Means Named Minnesota State Women's Hockey Coach
Complete Release in PDF Format 
May 11, 2009
Mankato, Minn. -- Kevin Buisman, Director of Athletics, has announced that Eric Means has been named head coach of the Minnesota State women's hockey program.
"I am pleased to announce the hiring of Eric Means as our new head women's hockey coach," Buisman said. "Eric has done an excellent job with the men's program and his knowledge of the University and community will ensure that this transition will be a smooth one. With over 14 years of college hockey experience I am absolutely convinced that Eric is ready to lead our women's program as head coach. Eric is a tireless worker with a well-established recruiting network that should have an immediate and positive impact. With Eric at the helm, I am excited about the future direction of Maverick women's hockey."
Means has been a member of the Minnesota State men's hockey coaching staff for 14 seasons. During this time, the Mavericks have transitioned from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I and have been members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association since 1999-2000. Means worked with 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.
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.
The Mavericks (12-19-5 overall, 7-16-5 WCHA) had a rough start to the season, but made program history in the final four weeks of the 2008-09 season. MSU tied then-#2 Wisconsin, 3-3, Feb. 14 for just its second point all-time against the Badgers. The Mavericks then swept Ohio State in Columbus for the first time in program history, Feb. 20-21. Those five conference points sent MSU to St. Cloud State for the first round of the playoffs Feb. 27-March 1. In that series, the Maverick picked-up their first-ever playoff game victory and first-ever playoff series victory. The series win sent MSU to its first-ever appearance at the WCHA Final Face-Off, March 7.
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