Chippewa Steel announces new ownership group

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced that its Board of Governors has approved the application and transfer of membership of the Chippewa Steel to Kasik Hockey, LLC, who has purchased the team from Steve Black.

Kasik Hockey, LLC, is owned by Kelly Kasik and her husband Geoff Stahl. Kasik, who has been a real estate investor for the past 16 years, will run the both the Chippewa Steel of the NAHL and the New Ulm Steel of the NA3HL. Stahl is a graduate of the University of Maryland and has a degree in Physical Sciences (Aerospace Engineering/Computer Science). Kasik said that she will run the team with her husband assisting with the operations. He has been employed by Apple Inc. for the past 21 years.

“We are so excited about the opportunity to be the new owners of the Chippewa Steel. We love hockey and are looking forward to growing the organization and supporting these young men achieve their goals on and off the ice. Chippewa Falls is a fantastic community, and we are excited to go out and support the community and youth hockey in the area,” said Kasik, who also owns the New Ulm Steel in the NA3HL. “Our goals are to attract and develop high-level hockey players. This means providing a great playing experience and environment which will allow players to develop both as a hockey player and as a person. These goals are achieved by committed ownership, focused scouting program, a determined coaching staff and a team which is closely tied into its community. This focus on the complete player helps them achieve both next steps in hockey as well a life, fostering skills which they will carry on with them thought their lives,” continued Kasik.

“I want to thank Steve Black for his years of dedication to our leagues. He impacted hundreds of players lives, giving them an opportunity to succeed, and was able to build and grow teams that were successful on the ice and in the community,” said NAHL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeld. “I look forward to working with Kelly and Geoff and am excited to see what they have in store in the future for the Steel.”

Kasik has announced that Mike Janda has been named the team’s new Head Coach and General Manager. For the past nine years, Janda has served as the Director of Coaches and Development Coordinator of the San Jose Jr. Sharks. He also served as the Jr. Sharks head coach for the 16U AAA team and the head coach for San Jose State University in the ACHA.

Janda is a former NAHL player himself, playing for the Springfield Spirit during the 2004-05 season. Janda then played NCAA Division I hockey at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York from 2007-11, going to the Frozen Four in 2010. After graduation, he wound up in San Jose. Janda does have coaching experience in the NAHL, as he spent the 2012-13 as an assistant coach with the Springfield Jr. Blues.