Re: 2015-2016 Coaching Changes
MSU 3 Finalists
Mankato, Minn. --- Kevin Buisman, Director of Athletics, has announced that three candidates have been selected as finalists in Minnesota State's search for a new women's hockey head coach.
The three finalists, who will visit Mankato as part of the selection process, are listed below.
"This is a talented group of candidates with very diverse backgrounds and a variety of professional experiences," said Buisman. "We have heard a lot of wonderful things about what each of these candidates might bring to our program and I feel very good about these finalists. I am excited about the opportunity to have them visit our campus, so that we can further assess their ability to lead our program, and so they can learn more about Minnesota State women's hockey, the university and our community."
Amber Fryklund, Women's Hockey Assistant Coach, Bemidji State University (April 22 interview)
Has served as an assistant coach with the Bemidji State women's program for the last four years (2011-present) where the Beavers posted a first-round WCHA play-off series win before downing #2-rated Minnesota in advancing to the league's championship game for the first time in 2014-15...Directed BSU penalty-killing units that ranked third in the WCHA the past two seasons and third nationally... Hibbing, Minn., native served as co-head coach of Duluth Northern Stars from 2004-09 and an assistant coach for Proctor-Hermantown-Marshall for two seasons....Has worked hockey camps across the state of Minnesota and also served as an evaluator for USA Hockey in Minnesota for girls ages 16 and 17...2003 Bemidji State grad (she also attained a master's degree from Minnesota Duluth in 2007) finished her four-year collegiate playing career as the school's all-time leading scorer with 59 goals and 63 assists for 122 points in 100 games.
John Harrington, Former Men's Head Coach, St. John's University (April 23 interview)
Former men's hockey coach at St. John's (1993-2008) currently serves as a scout for National Hockey League's Colorado Avalanche...Led the Johnnies to 241-142-31 record with four Minnesota Intercollegiate Hockey Conference play-off and five regular-season titles, along five NCAA tournament appearances...Head coach of Asiago in the Italian National League 2009-11 and head coach for Ambri-Piotta in Swiss National League in 2008...Associate head coach with men's program at St. Cloud State from 1990-93 and assistant coach with the University of Denver men's program from 1984-1990...1979 Minnesota Duluth grad where he played four seasons with the men's hockey program...Member of the United States men's hockey team that captured a gold medal at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid.
Laura Schuler, Women's Hockey Assistant Coach, Minnesota Duluth (April 24 interview)
Has been a member of the Minnesota Duluth women's hockey coaching staff since 2008...Helped recruit and coach 21 U18/Senior National Team/Olympians while at UMD...Served as assistant coach with Canadian National Team that competed at 2015 World Championships...Served as head coach of 2013-14 U18 Canadian National Team and assistant coach on 2012-13 U18 Canadian National Team...Head coach at Northeastern University from 2004-08...Head coach at Massachusetts-Boston from 2001-04 where she was named ECAC Coach of the Year in 2004...Member of Canadian National Team from 1999-2001 (earned silver medal at 1998 Olympics and gold medal at 1990, 1992 and 1997 World Championships)...1994 Northeastern graduate where she posted 64 goals and 57 assists and 121 points in her four seasons with the Huskies...She was inducted into the Northeastern Hall of Fame in 2004.
