Division 1 & 3 programs across the country, Witta chose to stay close to home and attend St. Cloud State University as a walk on defenseman.

Witta also played Junior A’ hockey in Humboldt, Saask. for the Broncos (SJHL) before an undetected heart issue caused him to retire and return back to Minnesota. Witta has been coaching youth for the past 25 seasons and served on the Minnetonka Youth Hockey Board for 2 years. Witta resides in Minnetonka with his wife Sara and their four boys. Bennett, Brody, Brooks and Griffin.

GARY HEGENES

PARTNER / OWNER

Gary joined the Blue Ox team by aquiring a percentage of the Boudreau’s ownership shares in February of 2021. Jay and Gary have known each other through business and youth sports circles for the last 10 years, and when the opportunity arose for Gary to become part of the Blue Ox organization, well the timing could not have been better.  He is a lifelong hockey player and hockey fan!

Gary is also a Founder/Owner in Breakaway Hockey Academy in Edina, Minnesota which specializes in furthering education for school kids with a passion for hockey excellence. Breakaway Academy has helped develop NHL drafted players such as Bobby Brink, MIke Koster, Drew Helleson, Jackson Lacombe, Rhett Pitlick and many more high end college and international players. www.BreakawayAcademy.net

Gary also has a passion for real estate development as well as giving back to many local youth charities. Organizations include: The Boys and Girls Club (clubs for inner city youth), CCTP (helping felons reenter the work force), Student Venture (developing student leaders), and Big Brothers Big Sisters (pairing youths with adult mentors – 40 years of involvement).

BRUCE BOUDREAU

PARTNER / OWNER

Currently serving as a consultant to the OHL Jr A’ Team – Niagara Ice Dogs and works weekly on NHL broadcasts. Bruce previously served as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild. As a player, Boudreau played professionally for 20 seasons, logging 141 games in the NHL and 30 games in the World Hockey Association (WHA). He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Chicago Black Hawks of the NHL and the Minnesota Fighting Saints of the WHA. Boudreau won the Jack Adams Award for the NHL’s most outstanding head coach in the 2007–08 NHL season during his tenure with the Capitals.

Bruce and Crystal Boudreau were instrumental in starting the Blue Ox organization in 2017 with Jay Witta and Terri Miller. Since that time the Boudreau’s have relocated to Hershey, PA and are enjoying their 3rd season owning/operating the Hershey Cubs USPHL Premier Jr A Hockey Club.

Bruce has also owned and operated a youth camp in St. Catherines, Ontario called The Golden Horseshoe Hockey School. Started by Bruce and his family, sons Ben, Andy and Brady, they set out with the intention to make learning the game fun and give kids a great summer hockey experience. 35 years later, their primary focus is still the same. Their professional coaching staff, along side their motivated support staff, provide an opportunity to learn the game of hockey and develop in a pressure-free environment.

Bruce currently resides in Hershey, Pennyslvainia with his wife Crystal and their New Foundland Dog, Dixie.

CRYSTAL BOUDREAU

PARTNER / OWNER

Obviously, an avid hockey fan and Mom. Crystal brings a wealth of hockey operations, administrative and marketing skills to the Blue Ox Executive team. She has been a very active addition in the Boudreau family summer hockey camp in St. Catherine’s, Ontario for the last 25 years, as well as served on the MN Wild Foundation committee. Crystal currently resides in Hershey, Pennyslvainia with Bruce and their New Foundland Dog, Dixie.