2015 Duluth Coaching Staff

Please note… the 2016 coaching staff will be announced shortly!

Team Northwest continually strives for excellence in providing our players with challenging drills, competition and overall experience. Our passion for excellence is further delivered by the outstanding coaches that have embraced our program. 2015 we continued to demonstrate that passion and were excited to announce the 2015 coaches below! They did an amazing job and look forward to the 2016 season.

Jr Prospects Landon Wilson~ Landon’s passion for hockey, coupled with his extensive NHL and AHL hockey career, provide him with the necessary perspective and experience to create an environment of challenge, success, and achievement offering players the opportunity to excel and reach their hockey potential. Landon’s vision is to create a nationally recognized youth hockey organization with emphasis on player development, organization development, competition, character and discipline, both on and off the ice.
Landon was drafted in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Wilson made his NHL debut with the Stanley Cup winning Colorado Avalanche in the 1995-96 season. Wilson has also played for the Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, Phoenix Coyotes and Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL.
In addition, Landon was the captain of the Texas Stars that reached the Calder Cup in their first year, won the Calder Cup with the Providence Bruins in 99, and played for Team USA in the World Championship in 01. Landon is currently the hockey director and head coachfor the Dallas Hockey Club in theNAPHL. This isLandons first year coaching for Team Northwest and we are extremely happy to have him on board!
Dusty Collins -Member of the United States National Team Development Program (2001-2003)
-Member of the Team USA Word U-17 Challenge Gold medal winning team (2001)
-Four year letter winner with Division 1 Northern Michigan University Men’s Ice Hockey Team (2003-2007)
– First Native Arizonan drafted into the National Hockey League. Drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 5th round 163rd overall (2004)
-Played Professional Hockey in the AHL, ECHL and CHL (2007-2011)
– Member of the President’s Cup Central Hockey League Champion Arizona Sundogs (2008)
-Member of the American Hockey League Calder Cup Finalist Manitoba Moose (2009)
– Co-Captain for the 2009 Vancouver Canucks NHL Rookie team
– Co-Captain of the 2009 Manitoba Moose pre-season team
-13 years as a Head and Assistant Coach for the Team Northwest AAA hockey organization
– Co-Owner/Co-Instructor of Collins Hockey Camps
– Volunteer Strength and Conditioning Coach for Northern Michigan University Division I Men’s Ice Hockey team (2011-2013)
– Assistant Coach of the Marquette Senior High School Varsity Hockey Team (2013-2014)
– USA Hockey Coaching Certification seminar speaker for Levels 1 to 4. (2012- present)
-Attending Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (2014-2018)
Guillaume Desbiens (Desi)~ -Played 4 years with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Was an alternate captain for the last two seasons with them. (2001-2005)
-Represented Quebec at the World U-17 Challenge in Winnipeg, MB. Team Quebec placed 4th. (2002)
-Drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 4th round (116th overall) (2003)
-Named QMJHL Humanitarian Player of the year. (2005)
-Played in the NHL for the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames.
-Been playing professionally in the ECHL, AHL and NHL since 2005. Was an alternate captain for the last 5 seasons.
-Currently plays in the Austrian Elite League (EBEL) in Europe.
-Calder Cup Champion (AHL) with Chicago Wolves. (2008)
-Manitoba Moose winner of the American specialty/Man of the year award for outstanding contributions to the Manitoba community. (2009-2010)
-Part-time undergraduate student at Athabasca University (Bachelor of Management) (2014-?)
 2002 Team Mark Vichorek~ Mark played Junior Hockey in the USHL for the Sioux City Musketeers and was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1982 Entry draft. He went on to play 4 years at Lake Superior State University where he was team Captain his Senior year following his Sophomore and Junior seasons as an Alternate Captain. He was also Freshman of the year for the Lakers. Mark also set a school record for consecutive games played for LSSU.
After college Mark signed a two year contract with the Hartford Whalers (Carolina Hurricanes). Mark played in Los Angeles Kings organization as well as four teams in the International and American Leagues. His 7 year career ended in retirement in 1993 and 562 professional games.
After retiring form Professional hockey Mark started his coaching career as a General Manager/Head Coach of a minor professional team. Mark became an Assistant Coach at Michigan Tech University of the WCHA. After a coaching change at MTU he returned home to coach his High School Team for 6 years in Moose Lake, Minnesota.
Mark also runs Top Prospect Hockey clinics in the Midwest. Mark currently is Head coach and Director of Hockey Ops in the NA3HL for the Bozeman Ice Dogs.
Mark is married to his wife Bette of 30 years and as mentioned earlier his two children Taylor and Montana.
Taylor Vichorek~ Taylor retired after 4 years of professional hockey.  Taylor played 1 year of division 3 hockey at Hamline University.  He also played 3 years of junior hockey in the NAHL with the Fairbanks Icedogs and the Alexandria Blizzard which relocated to Brookings South Dakota.  Taylor was signed by the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL after 1 year at Hamline University.  Taylor was assigned to Norfolk of the AHL his first year and also played in the New Jersey Devils Organization as well.
 2003 Team Jimmy McGroarty~ Jimmy previously coached for the Lincoln Stars, USHL, and assistant for Omaha Lancers, USHL. He’s played in the WCHL and ECHL. This will be Jimmy’s  4th year coaching with Team Northwest as he led the 2003 team to victory in 2014 at the Northern Exposure.
Nate Pionk~
2004 Team Yale Lewis~ Yale is a 1982 birth year TNW alumni! This is Yales first year coaching for Team Northwest. His resume is quite impressive and we are fortunate to have Yale on board! Member of the Frederikshaven White Hawks of the AL-Bank Ligaen (Danish pro hockey league) 2009 – 2011.  Member of Northeastern D-I Men’s Hockey Team (Hockey East Conference), 2003-2007; Asst. Capt. 2005-06 and 2006-07. Recipient, NU “Coach’s Award” for exemplary character and leadership, 2007, Northeastern “Rookie of the Year,” 2005.  Member of Northeastern University Student Athletic Advisory Committee 2004-2006, Volunteer at Johnson Community Center, Roxbury, MA, assisting children ages 6-18, 2006-2007. USA Hockey Select 17 Festival “All Tournament Team,” 1999. Team U.S.A. (hockey), Silver Medalist, “Four Nations Cup,” Czech Republic, 2000. Assistant Captain, Omaha Lancers, U.S. H. L., 2003.
Bret Norris ~ Bret and Yale have played and coached together since their younger years. Both of these coaches have grown up in hockey playing around the country and for TNW. We are honered to have them now on the coaching staff for Team Northwest.
Bret has played for, Team Northwest- 2000, 1996. Vail AAA 1999-2000. Grand Rapids Owls (CSHL) 2000-2001. Toledo Ice Diggers (NAHL) 2001-2003 – Received Defenseman of the Year (2001). Canisius College Golden Griffins (2003-2007). Richmond Renegades (SPHL) 2007-2008). Aspen Junior Hockey (2008-2012). Coached, Peewee A, Bantam AA, Squirt A, Girls U19. He also worked with the El Paso Rhinos (WSHL) as a scout. (2007-2009).
2005 Team Scott Pionk~ Has been involved with Team Northwest for 5 years. Coached Waterloo Blackhawks, Omaha Lancers/USHL. Runner up for USHL Coach of the Year honors in 1997-98! Head Coach of the State Champions in 2000 Minnesota Project Prep Fall High School league! ead Coach of the 1995 North Team at the Minnesota selects Tournament that finished a 5 year run undefeated th 19-0-1, something only accomplished on other time in 22 Years!
Neal Pionk ~ Neal plays defense for the Souix City Musketeers in the USHL and now has committed to the University Minnesota Duluth in the Fall of 2014. In addition, Neal was selected for Team USA in the World Jr. A Challenge and helped win the Gold medal.  Neal is from Duluth, MN and we are very excited to have him on staff!

 

 The 2015 Team Northwest program is shaping up to be one of best programs yet!