Vermont Women’s Hockey Welcomes Erik Strand as New Assistant Coach
BURLINGTON, Vt. – The Vermont women’s hockey program has announced the appointment of Erik Strand as the new Assistant Coach, as confirmed by Head Coach Jim Plumer on Thursday. Strand arrives in Vermont after a successful decade leading the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC) Blugolds in Division III hockey.
"We are very excited to welcome Erik and his family to Vermont!" Plumer expressed. He emphasized Strand’s extensive hockey knowledge and commitment to athlete development, which he finds crucial for enhancing the program.
A Bloomington, Minnesota native, Strand boasts 20 years of NCAA coaching experience. His tenure at UWEC, which began in 2015, was marked by significant achievements, including a WIAC regular season title in 2020, back-to-back O’Brien Cup championships, and four NCAA tournament appearances. Strand leaves UWEC with an impressive record of 183-68-17, establishing the Blugolds as a reputable force in Division III hockey.
Plumer praised Strand’s coaching acumen, stating he has proven himself as a builder of national contenders. Strand’s accolades include being named WIAC Coach of the Year four times, and under his guidance, the team saw six All-Americans and three WIAC Players of the Year emerge, along with numerous academic honors. Many of his former players have gone on to professional careers or coaching roles.
Before his head coaching role, Strand was an assistant on the UWEC men’s team, contributing to a national championship victory in 2013. His playing career includes notable achievements in junior hockey and a collegiate stint at UWEC.
Off the ice, Strand is also known for his commitment to fostering leadership in student-athletes. The Vermont women’s hockey community looks forward to a successful season ahead under his guidance.
For updates, follow @UVMwhockey on social media and visit UVMathletics.com.
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