COACHING STAFF
ALEC HAGAMAN
GM / HEAD COACH
Alec Hagaman enters his first season as General Manager and Head Coach of the Minnesota Blue Ox, becoming just the second head coach in organization history. Hagaman brings a championship mindset, proven leadership, and a modern approach to player development as he leads the Blue Ox into a new era.
Hagaman enjoyed an accomplished professional playing career in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), where he was a longtime standout—primarily with the Peoria Rivermen. Serving as a team captain, he helped lead his teams to three championships and earned President’s Cup MVP honors on two of those title runs. Known for his competitiveness and high hockey IQ, Hagaman was one of the league’s most consistent offensive producers, recording multiple 50+ point seasons, including a 71-point campaign in 2021–22. He remains among the top point producers in SPHL history.
Following his playing career, Hagaman transitioned into coaching, serving as an Associate Coach during the 2023–2024 season before continuing his development as a Skills Coach with one of the nation’s premier hockey development organizations. His coaching philosophy blends elite skill development with a strong emphasis on accountability, culture, and team-first play—aligned with the Blue Ox mission of Community. TEAM. Championships.
Hagaman is committed to building a program that develops players both on and off the ice, preparing them for advancement to higher levels of hockey while creating an environment centered on discipline, growth, and competition.
Alec and his wife, Emily, have two children, Paxton and Adley.
JAKE JOHNSON
ASSISTANT COACH
Jake Johnson is a Minnesota-based hockey coach and player development leader for the last 13 years; with experience spanning U8 youth hockey through junior hockey levels. His background includes youth, AAA, high school, prospects, and junior coaching, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the player pathway at every stage of development.
Johnson most recently served as Head Coach of the Minnesota Mallards, where he led all aspects of the junior program including systems implementation, practice planning, video review, player development, staff leadership, and daily team operations. He also served as AAA Director, helping oversee development opportunities for elite youth and prospect players.
At the youth level, Johnson currently serves as Head Coach of the Minnesota Green Giants U14 Prospects team, guiding the program to back to back national tournament appearances while helping players prepare for AAA, high school, and junior opportunities. Throughout his coaching career, teams under his leadership have advanced to regional, state, and national competition.
Johnson is also the founder of A.H.E.A.D. Training, where he has worked with athletes from youth through professional levels. His development work focuses on skating habits, hockey IQ, defensive detail, goaltender development, and long-term advancement.
Before transitioning into full-time coaching, Johnson spent seven years as an educator, a background that continues to shape his coaching style through strong communication, accountability, mentorship, and structured player development.
Known for building positive culture and maximizing player growth, Johnson brings a modern development mindset rooted in discipline, relationships, and helping athletes reach the next level.
His coaching background across multiple age groups gives him a unique perspective on the full development pathway—from early fundamentals to elite youth hockey to junior advancement.
KATRINA STEWART
SKATING COACH
Katrina Stewart joins the Minnesota Blue Ox as the team’s Skating Coach for the inaugural 2026–2027 NCDC season, bringing a strong background in skating development and player performance.
Based in Minnesota, Stewart has built a reputation as a highly detail-oriented skating coach, working with athletes across youth, high school, and junior levels. Her approach focuses on edge control, stride efficiency, balance, and power generation—key components that translate directly to in-game performance and overall player advancement.
Stewart has extensive experience helping players refine their skating mechanics while improving speed, agility, and mobility. She is known for her ability to break down complex movements into teachable, repeatable habits that allow athletes to make measurable progress.
As part of the Blue Ox staff, Stewart will play a critical role in enhancing the team’s overall pace of play and individual player development, aligning with the organization’s commitment to building a fast, disciplined, and development-first program.
Her addition marks an important step in establishing a high-performance environment as the Blue Ox enter their first season in the NCDC.
TRAINING STAFF
ALLYSON OBERNOLTE, LAT, ATC
ALLINA HEALTH ORTHOPEDICS / ATHLETIC TRAINER
Allyson graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2015 with a Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Athletic Training and a minor in Public Health Education and Promotion. She has experience working with youth, high school, adult amateur, and NCAA division I, II, and III athletic events. The sports that she has worked with include hockey, basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, lacrosse, baseball, softball, track and field, football, soccer volleyball, cross country, and mountain bike racing.
Allyson has been with Allina since April 2021. She had been working for Blue Line Medical Services, LLC for a little over two years. She works at youth, high school, and adult amateur athletic events all over the Twin Cities metro area.
Allyson is from and currently resides in Saint Paul. When she is not working she enjoys long walks with her dog, Miley, plays tennis, goes to concerts, and likes to check out local breweries.
