Blaze Coaches
WI Blaze Program Director & Coach – Dan Gilkerson
Dan “Gilk” Gilkerson, a former Centerman in the AWHL (Butte Irish) and USHL (Rochester Mustangs), transitioned his on-ice success to the NCAA Division 1 level with the University of Alaska – Anchorage (WCHA) where he was a team captain his senior year. With a wealth of playing experience, Dan has evolved into a coach, emphasizing a great team culture, grit, dedication, and a passion for nurturing young talent. Dan has coached over 100 players that have gone on to play college hockey or at higher levels.
His coaching journey includes roles with WAHA player development and PDP and Wisota Hockey Schools. Dan played a pivotal role in establishing the Fire AAA Hockey program, guiding the U-16 team to the USA National Tournament in 2014. Dan created the WI Blaze AAA Hockey 20 years ago to develop a culture to develop hockey players in St. Croix River Valley. Currently, he celebrates his 19th year as the Head Coach of the Somerset High School boy’s hockey program.
Dan resides in Somerset, WI, with his wife Heather and their three children, Claire, Chase, and Chloe, all actively involved in hockey. His extensive experience, combined with enthusiasm and grit, has made him a beloved figure among Blaze & Somerset hockey families. Dan serves as the Program Director for the WI Blaze and coaches several teams.
Dan's favorite quotes:
Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work. ~ Vincent Lombardi
Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. ~ Lou Holtz
David Launderville
David grew up in Cottage Grove, MN playing for them and graduated in 2008 from Park High School. He served in the US Army for 8 years. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC and in Vicenza, Italy as an active duty service member and finished his last 2 years in the National Guard in Stillwater, MN. After leaving the US Army he started working for the Minnesota Department of Corrections at Oak Park Heights as a Correctional Officer, which is the only maximum security prison in Minnesota. He has been apart of Somerset Youth Hockey Association for the last 4 years as a Peewee B assistant coach and then got the opportunity to be the Bantam A head coach for the last 3 years and including being a head coach for my oldest as a Squirt Coach.
David resides in Somerset, WI with his wife Valerie and their two boys Logan and Lucas since 2018.
Favorite quotes: “I hated every minute of training, but I said don’t quit suffer now and live the rest of your life as a Champion." Muhammad Ali
Noelle Sutton
Noelle Sutton grew up playing hockey in Maple Grove, Minnesota. She started playing varsity hockey as an eighth grader. During her high school career, Noelle was named to All-Conference, All-Metro and All-State teams. Noelle went on to play college hockey at the University of Minnesota where she was a member of back to back National Championship teams for the Gophers in 2004 and 2005.
After college, Noelle spent five years coaching girls high school hockey at her Alma Mater, Maple Grove. Her most recent coaching experience includes coaching the 2023 2014 Blaze Black team and Somerset Squirt hockey.
Noelle resides in Somerset with her boyfriend Hunter and their three dogs, Chance, Tito and Junior. Noelle works as a medical device regulatory consultant and besides hockey, Noelle enjoys playing golf, bird hunting with her dogs and spending time outdoors.
Garrett Nustvold
Garrett grew up in Amery, Wisconsin where he played hockey from childhood up until he graduated from High School. He went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls with a Major in Conservation and a Minor in Outdoor Education. He currently works as the Operations Manager for VCI Environmental.
This will be Garrett’s third season as the Head Coach for the 2013 Gold Team. He will also be an Assistant Coach for the 2016 Team this season.
Garrett has been coaching with the Somerset Youth Hockey Association since 2019. He was most recently the Head Coach of the Squirt A Team and also helped with the Mite Program.
Garrett currently resides in Somerset with his wife, Kari and their 3 Sons, Waylon, Hank and Arlo. Garrett is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys spending his time away from the rink, racing dirtbikes, fishing and hunting.
Pat Borgestad
Pat “Borgie” Borgestad grew up playing hockey in St. Paul, MN. Started his High School Hockey career as an 8th grader at St. Bernards and ended his High School Hockey career at Como Park at the age of 16, where he left to play in the USHL, where he played for Tri City Storm and Des Moines. Pat went on to play D3 College Hockey in River Falls, where he was named All American player.
His coaching journey started out after college, coaching High School Hockey in Somerset and Baldwin. Pat has 15 years of head coaching all youth levels, both Association Hockey and AAA Programs. He has been a part of the Blaze Coaching staff for almost 15 years. Pat stands out in his coaching as he cares about the players as individuals, as well as the team. He wants to see each player succeed and learn something every chance they can, as well as love the game of hockey.
Pat resides in New Richmond, WI with his wife Meghan and their four children, Briggs (9), Blake (10), Brady (18) and Chloe (19). When Pat is not watching his own children play hockey, he is hunting, fishing, canoeing, or spending time at their cabin.
Ryan Dalzell
Ryan “Daz” Dalzell grew up in Somerset, WI where he played his youth and high school hockey for the Spartans. After high school he attended the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire where he attained a degree in Business Finance. He currently works as a Mutual Fund Operations Analyst for Morgan Stanley.
Ryan has been an assistant coach for the Somerset Spartans high school varsity program for over 20 years. He also has over 10 years of experience as both a head and assistant coach for other numerous boys and girls programs including Fire AAA, Wisconsin Blaze, St. Croix Selects, Western Wisconsin Stars & Somerset Youth Hockey.
For Ryan, coaching is about molding and building young people into productive and confident adults. Even for young athletes his focus is on a team first culture and mentality. He has a strong belief that kids need team sports, it allows them to be a part of a community, and about something bigger than themselves. He hopes to instill a love for being at the rink, for the game of hockey, for building relationships with teammates, as well helping each player develop their individual skill.
During the summer months, when Ryan isn’t at a rink, you can often find him at the golf course. Ryan currently resides in Somerset with his wife, Abby and three children (Audrey 13, Edith 11, Rex 7) who are all very involved in hockey.
Favorite quotes:
"I'm a greater believe in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." ~ Thomas Jefferson
"People will forget what you say, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." ~ Maya Angelou
Chad Norberg
Chad grew up in Somerset, playing hockey as a goalie. He went to college graduating with an engineering degree from University of Wisconsin- Stout and is the plant manager at H&B Elevators in Minneapolis which manufactures passenger elevators for large construction projects worldwide. He took a long break from hockey until his two sons Ancel (10) and Aimel (8) had an interest in playing, and he started coaching two seasons ago. Chad has coached on the Somerset Squirt C 2022 team and the Somerset Squirt B 2023 team typically working with the goalies. And Somerset Level 3 Mites 2023. Chad resides in Emerald with his wife Jacey, their two sons Ancel and Aimel, and daughter Payten who is also attending UW-Stout. Besides hockey the family enjoys being outdoors hunting and fishing, camping, UTVing, and swimming.
“You get what you put in, people get what they deserve.” ~ Kid Rock