Shakopee Youth Hockey Association Welcomes Accomplished Hockey Executive as New Hockey Director
Shakopee Youth Hockey Association (SYHA) is excited to announce the hiring of Shep Harder as its new Hockey Director. A former NCAA Division I and professional goaltender, Harder brings a combination of elite playing experience, NHL front-office leadership, and entrepreneurial success to one of SYHA’s most essential roles.
Harder spent over a decade with the Minnesota Wild, where he served as Assistant General Manager, managed a $120 million hockey operations budget, and negotiated more than $600 million in player contracts. He also led the NHL’s first Research & Analytics Enablement team, blending traditional scouting with modern performance data to drive a competitive advantage.
Beyond the NHL, Harder served as Executive Director at a Fortune 90 financial services firm, where he led strategic planning, operational oversight, and advisor development. Most recently, he has operated at the forefront of sports technology as a two-time startup COO, raising capital, launching innovative digital products, and transforming how coaches, scouts, and athletes access performance insights through his current venture, The Sports Aux.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Shep to our leadership team,” said Chris Johnson, SYHA President. “His ability to blend high-performance culture with long-term vision and thoughtful leadership makes him the ideal person to guide our program forward.”
A passionate coach and mentor, Harder brings a player-first philosophy built around one goal: “make kids feel successful.” He has coached at Colgate, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and with USA Hockey’s U20 World Junior Team, while also collaborating with NHL, AHL, and NCAA coaches throughout his distinguished career. Today, he channels these experiences into youth hockey, helping young athletes grow in skill and confidence while developing their passion for the game.
“I’m honored to join SYHA and help build a program where development goes beyond the rink,” said Harder. This is about building people and creating a culture of excellence that prepares young athletes for life, not just the next game. Harder holds dual M.B.A./M.S. degrees from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and a B.A. from Colgate University, where he was a five-time school record holder and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year.
His leadership reflects a one-of-a-kind journey from professional athlete to front-office executive to entrepreneurial builder, uniquely positioning him to elevate the SYHA experience for players, families, and coaches alike.