MINNEAPOLIS -- Zach Stepan, who has served as a hockey coach in junior hockey for the past decade, has been named the new head coach of the Augsburg University men's hockey team, the university has announced. Stepan will be the sixth head coach in the modern era (since 1959) of the Augsburg men's hockey program. 
 
Most recently, Stepan has served as head coach and president of the Minnesota Wilderness, a team based in Cloquet, Minn., playing in the North American Hockey League (NAHL), the second tier of the American junior hockey system and one of the main development routes for players planning to play for NCAA Division III men's hockey programs.
 
"I am incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to join Augsburg Athletics and lead the men's hockey program," Stepan said. "Developing student-athletes holistically, building meaningful relationships, and creating a positive, competitive culture -- align closely with my own philosophy as a coach and leader. Hockey provides an incredible platform to help young men grow not only as players, but as students, teammates, and future leaders."
 
Under Stepan, the Wilderness finished 42-12-5 in the 2025-26 season, winning the NAHL's Midwest Division and advancing to the league's Robertson Cup championship game, where they lost 3-2 in overtime to the Maryland Black Bears. The Wilderness went 8-3 in its playoff run leading up to the Robertson Cup final, winning three series.
 
In his first season with the Wilderness in 2024-25, the squad went 30-25-4, finishing fifth in the NAHL's Midwest Division and just missing out on a spot in the league playoffs. The Wilderness outscored their opponents by a 249-148 margin in 2025-26 and by a 210-197 margin in 2024-25.
 
"Throughout the search process, coach Stepan distinguished himself through his commitment to the holistic development of student-athletes, his relationship-centered approach, and his vision for building a positive and competitive program culture," said Augsburg Athletic Director Amy Cooper. "I am confident that Zach will be an excellent addition to our department and will serve as a strong leader for our men's hockey student-athletes. He brings a passion for developing young people both on and off the ice, and I look forward to welcoming him to Augsburg Athletics."
 
As head coach and president, Stepan led the Wilderness' hockey operations, overseeing player development and roster and staff management, managing the team's business operations, including sponsorships and community partnerships, media relations, fundraising and camps.
 
Prior to joining the Wilderness, Stepan served as an assistant coach in the 2023-24 season with the United States Hockey League's (USHL) Des Moines (Iowa) Buccaneers, managing scouting, recruiting, forwards, power-play systems and video operations. The USHL is the top tier of American junior hockey, with its players often moving to NCAA Division I programs.
 
He served as an assistant coach for the NAHL's Aberdeen (S.D.) Wings in the 2021-22 season, and as head coach of the New Ulm (Minn.) Steel, a team in the Tier III North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) for two seasons (2019-21). The Steel finished 31-13-3 in the abbreviated 2019-20 season, which featured the most wins in team history and the longest winning streak (15 games) in team history. Stepan was an assistant coach for the NAHL's Chippewa (Wis.) Steel in 2018-19.
 
"I am excited to build strong relationships with our student-athletes, alumni, campus community, and supporters while fostering an environment that emphasizes accountability, growth, character, and competitive excellence. Together, we will work to create a program that represents Augsburg with pride both on the ice and in the classroom," Stepan said. "I want to thank the administration and search committee for their trust and confidence. I am eager to get started and look forward to becoming part of the Augsburg community."
 
A native of Faribault, Minn., Stepan played Division I college hockey at Minnesota State University Mankato, where he scored 24 goals with 35 assists for 59 points in 136 career games (2013-17). He played one season of junior hockey in 2012-13 for the Waterloo (Iowa) Black Hawks, scoring 32 goals with 46 assists for 78 points in 56 games.
 
Stepan was a fourth-round draft choice of the NHL's Nashville Predators in 2012, and played for the East Coast Hockey League's Orlando (Fla.) Solar Bears, but his playing career ended due to injuries after just eight minor-league games.
 
He played his high school hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Faribault, scoring 130 points (47 goals, 83 assists) in 100 career games over two varsity seasons, as the team won USA Hockey national titles both years. He also played on three USA Hockey international youth-level teams, part of gold-medal U17 (2010) and U19 (2012) teams, and a U20 squad in 2013.
 
Stepan and his fiancée, Michaela, a registered nurse, said that they are excited to begin this new chapter with Augsburg University, alongside their two dogs, Cubby and Murphy. Family has always played a significant role in shaping Stepan's passion for hockey and mentorship. His cousin, Derek Stepan, enjoyed a 13-year NHL career and now works for the Minnesota Wild, while his uncle, Brad Stepan, was drafted by the New York Rangers and now works as a player agent. Raised by a single mother who has dedicated her career to education, Stepan learned early the importance of investing in young people. The values of hockey, education, mentorship and helping others reach their full potential have long been central to his family, and he said that he is excited to continue that tradition, leading Augsburg's student-athletes both on and off the ice.