Johnson Named New Assistant Coach
Jun 5, 2012 | General, Hockey
OMAHA, Neb. – University of Nebraska Omaha head hockey coach Dean Blais announced today that Steve Johnson has been named the team's new assistant coach. He replaces Mike Hastings who left UNO following the 2011-12 season to take the head coach position at Minnesota State.
“I'm very pleased to have a coach of Steve's caliber fill the void left by Mike Hastings' departure,” said Blais. “Steve has the ability to be a great recruiter for us, and his on-ice skills as a coach are very strong as shown by his work in both the United States Hockey League and at the college level. His knowledge and experience will make our team stronger. ”
Johnson spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at WCHA rival school St. Cloud State. Prior to that, he succeeded Blais as the head coach of the Fargo Force of the USHL where he coached for one season, leading the Force to the 2010 Clark Cup Finals.
“My family and I are excited to be back in Nebraska after spending 11 years here previously, and I'm excited to work with Dean and Brian Renfrew,” said Johnson. “As we look ahead to the last season in the WCHA and moving into the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference, these are exciting times for UNO hockey.
“I'd also like to thank Bob Motzko and St. Cloud State for the opportunity to coach with another outstanding program for the last two seasons.”
Johnson is no stranger to hockey in Nebraska. He was named the head coach of the Lincoln Stars of the USHL in 1996, one year into his coaching career. In his first season at Lincoln, Johnson led the team to a 40-13-1 record and a Clark Cup championship. This would mark the start of a decade long run at Lincoln during which Johnson's teams won 30-plus games nine times.
He was named the USHL Coach of the Year in 1996, 2000 and 2001, and he led the Stars to a second Clark Cup title as playoff champions in 2003. Johnson also led Lincoln to Anderson Cups (USHL regular season champions) in 2000, 2001 and 2003. Johnson has a career record of 470-223-54 and ranks fourth in league history for career wins. His career winning percentage of .665 ranks fifth all time in the USHL.
A Grand Forks, N.D. native, Johnson skated for the University of North Dakota from 1984 to 1988 while Blais was an assistant coach there. He earned All-WCHA and All-America status during his collegiate career and helped UND to a national title in 1987. As a senior, Johnson was a Hobey Baker Award finalist and was named the WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year in 1988.
In his four years at UND, Johnson recorded 191 points including 70 goals in 153 career games. As a senior, Johnson posted 85 points (34-51-85) for UND.
A 1987 draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks, Johnson played professionally for two seasons in the IHL with the Milwaukee Admirals and the Phoenix Roadrunners.
“I'm very pleased to have a coach of Steve's caliber fill the void left by Mike Hastings' departure,” said Blais. “Steve has the ability to be a great recruiter for us, and his on-ice skills as a coach are very strong as shown by his work in both the United States Hockey League and at the college level. His knowledge and experience will make our team stronger. ”
Johnson spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at WCHA rival school St. Cloud State. Prior to that, he succeeded Blais as the head coach of the Fargo Force of the USHL where he coached for one season, leading the Force to the 2010 Clark Cup Finals.
“My family and I are excited to be back in Nebraska after spending 11 years here previously, and I'm excited to work with Dean and Brian Renfrew,” said Johnson. “As we look ahead to the last season in the WCHA and moving into the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference, these are exciting times for UNO hockey.
“I'd also like to thank Bob Motzko and St. Cloud State for the opportunity to coach with another outstanding program for the last two seasons.”
Johnson is no stranger to hockey in Nebraska. He was named the head coach of the Lincoln Stars of the USHL in 1996, one year into his coaching career. In his first season at Lincoln, Johnson led the team to a 40-13-1 record and a Clark Cup championship. This would mark the start of a decade long run at Lincoln during which Johnson's teams won 30-plus games nine times.
He was named the USHL Coach of the Year in 1996, 2000 and 2001, and he led the Stars to a second Clark Cup title as playoff champions in 2003. Johnson also led Lincoln to Anderson Cups (USHL regular season champions) in 2000, 2001 and 2003. Johnson has a career record of 470-223-54 and ranks fourth in league history for career wins. His career winning percentage of .665 ranks fifth all time in the USHL.
A Grand Forks, N.D. native, Johnson skated for the University of North Dakota from 1984 to 1988 while Blais was an assistant coach there. He earned All-WCHA and All-America status during his collegiate career and helped UND to a national title in 1987. As a senior, Johnson was a Hobey Baker Award finalist and was named the WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year in 1988.
In his four years at UND, Johnson recorded 191 points including 70 goals in 153 career games. As a senior, Johnson posted 85 points (34-51-85) for UND.
A 1987 draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks, Johnson played professionally for two seasons in the IHL with the Milwaukee Admirals and the Phoenix Roadrunners.
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