The College of St. Scholastica

Nate Pionk joined the St. Scholastica men’s hockey coaching staff as an assistant coach in 2026.

A Hermantown, Minnesota, native, Pionk returned to St. Scholastica after a playing career that included four seasons with the Saints and two seasons of professional hockey.

During his collegiate career at St. Scholastica, Pionk studied nursing and was a three-year captain for the Saints. Following graduation, he went on to play 77 professional games, with the majority of those appearances coming in the ECHL.

Before attending St. Scholastica, Pionk played junior hockey in Minot, North Dakota.

Pionk brings experience as a former Saints captain, professional player and Duluth-area native to the St. Scholastica coaching staff.