Staff

General Manager · gm@bassanobeavershockey.com

Phil
Bateman

Toronto, Ontario native Phillip Bateman, a 2000 graduate of the University of Toronto, has been named General Manager of the Bassano Beavers' USPHL men's hockey program. He will begin his first season in the role in May 2026.

Bateman brings over 23 years of experience across the collegiate, professional, and high school levels. Prior to joining the Beavers, he spent nine seasons as Head Coach of the San Diego State University ACHA Division I program. During his tenure, he guided the Aztecs to three consecutive regional tournament appearances (2015–2017) and established the program as a perennial national contender. Under his leadership, SDSU recorded seven straight winning seasons (2015–2022) and set a club record with 111 wins.

Before his time at San Diego State, Bateman held coaching roles — both assistant and head coach — at Neumann University, University of Massachusetts Boston, and University of Massachusetts Amherst. He also gained professional experience in women's hockey as an assistant coach in the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL), a precursor to today's Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).

Widely respected for his ability to identify talent and elevate performance, Bateman has built a reputation for developing competitive teams and fostering player growth both on and off the ice. His leadership philosophy centers on discipline, accountability, and teamwork, while cultivating a culture grounded in hard work and respect. Throughout his career, he has mentored dozens of athletes who have advanced to collegiate and professional hockey, underscoring his lasting impact on player development and program success.

Head Coach

Knut
Hornkvist

Swedish-born Head Coach Knut Hornkvist brings a player-first approach and a fresh voice to a new Bassano Beavers program.

Knut was a forward whose playing career spanned youth, prep, and junior hockey across five states and two countries. He started in the Chicago area before relocating east to Connecticut for two years at a hockey academy, then to New Hampshire, finishing his junior career with the Potomac Patriots in Virginia and the San Diego Sabers in California. He trained regularly in Sweden throughout his development, attending camps under international coaches and playing within European systems — building an understanding of how development models and styles of play differ across programs.

Knut spent the 2025–2026 season as Assistant Coach of the San Diego Sabers, where he planned and delivered on-ice practices and individual skill development sessions alongside the head coach for a junior-age roster on a development path toward Tier 2, NCAA, and ACHA programs.