Kapetanovic Promoted to Assistant General Manager
BISMARCK, N.D.–The Bismarck Bobcats, proud member of the North American Hockey League, have announced the promotion of Niko Kapetanovic to assistant general manager.
Kapetanovic, a former Bobcat player who has served on the staff since 2017, jumps up from Director of Scouting, a role he had held since 2020. Kapetanovic’s duty as top recruiter will remain the same in his new position.
“I am fortunate to be involved in one of, if not the most, premiere program in the NAHL,” Kapetanovic said. “There is such a stable environment. Layne Sedevie has been there forever. (Owner) Thom Brigl has, too.”
Sedevie, the head coach and general manager, combines with Kapetanovic on a day-to-day basis to build and improve the Bobcats’ current and future teams.
“When I think of a general manager, we share that role equally,” Sedevie said. “Everything that we do from a player personnel standpoint is done through both myself and Niko. He has done a fantastic job recruiting players.”
The Bobcats, who will begin their 27th season in September, are the second-oldest active franchise in the NAHL. In Sedevie’s 13 seasons, Bismarck has won at least 28 games in 12 of them, a mark of consistency. This year’s squad led the central division in scoring.
Kapetanovic’s junior hockey days began in Bismarck with a 20-game stint during the 2007-08 season. The Wisconsin native would come back to the VFW Sports Center as a visitor with the Albert Lea Thunder over the next two years.
“Bismarck is such a special place for junior hockey and in general,” Kapetanovic said. “For me to be given this role for such a fantastic program is pretty special. Everyone who comes to Bismarck and plays against us knows the atmosphere. The long history of players that we have had who went on to play Division I and professionally, it does not get much better.”
Kapetanovic considers this promotion to be a full-circle moment for his hockey career. Work for the 2023-24 season is well underway.
“The goal is to bring a championship back to Bismarck,” Kapetanovic said. “I think we are close.”