Staff

Owner & Director, Hockey Operations dakota@northstarelitehockey.com

Dakota joined Northstar Elite as the Director of Hockey Operations in 2020 and took over as an owner in 2021. Outside of Northstar Elite, Dakota is the Manager of Amateur Scouting Operations for the New Jersey Devils.

Before joining the New Jersey Devils, Dakota held several positions within the hockey operations realm. He was the Coordinator of Hockey Operations for the American Hockey League, a Hockey Operations intern for the National Women’s Hockey League, a Video Scout for the Arizona Coyotes, a Hockey Data Analyst for the St. Louis Blues, and a Hockey Operations assistant for the Men’s Ice Hockey team at Harvard University.

Dakota was a 2020 graduate of UMass Boston, where he was a member and Captain of the Men’s Ice Hockey team and a finalist for the 2019-2020 Hockey Humanitarian Award.

Owner & Director, Player Personnel justin@northstarelitehockey.com

Justin is the co-owner of NorthStar Elite Hockey. He is also the Director of Scouting for the USHL Madison Capitals and the NAHL Philadelphia Rebels.

Previously, Justin was a part of creating the New Jersey 87s of the Eastern Hockey League and Eastern Hockey League Premier. While he was on the staff, the organization had success at both levels, including promotion to the top Division of the Eastern Hockey League after one season. Justin has also been an Assistant Coach for the Mercer Cheifs (NCDC), a Scout for the Youngstown Phantoms (USHL), and a Scout for the New Jersey Titans (NAHL).

Youth Hockey Director (2013-2016) stephen@northstarelitehockey.com

Coach Laschon has been coaching hockey in the Pittsburgh area for more than ten years and brings extensive experience in both foundational skill development and competitive team leadership. Stephen has been deeply involved in Learn to Skate, Little Penguins, and the Mite Development League programs at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, helping young players build strong fundamentals and a love for the game.

At the scholastic level, Stephen has served as Head Coach for Middle School, Junior Varsity, and Varsity teams at Avonworth High and Shaler Area Schools. During his six years as a PIHL head coach, his teams earned Middle School and JV championships and advanced to the Varsity playoffs each of his seasons as coach.

Coach Laschon has coached in the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite organization for 5 years, most recently as head coach of a Peewee Major 2013 AAA team, and currently head coach of PPE Laschon 2016 AAA.

As a parent who has supported his own son through Youth Hockey and on to major junior hockey in the OHL, Stephen has a deep appreciation for the long-term development pathway and the commitment required at each stage. Stephen looks forward to continuing to work with Northstar Elite players and families and to support their growth through their own hockey journeys.

Youth Hockey Coordinator (2013-2016) conrad@northstarelitehockey.com

Conrad Moline brings experience from every stage of the hockey development pathway, having competed at the high school, AAA, junior, and NCAA collegiate levels. His firsthand experience at each stage gives him a unique understanding of the commitment and work ethic required to develop both on and off the ice.

After competing in youth, AAA, high school, junior, and NCAA hockey at Connecticut College, Conrad now serves as a scout for the Madison Capitols (USHL). His playing and scouting experience provide valuable insight into the development process and the qualities organizations look for as players advance to the next level.

Having recently navigated the hockey journey himself while also watching his younger brother progress through youth hockey, Conrad offers a unique perspective from both the player and family side of the game. He understands the decisions, challenges, and opportunities that come with each stage of development and enjoys helping players and parents confidently navigate that process.

Conrad is passionate about developing skilled, competitive, and confident hockey players while creating an environment that emphasizes hard work, character, and a genuine love for the game. He looks forward to working with Northstar Elite players and families as they pursue their own goals and continue their hockey journeys.

After a playing career as a goaltender with multiple national championships for Penn State and stops in the ECHL and AHL, Coach Gratz began in the ECHL as an assistant with the Reading Royals. He went on to be a Head Coach at numerous levels of pro hockey. He spent three years in the CHL as Head Coach and GM of the Dayton Gems and Bloomington Blaze. He was a part of the transition to the SPHL in the same role with the Bloomington Thunder. 

After his time in Central Illinois, he got his break in the ECHL as an assistant with Greenville. From 2015 to 2018, Brian led the Swamp Rabbits as Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations setting two franchise records for the best regular season record and longest winning streak in franchise history. 

After Greenville, Brian joined KRS-ORG Beijing (KHL/VHL) as Assistant Coach. His primary duties were working with the team’s forwards and goaltenders. When the 2019-2020 season was cut short due to the COVID pandemic, Coach Gratz came home to Indiana and joined the Trine University NCAA division 3 staff as assistant coach and primary recruiter. Recruiting NCAA caliber student athletes has immersed him into the junior and youth hockey world and created a fantastic network to help educate and promote amateur players. 

Duante Abercrombie: Head Coach, Tennessee State University (NCAA DI)

Cole Bell: Assistant Coach, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

Matt Pinchevsky: University of Southern Maine (NCAA DIII)

Rick Mack: Head Coach, Hutson Pro Hockey Academy

Shane Harvey: Scout, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

Gary Biggs: President, Hockey Operations, Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL)

Cam Robichaud: Head Coach, New Hampshire Mountain Kings (NAHL)

Colin Merrill: Owner, Cerebral Sports