Men's Hockey Head Coach - Luke Strand

Luke Strand

Luke Strand enters his second season as the head men’s hockey coach for the Blugolds. Strand will also work in the athletic department responsible for event management.

Strand, who played for Blugold coach Ian Perrin from 1993-97, comes to the Blugolds after a two-year stint as an assistant coach and assistant general manager with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League. During his tenure in Green Bay the Gamblers had 11 players drafted by the National Hockey League (NHL), including a first round selection in the 2005 draft.

A graduate of Eau Claire North High School, Strand played his prep hockey for Tom Kuklinski and then went on to play for the Junior A North Iowa Huskies from 1991-93 before joining the Blugolds.

As a Blugold, he ranks among the top 20 all-time career scorers with 85 points (41 g, 44 a) during a 104-game career. He was given the Wally Akervik Memorial Award as the top freshman in 1994 and received the Most Dedicated Player Award and was a team captain during his junior and senior seasons. He was a member of one of the school’s most successful teams in 1994-95 when the Blugolds finished 16-11 overall.

Following his career at UWEC, Strand spent two seasons with the Madison Monsters and one season with the Madison Kodiaks of the UHL. Strand was named the team Rookie of the Year and was selected as team captain in his final two seasons in Madison. When his playing career ended, he became an assistant coach and head JV coach with the perennially powerful St. Norbert men’s hockey program under head coach Tim Coghlin. The Green Knights were 68-15-5 during his three seasons on the staff with an NCAA Frozen Four appearance in 2002-03. He recruited the 2003-04 team that finished runner-up in the NCAA Division III national tournament.

Strand had this comment about his selection as the head Blugold coach. “First of all, I am particularly grateful to Director of Athletics Scott Kilgallon and the UW-Eau Claire administration for the opportunity of becoming the head coach of the men’s ice hockey program. I look forward to building relationships with the players, supporters and staff at UWEC. My vision and passion for this position will help create a great environment for student-athletes to grow in.”

Updated 10/17/06