Norsemen Announce New Coaching Staff

The St. Cloud Norsemen have announced the hiring of Head Coach Joe Exter and Assistant Coach Ross Kovacs ahead of the 2024-25 season. 

Exter, a Cranston, RI native, has been behind the bench since 2005. He has made stops at American International College (NCAA D1), Cedar Rapids Roughriders (USHL), USNTDP (USHL), Ohio State University (NCCA D1), Michigan State University (NCAA D1), and the Iowa Heartlanders (ECHL). 

“This is a great opportunity for me to help develop and impact the lives of young men,” Exeter said. “Our organization will be driven by a team first environment that will be the foundation we lean on to achieve all goals throughout the season. Having spent four years coaching at the USNTDP followed by eleven years coaching in the Big Ten, I  understand how important these years are for players seeking to play at the college level and beyond. 

Exter playing career included the OHL, USHL, Merrimack College (NCAA D1), and the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL). 

“I will use this experience to help lead the Norsemen organization to team and individual success,” Exter added. 

Ross Kovacs joins the program as the Assistant Coach with experience coaching in the NCAA, USHL and NAHL over the past 5 seasons, most recently with the Madison Capitols (USHL) and Springfield Jr. Blues (NAHL). Also has coached at St. Scholastica (DIII), located in Duluth, MN

Kovacs is from Dickinson, North Dakota. His playing career has consisted of playing his hockey for the Hawkesbury Hawks (CCHL), Russell Stover AAA, and playing his high school hockey for Dickinson High in ND. 

"Very happy to be a part of the St Cloud Norsemen in the NAHL,” Kovacs said. “I’m grateful that Head Coach Exter and Owner Chris have given me the opportunity to be an assistant coach for this NAHL organization. Look forward to working through the process of camps and the draft as well as getting to work with Coach Exter and the players this season!" 

Ross graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College where he played there for 4 years and earned his degree in Exercise Science. 

He currently works for the Base Sports Performance, which is an elite hockey training facility located outside the Twin Cities that trains top end College, Junior and High School players throughout the Twin Cities area.