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Personnel

Scott McLean

Scott has been an instructor with Burggraf Skating for 25 years. During that time he has become proficient at analyzing, critiquing and teaching skating focusing on proper form and technique.  Scott has a passion to assist players that have a desire to improve, no matter what level they are playing. A captain of the Bemidji High boy’s hockey team in 1978, Scott skated at Neilson‐Reise Arena while a player with the Bemidji Youth Hockey Association. Scott also played two years of college hockey at Rainey River Community College where, as captain in 1980, the team captured a national runnerup title. He is a 1984 graduate of BSU. He has personally trained players skating from the NHL, AHL, ECHL, NCAA, Canadian Major Juniors, USHL, NAHL, high school and youth levels. He has earned Level IV coaching certification from USA Hockey and was formerly a USA  Hockey Coaching Education Instructor for the Pacific District. He has also coached teams from the Mite-Junior A Tier III levels.  For the 2014-19 seasons, Scott was hired by the Bemidji High School Boys Hockey Booster Club to conduct a season long skating clinics for the high school boys varsity and junior varsity teams. Scott worked with  the Bemidji High School boys coaching staff to enhance player skill sets and teach performance skating throughout the season. He also coordinated the practices for the BYHA Termite and Mite groups from 2014-2018.   During 2015-16, Scott was selected as an evaluator for Minnesota Hockey/USA Hockey Boys select 16's and 17's.  Scott and his spouse Saundra McLean, have three grown children and three grandchildren.

Eric Niskanen

Eric is a retired teacher from the Bemidji School District and the Inventor of the "Goaltenders Best Friend Forever." http://www.goaltendersbff.com/ Eric has a strong coaching background and knows how to get the best out of the goaltenders he works with. He was the Bemidji High School goalie coach for the 2014-15 season and can be seen on the ice during our programs working with the goaltenders.  His goaltenders device has been endorsed by former NHL goalie and current NHL goalie coach, Sean Burke. Eric is married and has two adult children.

Michael Forseth

Michael is a 2015 graduate of Bemidji High School. As a senior defenseman for the Lumberjacks, Michael served as the team co-captain. He was on the Section 8 AA championship team that season. Michael played 2 years in the MJHL for the Winnipeg Blues. Michael is the owner operator of Lumberjack Tree Service at Bemidji. Michael works with students on the ice primarily in season.

Nick Leitner

Nick is a defenseman for the BSU Beavers Men’s Hockey Team. He formally played two season in the USHL at Des Moines and Green Bay. Nick is a 2016 graduate of Bemidji High School where he was on both the 2015 and 2016 Boys Hockey State Tournament Teams. Nick works with students both on and off the ice.

Ryan Pogue

Ryan will be playing for the Concordia College Men’s Hockey Team beginning in the 2020-2021 season. Ryan is a 2018 graduate of Bemidji High School where he played Boys Hockey. He was also on the 2016 Boys Hockey State Tournament team.  Ryan primarily is on the ice and at the training center during the off season where he is assisting students. 

Heather Olson

Heather just completed her senior season with the BSU Women’s Hockey team. Prior to her time with BSU, Heather played for the Bemidji High School Girls Hockey, Volleyball and Softball teams. Heather was a Burggraf Student for several years. Heather works with students on the ice during our programs.