University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire Women's Ice Hockey

Strand enters his second season as head coach for the womens ice hockey team in 2016-2017 at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Hired in May 2015, Strand became the second coach in program history. The Blugolds finished their 2015-2016 season placing 4th in the WIAC with a 2-8-2 record, and a 9-15-5 record overall. Strand was given the title of the WIAC Coach of the Year in 2016. Strand, a 2002 mens hockey alumnus, has been an assistant coach for the mens team for the past eight seasons. The Bloomington, Minn. native played three years in juniors following high school and won the Anderson Cup and a national championship with the Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) before starting his Blugold career where he played in 104 games. Strand joined the Blugold coaching ranks in 2005 when current mens head coach Matt Loen took the helm. Together, they have coached 10 First Team All-National Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) and 12 NCHA honorable mention recipients along with 34 NCHA All-Academic selections. In the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) they have coached 17 All-WIAC First Team and 19 All-WIAC Honorable Mention honorees in addition to four All-Americans and one CoSIDA Academic All-American. The Blugolds won NCHA and WIAC Championships in 2012 and 2013. Following the 2013 season and the programs first NCAA Division III National Championship, the coaching staff received national awards including USCHO and D3Hockey.com National Coach of the Year honors. Strand also earned the UW-Eau Claire Joe Merten Coaching Award, an award honoring Blugold basketball Hall of Famer Joe Merten who died in 2008. According to the familys criteria for the award, the recipient shall demonstrate a deep commitment to the student-athletes and embody a passion for lifelong learning and the love of the game. Strand managed the Blugold defense that holds several NCAA records, including season goalie save percentage (.972), goals-against average (.71) and goalie winning percentage (.944) (Jay Deo, set in 2014). Last season, the Blugolds were ranked sixth nationally in penalty kills and 17th in team defense. Strand resides in Eau Claire with his wife, Andrea (02) and son, Gavin (6) and Nora (3).    Updated: 3/9/16