Breaking: Minnesota State names Luke Strand head coach
Minnesota State hired Luke Strand as the program’s next head coach Monday morning. Strand takes over for Mike Hastings, who accepted the job at Wisconsin two weeks ago.
"It is an honor to be chosen as the next men's hockey coach at Minnesota State University," said Strand. "I am grateful to President Inch and Director of Athletics Kevin Buisman for this opportunity. The alumni who have paved the path before us have proven that this is a special place, and that is an important responsibility to uphold as we start this next chapter.
“We will play with tenacity, pace, and be connected as a team. I cannot wait to start with our student-athletes, welcome our incoming class of players, and discover future Mavericks."
Strand, 50, just completed his first season on Steve Rohlik’s staff at Ohio State. Before joining the Buckeyes, Strand spent five seasons as head coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL, where he built the team into a Clark Cup Champion in 2022.
Strand also has experience at the pro level as a scout and assistant coach. A Wisconsin native, he was previously the head coach at UW-Eau Claire from 2005-07 and was an associate head coach for one season at Wisconsin (2015-16).
"We are very excited to bring this process to closure and to announce this tremendously important leadership change,” said Minnesota State AD Kevin Buisman. “The Maverick hockey brand is founded on outworking our opponents in every facet of the game, and Luke has created a reputation for developing a culture built on that identity. He impresses me as someone who is more than ready to put in the type of hard work he knows will be necessary to continue the program's upward trajectory by building upon a solidly established foundation.
"Luke is well-connected across the game and has a wide array of valuable experiences. Through our extensive conversations, I am confident that he is committed to operating a program on and off the ice that will make all those who support Maverick hockey very proud."
I’ll have more on Strand’s hiring in a newsletter posted later on Monday.
Luke Strand’s Resume
2003-05: Assistant Coach, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
2005-07: Head Coach, UW-Eau Claire (NCAA-III)
2007-09: Assistant Coach, Houston Aeros (AHL)
2009-11: Head Coach/GM, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
2011-13: Assistant Coach, Abbotsford Heat (AHL)
2013-14: General Manager, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
2014-15: Head Coach/GM, Madison Capitols (USHL)
2015-16: Assoc. Head Coach, Wisconsin (NCAA)
2016-17: Scout, Calgary Flames (NHL)
2017-22: Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
2022-23: Assistant Coach, Ohio State (NCAA)