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
Bryce Johnson
ASSISTANT COACH
A native of Roseau, Minnesota, Johnson comes into his first season behind the bench fresh off a playing career. Johnson comes to the Norsemen from The College of St. Scholastica where he recently finished up his college career in 2024. After his time with the College of St. Scholastica, Johnson spent time with the Macon Mayhem of the Southern Professional Hockey League. Johnson is a graduate of Roseau High School, along with The College of St. Scholastica where he graduated with a Bachelors in Psychology degree.
“I am thrilled for this opportunity to coach the St. Cloud Norsemen. I am excited to get to work with Joe and learn from his expertise in the game of hockey. Joe is a great coach to get my coaching career started with and I look forward to using my experiences as a player to guide and help these young men throughout their journey in hockey along with developing them into great, young men.”
EMAIL: COACHES@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.
EMAIL: COACHES@STCLOUDNORSEMEN.COM
Dr. Keith Pudwill, DC
Athletic Trainer
Dr. Keith is originally from Browerville, MN where he was an avid high school athlete, participating in football, horseback riding, wrestling, and track. His sports interest sent him to St. Cloud State University where he studied athletic training and received his Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine.