Head Coach Eric Means
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While with the men's programs, Means worked with the MSU defensemen and in addition to on-ice coaching and administrative responsibilities, has also monitored student-athlete academic progress and served as MSU"s recruiting coordinator.
During his time with Minnesota State, the Mavericks have placed 97 student athletes on the WCHA All-Academic Squad and have 10 All-WCHA players, and a pair of Mavericks named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team as well as honored as WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year.
Several Mavericks have gone on and played hockey after their career at Minnesota State, including six Mavericks who are currently in the NHL (Tim Jackman, New York Islanders, Grant Stevenson, Atlanta Thrashers, David Backes, St. Louis Blues, Ryan Carter, Anaheim Ducks and Steve Wagner, St. Louis Blues, Jon Kalinski, Philadelphia Flyers).
Carter, who was called up by Anaheim on May 17, 2007, during its Western Conference championship series with Detroit, became the first Maverick to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup as the Ducks downed the Red Wings and then defeated Ottawa in the Stanley Cup finals.
Means is a former defenseman at the University of Minnesota (94 grad), and during his playing career, the Gophers claimed one league regular season and two play-off titles, and advanced to the NCAA post-season tournament from 1989-94. He redshirted during the 1990-91 season, but was selected to play for Team USA at the World University Games. He accumulated eight goals and 40 points in 123 games and as a senior received the Doc Romnes Leadership and Sportsman Award.
The Rochester, Minn., native earned a master's degree from MSU in 1997 and has served as a coach at several USA Hockey select camps.
Means and his wife, Leah, have a daughter (Riley) and son (Logan) and reside in North Mankato.
