NICK ZAWACKI

OWNER / MAJORITY PARTNER / CEO

Nick became part of the Blue Ox organization in 2025 when he and his wife, Megan, purchased a majority stake in the team. A lifelong enthusiast of sports, Nick took a brief hiatus from high-level athletics to focus on starting a family. After connecting with Jay and Gary, the timing was perfect for him to jump back into the world of competitive sport.

Originally from Howell, Michigan—a small town just outside Detroit—Nick grew up during the heyday of Red Wings hockey. Winters were spent on frozen ponds, stick in hand, and summers on the baseball field. A standout athlete, Nick earned a scholarship to play NCAA Division II baseball at the University of Minnesota-Crookston.

After his collegiate playing career, Nick transitioned into coaching, spending eight seasons as an assistant coach at the college level. His pitching staffs consistently produced All-Conference players and broke numerous school records. Still, Nick measures success by the number of wedding invitations and baby announcements he receives from former players.

In parallel with his coaching career, Nick has also excelled in the business world, holding executive leadership roles across industries ranging from retail to fintech. Known for building high-performing TEAMs, he draws heavily from his athletic background and is a dedicated student of leadership, strongly aligned with the principles of Extreme Ownership.

Beyond the rink and the boardroom, Nick is an avid ultra-marathoner with a deep interest in health and fitness. He’s also a passionate hunter who enjoys time in the woods with his bow. Nick is married to his college sweetheart, Megan, and is a proud, hands-on dad to their two daughters, Zoey and Myla.

MEGAN ZAWACKI

OWNER / MAJORITY PARTNER / COO

When Nick brought the opportunity to join the Blue Ox to Megan, it didn’t take much convincing—she was all in from the start. A native of Owatonna, Minnesota, Megan practically grew up on skates, and the chance to raise her daughters immersed in the hockey lifestyle was a dream realized.

Megan spent her childhood attending Owatonna Express NAHL games and built a fierce reputation on the ice playing youth hockey. She went on to play five seasons of Varsity hockey for the Owatonna Huskies, captaining the team during her final two years. Known for her gritty, physical style, Megan set records for goals, points—and unsurprisingly—penalty minutes. Her high school success earned her a spot on the NCAA Division III team at Hamline University.

She later transferred to the University of Minnesota–Crookston to pursue her other lifelong passion: equestrian sports. Riding in the western discipline, Megan helped her team earn several IHSA Regional appearances. After college, she continued to feed her competitive spirit by playing in adult hockey leagues across the Midwest and training and showing horses at a high level.

Professionally, Megan has thrived in customer-facing roles, leading operational transformations for some of the top animal science companies in the country. She brings a relentless work ethic and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, grounded in the principles of Extreme Ownership and disciplined execution.

Outside of the rink and her professional career, Megan can usually be found at the barn working with her horse, Brooks—named in honor of legendary coach Herb Brooks. Her greatest passion, though, is raising her two daughters, Zoey and Myla, and passing down the same toughness, grit, and love for life that have always defined her.

JAY WITTA

FOUNDER / OWNER / USA Hockey Level 4 Certified Coaching Certification

Jay Witta enters his 12th year in Junior A hockey and tenth season with the Minnesota Blue Ox, where he now serves as a minority owner. One of the most respected figures in the organization’s history, Witta previously spent nine seasons as the Blue Ox Head Coach and General Manager, building a foundation that continues to shape the program today.

Over the course of his coaching career, Witta compiled over 330 wins, while leading the Blue Ox to three National Tournament appearances in the program’s first six seasons. His commitment to player advancement has been a hallmark of his career, helping promote more than 20 players to the Tier 2 level and over 40 players to NCAA and ACHA college hockey programs.

Prior to joining the Blue Ox, Witta served as Head Coach of the NA3HL’s New Ulm Steel, where he posted a 67-33-10 record over two seasons, highlighted by a National Tournament semifinal appearance (2015–16) and a Western Division Final run (2016–17). In addition to coaching, he was heavily involved in all aspects of operations, including budgeting, league relations, recruiting, player transactions, facilities, and player development.

A native of Minnetonka, Witta captained Minnetonka High School and led the program to its first Lake Conference Championship, earning All-Conference honors. He was recruited by Herb Brooks to join the inaugural Division I program at St. Cloud State University, where he competed as a walk-on defenseman.

Witta also played Junior A hockey with the Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) before a heart condition ended his playing career. He has since dedicated more than 25 years to coaching youth hockey and previously served on the Minnetonka Youth Hockey Board.

Jay and his wife Sara reside in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and have four sons: Bennett, Brody, Brooks, and Griffin.

GARY HEGENES

OWNER / PARTNER

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).