TEAM PERSONNEL

Bliss Littler
General Manager

blittler@wenatcheewildhockey.com

NOTABLE QUOTES:

With a career spanning twenty six seasons behind the bench, Wenatchee Wild General Manager Bliss Littler is USA Hockey’s all time Tier 1 and Tier 2 winningest coach, with 836 regular season wins and a winning percentage of .635. The last eight of those years have been in the northwest with the Wenatchee Wild. Prior to arriving in Wenatchee, Bliss spent eleven years in the United States Hockey League as a Head Coach/General Manager with the Omaha Lancers, Tri City Storm, and the Topeka Scarecrows. Five times he served as a coach for USA Hockey in international competitions. He launched his coaching career by spending seven years with the Billings Bulls of the AFHL and AWHL where he won five Borne Cups. He sported an overall record of 326-210-59 in the USHL, winning one Anderson Cup. In his career, he has coached over three hundred players that have moved on to play Division I hockey. He has also coached twenty five NHL draft picks including two first round picks. He’s seen over twenty of his former players advance to the NHL. He also holds a Bachelor Degree in General Studies from Minot State University. Bliss is married to his wife Gretchen, and they have two children, Cade and Grace. They make their full time home here in the Wenatchee Valley.

COACHING HIGHLIGHTS

• 2018 - BCHL - Joe Tennant Memorial Trophy for Coach of the Year
• 2018 - CJHL Doyle Cup Pacific Region Championship
• 2018 - BCHL Fred Page Cup Championship
• 2017 - BCHL - Joe Tennant Memorial Trophy for Coach of the Year
• 2016 - BCHL Mainland Division Coach of the Year
• 2011 - Assistant Coach USA World Junior A Challenge (Bronze Medal) Langley, B.C.
• 2008 - Assistant Coach USA World Junior A Challenge (Gold Medal) Camrose, Alberta
• 2002 - Head Coach USA 19 and under Viking Cup (3-1-1 record) Camrose, Alberta
• 2000 - Assistant Coach USA 19 and under Viking Cup (Gold Medal) Camrose, Alberta
• 1997 - Assistant Coach USA 19 and under, Berne Cup(Gold Medal)Berne, Switzerland

DEVELOPMENT

• More than 300 players have moved on to play Division I hockey.
• Over 25 NHL draft picks.
• 2 NHL first round draft picks.
• Over 20 players have advanced to play in the NHL.

Chris Clark

Head Coach / Assistant General Manager
cclark@wenatcheewildhockey.com

Chris has been a part of the Wenatchee Wild coaching staff since the teams inception in 2008. As assistant coach, Chris has helped and worked with 8 NCAA Division I, 3 WHL and 2 NHL drafted goaltenders. He has been named Head Coach for the 2020-21 season.

Prior to joining the Wenatchee Wild, Chris spent the 2007-08 season as a graduate assistant at Division I Minnesota State University - Mankato (WCHA).

Chris played college hockey for the Minnesota State University -Mankato Mavericks from 2003 to 2007, when he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management and a minor in Marketing. Chris was a member of the WCHA All-Academic team from 2004-2007 and received the Mavericks Most Improved Player in 2004-05.  He was honored in the 2007 WCHA Final Five program for his volunteer work in the Mankato community.

Before moving on to college, Chris played junior hockey from 2001 to 2003 in the BCHL and was a member of the 2001-02 Fred Page Cup Champion Victoria Salsa.

Chris and his wife Julie live in Wenatchee with their son Cooper and their dog Madison.

Tom Rudrud

Associate Head Coach

Rudrud has a wealth of experience in various leagues and even with two USA junior hockey national select teams. He was a graduate assistant at Minnesota State University Mankato for the 1985-86 season. Rudrud then transitioned to an assistant coach at Ferris State University from 1986-1992 before taking on the same role at University of Illinois-Chicago from 1993-1996. After his last season with the University of Illinois-Chicago, he transitioned to the junior hockey ranks.

Rudrud served as the Head Coach of the Danville Wings of the NAHL from 1996-1998 before taking on the same role with the Grand Rapids Bearcats/Rockets from 1998-2000. He then switched to the USHL where he was an assistant coach with the Topeka Scarecrows from 2001-2003. He then made the switch to the Tri-City Storm where he served as an assistant from 2003-2008. He was then promoted to head coach for the 2008-2009 season.

He would then take a few years to work with the 16U and 18U Russell Stover team in Kansas City before joining the Wenatchee Wild in 2012. He served as an assistant during their NAHL days until 2015. He maintained the same role during the team’s first BCHL season in 2016-17.

Rudrud is excited to get going in his return to the Wild organization.

Leigh Mendelson

Goalie Coach/ Director of Scouting and Recruiting
lmendelson@wenatcheewildhockey.com

Leigh Mendelson joined the Wenatchee Wild prior to the 2017-18 season in a dual role as both Associate Head Coach and Director of Recruiting. His coaching career is considerable, with over 10 seasons of experience at the junior level in both the NAHL and USHL. Add in four seasons of pro experience in the ECHL and AHL, and three seasons in Europe to go along with his three years of Division I college, and you've got a world of experience. With a focus on the defensive side of the game, his skill set serves as the perfect balance to the established Wild staff.

Jordan McTaggart

Skills Coach
JMcTaggart@wenatcheewildhockey.com

Coach McTaggart comes to Wenatchee from the Yellowstone Quake of the NA3HL. McTaggart, a Seattle native, played his junior hockey with the Quake before seeing an opportunity to be an assistant coach of the team he once suited up for. Following two seasons coaching in Wyoming, he came back to Washington to help coach with the Team Seattle AAA program. After two years there, McTaggart crossed the border north into Canada, taking a role as head coach of the Banff Hockey Academy midget varsity team in Alberta. That, along with being an assistant coach on the midget prep team, consumed McTaggart’s time for the next four years. Deciding to come back to the United States, McTaggart went back to Yellowstone for his second stint with the Quake, being an assistant coach there once again. With deep hockey roots, McTaggart’s father, Jim, played in the NHL for the Washington Capitals, and coached in the WHL with the Seattle Thunderbirds after retiring. Jordan looks to help prepare players for the next level of hockey, using the wisdom and experience he’s gathered from the junior hockey ranks.

Jordan McTaggart
Co-Head Coach 18UAAA and 16UAAA,
Player Development Coach 12U & 14U, Spring Hockey Coordinator
JMcTaggart@wenatcheewildhockey.com

Coach McTaggart comes to Wenatchee from the Yellowstone Quake of the NA3HL. McTaggart, a Seattle native, played his junior hockey with the Quake before seeing an opportunity to be an assistant coach of the team he once suited up for. Following two seasons coaching in Wyoming, he came back to Washington to help coach with the Team Seattle AAA program. After two years there, McTaggart crossed the border north into Canada, taking a role as head coach of the Banff Hockey Academy midget varsity team in Alberta. That, along with being an assistant coach on the midget prep team, consumed McTaggart’s time for the next four years. Deciding to come back to the United States, McTaggart went back to Yellowstone for his second stint with the Quake, being an assistant coach there once again. With deep hockey roots, McTaggart’s father, Jim, played in the NHL for the Washington Capitals, and coached in the WHL with the Seattle Thunderbirds after retiring. Jordan looks to help prepare players for the next level of hockey, using the wisdom and experience he’s gathered from the junior hockey ranks.

Jared Boman
Assistant Coach 16U and 18U AAA

Jarrod has played junior hockey in the Western States Hockey League and his youth hockey with the Jr Sharks organization. He has been involved at all levels in the game of hockey most notably as a WHL official for over 15 years. In 2021 he was named WHL official of the year. He has coached with the Portland Jr Hawks Association from the 14U to 10U level and he has been an Equipment Manager/Trainer in the NOR-PAC Jr league with the Portland Pioneers from 2000-2005. Jarrod received a BS Degree from Portland State University in Athletic Therapy. Please welcome his wife Marissa and sons Benjamin & Braden to the Wenatchee Family!

Aaron Azevedo
14U Head Coach and the 12U Assistant Coach

Aaron graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Entrepreneurship from Iowa State University while playing for the ACHA D1 hockey team. Today, Aaron is one of Power Edge Pro's leading Professional Instructors working with NHL players through youth hockey associations on individual skill development. With nine years of coaching experience, Aaron is already a leading skills coach for game application and drill innovation. Behind the bench Aaron has coached six spring seasons in addition to two winter seasons at various youth levels. In the off-season, Aaron and his brother Tysen provide On Top Hockey (OT Hockey), a player development platform integrated with invitational opportunities for players from the Northwest to compete in exposure showcases throughout the spring and summer.

Tysen Azevedo
12U Head Coach and 14U Assistant Coach

With over 15 years of coaching experience, Tysen has an extensive background in individual development as a professional skills coach specializing with NHL, NCAA, and Junior level players throughout the off season. Prior to coaching, Tysen played his youth hockey in Spokane before moving away to continue playing Canadian Junior Hockey in the KIJHL, BCHL and MJHL. Following his playing career, Tysen began traveling the country working for some of the industry’s leading skating/skills companies before moving back to Spokane to start On Top Hockey (OT Hockey) with his brother Aaron. Tysen spent three years at the Jr. A- Tier III level, working with the Granite City Lumberjacks (2012 NA3HL/National Champions), and as Head Coach for the Cheney Icehawks during the 2014/15 season in the NPHL. For the past four seasons, Tysen has been in the Spokane/CDA area coaching youth hockey at various age divisions.

Sharon Seguin MD, FAAD
Team Physician

Dr. Seguin earned a BS in Microbiology from UCLA and a Doctor of Medicine from Loyola University of Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine. She completed post-doctorate residency training in Internal Medicine at Madigan Army Medical Center and in Dermatology at Walter Reed AMC and earned Board Certification in both specialties. She served in the US Army for 11 years. Sharon and her husband Matt moved to Wenatchee in 2000 where they have raised three sons. Dr. Seguin is a physician at Confluence Health and has been a team doctor for the Wild for 11 years. The Seguins have served as a billet family for the Wild for 9 years.

Dan Ritzke PA-C
Team Physician Assistant

Dan has been part of the Wild medical staff since the 2014 season.  He earned his Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science at the University of Wisconsin -La Crosse and completed his physician assistant training at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana.  He is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.  Dan has practiced in orthopaedics for 18 years with the last 15 as part of the Confluence Health Orthopaedic Department.  The Ritzkes have also been a billet family for the past 6 seasons.  Dan and his wife Billie live in Wenatchee with their two boys, Jacob and Zach.

Julia Phillips

Athletic Trainer- MAT, LAT, ATC

Julia is Certified Athletic Trainer and a native of Florida, she completed her a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences in 2018 and a Master of Athletic Training degree in 2021 both from the University of Central Florida. In addition, she was president of her university’s Student Athletic Training Organization and received the Award of Excellence from her professors. Prior to the Wild, she has worked with athletes in multiple sports, in high schools, UCF college, Disney ESPN Wide World of Sports, and professional hockey with the Orlando Solar Bears. Julia is no stranger to sports herself. In college, she played club rugby from 2014-2018 where she was captain for three years and her team placed 2^nd in Nationals in 2018. She went on to play a season with the Atlanta Harlequins WPL in Atlanta, GA, before grad school. Julia is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. She is excited to be apart of the Wild team, and to explore the great northwest.

Pepe Sandoval

Equipment Manager

Pepe has been with the Wild franchise since the beginning. It's been said, "If you don't get along with Pepe, it's probably YOU!" Pepe lives in Wenatchee and manages rental properties when he's not at the rink.

Phil Moller

Assistant Equipment Manager

Phil Moller was first introduced to hockey in 1963 by his family’s friends from Canada.  He quickly fell in love with the sport and played on the Spokane Blades travel team from 1963 through 1967.  Unfortunately, his family moved to Chelan, which made it difficult to continue playing for several years.   Finally, Phil joined the Wenatchee Blades Midget team in 1976.  The season was cut short because practices and games were unable to continue in their outdoor rink due to the warm winter conditions.  In 1991, Phil rejoined the hockey community as a head coach for the Tacoma Junior Rockets Mini Mite team.  He served as a head coach until 1996 when he completed his coaching career for the Tacoma Jr. Rockets Squirt Tier II team playing in the West Coast Hockey League.  Phil’s passion for the sport of hockey has remained strong since he was a young boy and he looks forward to joining the Wenatchee Wild this season as their assistant Equipment Manager.

Tammi Flynn, MS, RD, CSSD, CSCS

Nutritionist / Strength and Conditioning

Tammi is a registered dietitian and fitness professional who has been in the industry since the 1980’s.  Her more recent certifications are in CrossFit, sports nutrition, and as a strength and conditioning specialist.  Her current interests are focused on programming and diet for young athletes to maximize their performance.  She has worked with local soccer, lacrosse, track, cross-country skiing, wrestling, and hockey teams.

Max Crowell

Worx of Wenatchee
Strength Training

Max is a Certified Personal Trainer at Worx Gym of Wenatchee Valley.  He works with the Wild several times a week with strength and conditioning.  He attained his bachelors degree in Clinical Physiology at Central Washington University and is working on becoming a certified strength and conditioning specialist through NSCA.  Max pursues a career in training high level athletes.

DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING - Gretchen Littler
glittler@wenatcheewildhockey.com

Gretchen Littler serves a dual role in the office, handling group ticket sales as well as corporate partnerships. As a hockey mom and hockey wife, Gretchen is surrounded by hockey and is committed to helping the franchise continue to grow in the Valley.

SENIOR SALES AND OPERATIONS COORDINATOR - David Rayfield
drayfield@wenatcheewildhockey.com

David returned to the Wenatchee Wild as Senior Sales and Operations Coordinator in the 2018-2019 season. David was previously a member of the Wild staff from 2013-2016 as the Director of Game Day Operations. David was born and raised in the valley, graduating from Cascade High School in Leavenworth. He then headed to Pullman to attend Washington State University, where he graduated in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management. Making the Wild a fun family experience that everyone in the Wenatchee Valley can enjoy is extremely important to David.

His primary focus will be developing and evolving partnerships via creative sponsorship opportunities, David is always looking to present local business brands in front of Wild fans. Representing our sponsors in a fun interactive way to our fans is extremely important and beneficial to all. David will also take part in the selling of season tickets, groups, and single game tickets.

“ I’m very excited to rejoin the Wild organization and help continue to make Wenatchee Wild hockey a 'can't miss' fan experience for our valley!”

Account Executive - Sarah Anderson
sanderson@wenatcheewildhockey.com

Sarah Anderson is in her second season with the Wenatchee Wild as an account executive. She is a 2021 graduate of Washington State University with a major in public relations and a minor in sports communication.  Sarah is from Ephrata and has played sports since she was little. From basketball to cheer she is an all-around sports fan! She is excited to be part of the Wild staff.

“I believe Mandela said it best: 'Sport has the power to change the world.' I want to be part of that change.”

BOOKKEEPER - Jesi Richardson
jrichardson@wenatcheewildhockey.com

Jesi Richardson joined the Wenatchee Wild at the end of the 2016-2017 Season as their Bookkeeper. Jesi was born and raised in the Wenatchee Valley, and graduated from Central Washington University.  For the last two years, she has played an active role as Secretary and Registrar for the Wenatchee Amateur Hockey Association.  Away from the office, you will find her at the rink a majority of her time as both of her sons participate in Youth Hockey. She has a passion for hockey and her family have been Season Ticket Members for numerous years.  She is honored to be a part of the Wenatchee Wild team and is excited about being a part of this great organization.   Go Wild!  

MEDIA RELATIONS & BROADCAST MANAGER – Austin Draude
adraude@wenatcheewildhockey.com

Austin Draude joined the Wild in October 2022 as the team's Media Relations and Broadcast Manager, after a nine-year run with the North Iowa Bulls of the North American Hockey League. He served part-time as the team's primary play-by-play voice before moving into a full-time Director of Media role in 2019. Draude filled a number of roles for the Bulls, broadcasting games for the team as well as overseeing the team's social media, graphic design and multimedia efforts. He also helped to see the team through its move to a new arena in 2020 and its transition from the North American 3 Hockey League to the NAHL the following year.

A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Austin is blessed to have a chance to call the Wenatchee Valley home and excited to be a part of the Wild family.

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MEDIA & MERCHANDISE – Kimber McLaughlin
kmclaughlin@wenatcheewildhockey.com

Kimber McLaughlin joined the Wild in October 2022 as the team's Director of Digital Media and Merchandise, handling a number of creative duties for the team, including graphic design, social media and merchandising.

McLaughlin enters the Wild family with extensive experience serving clients in the state of Washington, most recently on a freelance basis and for Horizon Credit Union in Spokane Valley. Their work was an important part of Horizon’s advertising and communication efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the company’s largest merger to date.

While at Eastern Washington University, Kimber handled graphic design and multimedia editing duties for EWU Marcom in Cheney, Washington, managing EWU and EWU Global’s internal marketing and social media. McLaughlin was also closely involved with Eastern Washington’s marketing efforts through the school’s commercials, programs, sports graphics and webshow, “Get tü Class," prior to graduating from the university in 2017.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER – Jeri Elsasser
jelsasser@wenatcheewildhockey.com

Jeri Elsasser joined the Wenatchee Wild in 2013 as a graphic designer in Fresno, California, joining the staff with team owners David and Lisa White. She graduated from Fresno State in 2008 and began her marketing career full-time in hockey with the Fresno Falcons Hockey Team in the ECHL after a year-long internship. She then went on to become the first staff member hired when the Fresno Monsters Hockey Team formed in 2009, working as the Marketing Director for both the WSHL and NAHL teams. Away from the office, Jeri is a proud wife, mom, and avid Colorado Avalanche Hockey fan. GO WILD!

Office Manager – Maddy Corgiat
mcorgiat@wenatcheewildhockey.com

Maddy recently graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in sports management. She grew up playing sports and she loved visiting Wenatchee for tournaments. Maddy is competitive by nature and loves the camaraderie of sports, but most of all likes being behind the scenes making the competition happen. At Central Washington University she officiated different levels of intramural sports.

Accountant- Michelle Scarabello

Michelle Scarabello was born and raised in Fresno, California. She attended California State University, Fresno and graduated with a degree in Business Administration, emphasis in Accounting, in 2016. She still resides in Fresno and currently works for Krikorian & Company Accountancy Corporation. She's worked for Krikorian & Company since early 2016.

Michelle loves sports, but hockey is her favorite. She's been to many NHL games and loves the experience. As a hockey fan, she was very excited for this opportunity and officially joined the Wenatchee Wild in February 2020.

BROADCASTER EMERITUS – Arch Ecker

Arch Ecker joined the Wenatchee Wild in the summer of 2016 after working 20 seasons of junior hockey in the AFHL, AWHL, and NAHL, all Tier II Junior A leagues. He'd spent the prior ten seasons with the Topeka (and Santa Fe) RoadRunners, following four seasons with the Helena Bighorns and six with the Butte Irish. He performed numerous duties over the years with the teams in the front office and was a talented musician, playing in the band "No Promises" and releasing his first single, "I've Got a Feeling," just before his passing in September 2022. However, his true passion remained broadcasting, calling nearly 1,500 regular season and playoff games at the Tier II level, and dozens more at Tier III and Junior B levels.

Though Arch is no longer with us, he will always be a member of the Wild family!

The game day experience for Wenatchee Wild fans is one that we strive to make special and memorable. It takes a coordinated effort by dozens of individuals to make every Wild home game not just a thrilling spectacle of sport, but a family friendly, bright and colorful event.

AV Booth

• Ernie Rodriguez - Public Address Announcer
• Bethany Morrison - Graphics
• Quin Gist- Graphics
• Arthur Gutierrez - Sky Cam
• Kellen Manhart - Music
• Richmond Rodriguez - Music
• Lee Dawson - AV Booth Coordinator
• Cameras Operated by Wenatchee Valley Tech Students
• Randy Dawson – Game Day Videographer
• Russ Alman – Team Photographer
• Jeff Balauro- Team photographer

Off-Ice Officials

• Suzy Howard – Computer Scorekeeper / Off-Ice Scheduler
• Lonnie Howard – Goal Judge / Penalty Box
• Megan Howard – Shot Chart / Stats
• Jim Clark – Score Sheet
• Chris Conrath – Goal Judge
• Howard Perryman – Clock / Scoresheet / Penalty Box
• John Bleichner – Penalty Box
• Brad Buchsieb – Shots / Stats / Goal Judge

Part time off-ice officials include: Michelle Singleton, Willow Merritt, Casi Tarr, Josh Tarr, Monte Montoya, Gary Roy, Lisa Peterson, Russ Peterson.

Ushers

• Debbie Gravelle - Lead Usher

Merchandise

• Julie Seward – Merchandise
• Lizzie Seward - Merchandise

Interns

• Maddy Corgiat- Senior Intern

For info on becoming an intern: https://www.wenatcheewildhockey.com/wild-interns/

Back of House

• Chris Berg – Director of Operations (TTC)
• Jared “Big J” Lubean – Zamboni Driver / Back of house
• Jeremy Posenjak – Zamboni Driver

Mascot Coordinator

• Lisa Miller – Mascot Coordinator