Blais Finalizes Maverick Hockey Staff
Jun 24, 2009 | General, Hockey
OMAHA, Neb. – UNO head hockey coach #Dean Blais# announced today the hiring of his coaching staff for the 2009-2010 season, his first behind the bench for the Mavericks. Former Omaha Lancers coach Mike Hastings will assume the position of Associate Head Coach while Nick Fohr, an assistant coach under former coach #Mike Kemp#, will be retained in the same capacity.
“Mike Hastings has a proven track record of developing players for Division I college hockey, and he will be a great asset as we work to take UNO to the next level,” said Blais. “In addition, Nick Fohr has done a fine job during his two years as an assistant coach at UNO, and he will provide continuity to our program both on the ice and in recruiting.”
Hastings returns to Omaha after one season as an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota. Prior to that, he spent 14 years as the coach of the Lancers where he became the winningest coach in the history of the United States Hockey League. He never had a losing season in Omaha, compiling a career record of 529-210-56. He led the Lancers to the USHL's Clark Cup championship during his final season of 2007-08, one of three playoff championships during his time in Omaha. He was twice named the USHL's Coach of the Year and as the team's general manager, was named the league's GM of the year five times.
Hastings has international coaching experience as well. He was an assistant coach for the U.S. national junior team in the 2003 and 2005 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championships. He twice coached the USA junior select team in the Viking Cup including its first-ever gold medal in 2000. The native of Crookston, Minn. played college hockey at St. Cloud State for two seasons before an injury ended his career.
Fohr will be entering his third season as an assistant coach in the fall. Prior to assuming his current position, he was UNO's director of hockey operations from 2004-2007. The native of Grand Forks, N.D. played for the Mavericks from 1998-2002, graduating with a degree in exercise science. He had 15 goals and 10 assists while playing in 139 games during his four-year career.
