“His mentality is perfect for development. It’s not rushed, it’s all about the process,” said APX General Manager Erik Rasmussen about the hire. “It’s going to be a seamless fit for everybody.”

Schulze will be the first point of contact for kids in the MAP South program at the Juniors, High School and Bantam levels but he will still be very involved with all the other age groups too. He will mainly be out on the ice at the rink in West St. Paul but he will also be helping out at St. Thomas Ice Arena from time to time as well.

“It was a very easy thing to say yes to,” said Schulze about accepting his new position. “I know a lot of the kids and a lot of the families that have gone through the program from when they were young and now they’re in high school. My day to day won’t change too much - it’s just a new title now and being the director of those three tiers.”

The former Hill-Murray captain and left-shot defenseman skated in the USHL for one season prior to a four-year collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin. After his time in the NCAA, Schulze competed professionally in the ECHL, AHL and overseas in Sweden, Germany, Norway, England and Italy. He earned his Bachelor’s degree while competing for the Badgers and he eventually added a Master’s degree in Sport Business Management from Sheffield Hallam University while he skated professionally in England.

“He has literally climbed the ranks of the sport all the way into professional hockey and has stayed with APX the entire time,” added Rasmussen. “He’s probably one of the best skaters to ever come through our program.” 

Schulze currently lives in the White Bear Lake area and is already hard at work in his new position.