Brian Meisner begins his first season as an assistant with the University of Connecticut after spending the last 10 years coaching in the junior hockey leagues. With the Huskies, Meisner’s responsibilities will include providing support to assistant coach/recruiting coordinator Glenn Stewart’s effort regarding the enrollment of potential student-athletes, as well as on ice practices and bench management duties. He will also take charge of the advanced scouting of the Huskies opponents.

Most recently, Meisner was the head coach and general manager of the Wichita Falls Wildcats (Texas) of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) where he coached current Husky Chris Ochoa for two seasons. Beginning in 2004, he was a major contributor to the revitalization of the team after it had folded under previous ownership. During his tenure with Wichita Falls, he recorded a 148-114-26 record while developing more than 20 players who advanced to Division I hockey programs and placing twice as many at the Division III level.

Meisner also spent two seasons as the head coach/general manager of the Wichita Falls Rustlers (2002-04) and one season leading the Butte Irish (2001-02). With the Rustlers, Meisner led the team to a Junior A expansion record 43 wins in the first season after improving the Irish’s record by 18 wins (21-28-7). For his effort with both teams, he was awarded the American West Hockey League Coach of the Year distinction for two consecutive seasons.

He began his junior hockey career in the United States Hockey League as an assistant coach and general manager of the Waterloo Black Hawks, where he recruited and coached over 50 Division I collegiate players including Andrew Alberts of the Boston Bruins.

Prior to his successful stint in the junior hockey system, Meisner spent a season refining his coaching skills at Duluth Central High School in Duluth, Minn.

Meisner graduated in 1993 from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth Minn. and remained with the Saints until 1996 as an assistant coach under Bill Watson, a Hobey Baker Award winner. At his alma mater, he was responsible for recruiting and scouting while also holding a full time position within the college.

He also has related experiences with the USA Hockey Select Festivals, coaching in the Central District from 1998-99 and has represented the Rocky Mountain District since 2005.

Meisner has also spent the past three years coaching at the National 15 Select Camp.

The Cloquet, Minn. native, was involved with the USA hockey Top Prospects Tournament coaching the 1999 “At Large” team and the AWHL team in 2002.