HOCKEY OPERATIONS

Joe Exter

HEAD COACH | GM

The 2024 -2025 season is Joe Exter’s first as Head Coach and General Manager of the St. Cloud Norsemen. Exter coached for four years at the United States National Team Development Program. His highly accomplished tenure with USA Hockey also included serving on the staff at the World Junior Championship in 2010, 2011 and 2012. The team won gold in 2010 and then bronze in 2011, marking the first time the USA won back-to-back medals in the event. His next move in his career led him to coach eleven years in the NCAA Big Ten Hockey league (Ohio State and Michigan State). He has a total of 12 years coaching Division 1 hockey that includes a year at American International College in the Atlantic Hockey league. His resume also includes a year in the USHL along with two years in the ECHL. During his last two years he served as Associate Coach and Assistant General Manager for Iowa Heartlanders, The Minnesota Wild’s ECHL affiliate.

Exter played four years at Cushing academy followed by playing in the OHL and the USHL. Joe spent four years in between the pipes for Merrimack College. Exter was a 2003 second-team All-Hockey East selection at Merrimack and earned a spot on the league’s 2001 all rookie team.  He served as team captain as a senior after being named an assistant captain the prior season.  He was the team’s MVP in 2003 an also garnered the Players Coach Award.  Following his collegiate career as a goaltender at Merrimack College, Exter spent two seasons in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization , playing for the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers.   Joe and his wife Erin have a 12-year-old son, Maxwell.  The Exter family has two dogs Campbell and Brooks aka Herbie.

The following are highlights of Exter’s coaching career:


– 2017 NCAA Tournament Ohio State University
– 2014 Big 10 Playoff Runner Up Ohio State University
– 2011 World Junior Championship – Bronze Medal
– 2011 U-18 World Championship – Gold Medal
– 2010 World Junior Championship – Gold Medal
– 2010 U-18 World Championship – Gold Medal
– 2009 U-18 World Championship – Gold Medal
– 2008 U-18 World Championship – Bronze Medal
– 2008 USA Hockey Warren Strelow Goaltending Mentor Program – Program Creator
– Coached and or recruited 5 All Americans, over 75 Future NHL players and 10 Olympians

EMAIL: JOE@STCLOUDNORSEMEN.COM

Nick Keppler

ASSISTANT COACH
The 2026-2027 season is Nick Keppler’s first as Assistant Coach of the St. Cloud Norsemen. Keppler brings 11 years of coaching experience and a diverse development resume to the North American Hockey League (NAHL), having previously served as an Assistant Coach within the league. Prior to joining the Norsemen staff, he spent significant time building an elite player pipeline at DeMatha Catholic High School. There, his multifaceted tenure included roles as Associate Coach, Assistant Coach, Systems and Video Coach, and Skills and Development Coach. Keppler‘s coaching pedigree also features high-level head coaching experience in Minnesota High School hockey, as well as grassroots leadership as a Youth Development Director for a prominent youth club.
Before stepping behind the bench full-time, Keppler built his foundation on the ice during a competitive playing career. He played prep school hockey at DeMatha Catholic before advancing to compete at the collegiate level, playing ACHA hockey for the University of Maryland.
Nick and his wife, Elizabeth, are the proud parents of two daughters: three-year-old Blake and one-year-old Emma.

EMAIL: nick@STCLOUDNORSEMEN.COM

Colin Briscoe

Head Trainer

Colin Briscoe, founder and owner of Omni Training Facility, brings a wealth of experience and work ethic to the St. Cloud Norsemen. Growing up in Stillwater, MN, Colin was a multi-sport athlete, excelling in hockey, football, and baseball. After high school, Colin continued his education and hockey career at Augsburg College in Minneapolis.

For nearly six years, Colin has owned and operated Omni Training Facility in Waite Park, MN, where he has made sports performance his main focus. In that time, Colin has helped hundreds of youth, high school, and college athletes across various disciplines achieve their athletic goals.

Currently, Colin serves as the strength and conditioning coach for the College of St. Benedict athletics. Beyond his professional work, Colin is deeply committed to community involvement. He actively supports adaptive athletes through organizations like Minnesota Wild Special Hockey, WheelFit, and Miracle League. Additionally, Colin dedicates his time to veteran organizations such as ValorFit, Catch-a-Lift, Warrior Hockey, and Hero Sundays.

His commitment to athlete development, community engagement, and innovative science-based training methods make him an ideal fit for the Norsemen.

 

Riley Nickel

Equipment Manager

Originally from Worthington, MN, Riley grew up playing hockey for nine years. She is currently a senior at St. Cloud State University, where she is studying Recreation and Sport Management.

She has worked with both the St. Cloud State men’s and women’s hockey programs for three years and has been a valued member of our team since last season.