SIOUX FALLS, SD -- The Sioux Falls Stampede are proud to announce additions to their Hockey Operations staff for the 2024-25 season. The Herd welcome Ben Bugge as video coach, Trevor Kleckner as player development coach and Joel Anderson as equipment manager. They round out the staff led by general manager Tony Gasparini, head coach Ryan Cruthers, associate head coach Brandon Wildung and assistant coach Ryan Black.

Bugge joins the Stampede after spending the 2023 - 2024 season as an Assistant Coach of Castleton University's NCAA Division III program in Castleton, Vermont. While at Castleton, Bugge developed an all-New England Hockey Conference award recipient and was responsible for creating pre-scout packages and coaching the forwards and power play units. He was also in charge of leading individual, positional, and team practices and video sessions. The West Windsor, New Jersey native played Tier I hockey in his home state of New Jersey for the New Jersey Titans and Mercer Chiefs organizations and currently holds the USA Hockey Level V Coaching Certification.

"Ben is going to be a great asset to our staff, players and the community," said Stampede head coach Ryan Cruthers. "He is a very driven and detail orientated individual who wants to continue to develop as a coach. He will be instrumental in preparing video for our players on an individual and team level as well as enhance our on-ice player development sessions. We are very excited to welcome him to our coaching staff."

Kleckner previously coached for the Charlotte Rush of the USPHL for the previous two seasons leading them to consecutive national tournament appearances. Prior to coaching in Charlotte, Kleckner started his coaching career as an Assistant Coach for the Arcadia University Men's Ice Hockey Team in their inaugural season as an NCAA Program. He assisted in building the program from scratch during the COVID-19 pandemic alongside current University of Alaska-Anchorage NCAA DI Assistant Coach, Vincent Pietrangelo. Kleckner is also currently the Assistant Coach for the Sioux Falls Power U15 and U16 teams.

"We could not be happier to have Trevor be part of our organization," stated Stampede general manager Tony Gasparini. "He brings a wealth of hockey experience as well as energy and passion for the game that is infectious for players.   He is a huge asset for the Stampede and the nationally ranked Sioux Falls Power programs."   

Anderson joins the Stampede after spending the last two seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League (WHL) as an assistant equipment manager. While with the Thunderbirds, Anderson was in charge of equipment and repair as well as handling game day setup of the visiting locker room, traveling with the team, assisting the head equipment manager for games home and away and overseeing their training camp setup and maintenance. A native of Kent, Washington, Anderson spent one season playing ACHA hockey at Arizona State University and earned his Associate of Arts Degree from Green River College in Auburn, Washington.

"The most important thing we were looking for was someone with junior hockey experience so they can relate to our players and enhance the player experience with our team," stated Cruthers. "Joel is someone that is hardworking and has the personality and professionalism we were looking for. Having three years of junior experience, he knows the type of athlete he is working with. Our staff and players are very lucky to be able to add Joel this season to round out our hockey operations staff."

The Stampede open pre-season play this afternoon in Sioux City against the Omaha Lancers at the Western Conference Shootout in Sioux City. Sioux Falls will face the Musketeers tomorrow night in Sioux City before closing out the pre-season next weekend with a home-and-home series with Fargo. The Herd host the Force on Saturday, September 14^th at 6:05 PM at the Scheels IcePlex. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10 and are free for season ticket members.