FYHA Staff
The staff of the Fargo Youth Hockey Association works both at HA Thompson Arena and in remote settings. Each staff person has posted office hours below for Board Members and/or FYHA general members to set up times to discuss topics.
Please be respectful of the in-season work schedules and communicate via the information below should you desire to speak with a staff member.
FYHA SCHEDULER
Click Here To Schedule A Game With The Freeze
Jeff Nygaard, Executive Director
Jeff Nygaard became FYHA's first-ever executive director in April of 2021. In this role he is in charge of ensuring the day-to-day operations of Fargo Youth Hockey, Inc., are running smoothly while overseeing the FYHA staff.
Nygaard is a Fergus Falls, Minn., native and a 1990 graduate of North Dakota State University. He has more than 30 years experience working in college and youth athletics administration. He is a former sports information director at the University of North Dakota, a former owner/operator of two youth hockey clubs and he helped create and serve as the first executive director of the Eastern Hockey League. On the ice he also officiated more than 300 minor professional hockey games and four USA Hockey National Championship contests.
He and his wife, Sheri, have two sons: Sam (25) and Max (22).
Jeff Nygaard
Phone: 701-532-1727 (VM or Text)
Nate Metcalf, Hockey Director
Nate Metcalf has been the FYHA Hockey Director since May 2021 after many years of serving as a volunteer coach in the organization. As Hockey Director Metcalf is charged with overseeing the competitive and recreational programming for FYHA.
A native of East Grand Forks, Minn., he helped lead the Green Wave to the 1998 state high school hockey tournament before spending two years in the United States Hockey League with Fargo Ice Sharks.
As a collegiate player Metcalf played four years of NCAA Division I hockey with Minnesota State-Mankato before embarking on a five-year professional hockey career that concluded in Germany.
He resides in Fargo with wife, Jessica, and they have three boys and a girl who all play with the Freeze.
Nate Metcalf
Phone: 701-532-1730 (VM or Text)
Brady Vander Velde, Operations
Brady Vander Velde has been the Director of Operations for FYHA since August 2020. He began his career in operations after attending school at Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Brady has more than 12 years of extensive experience managing hockey and event venues. In his role with FYHA, Brady manages the H.A. Thompson & Sons Arena., which is owned and operated by FYHA. He is also in charge of the practice, game and in-house schedules for FYHA and its partner facilities.
Brady owns a home in Fargo and enjoys spending time in the lake area with his friends and family.
Matt Weis, Tournament & Sales Director
Matt Weis has been the FYHA Tournament & Sales Director since August 2021 after interning for the association back in 2019-2020.
As Tournament and Sales Director, Matt is charged with the overall planning of tournament operations and as well as sales and sponsorships for H.A. Thompson & Sons Arena and our tournaments.
Matt grew up in Inver Grove Heights, MN, where he went to Rosemount High School. Matt graduated from NDSU with a degree in Sport Management in May of 2020. Matt has worked with youth in a child care setting for five years.
Matt currently resides in Breckenridge, MN with his wife Abby and their yellow lab, Brinkley.
Matt Weis
Tournament & Sales Director
Phone: 701-532-1728 (VM or Text)
