University of Connecticut Athletics
Meisner Joins Men's Ice Hockey As Assistant Coach
8/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
STORRS, Conn. (August 14, 2007) -– University of Connecticut men’s ice hockey head coach Bruce Marshall has announced Brian Meisner will join his staff as an assistant coach starting in August.
“I am elated to have Brian join our staff,” said Marshall. “He will be an asset to the program bringing a wealth of knowledge of the junior league system and its players which will help in our recruiting efforts, but also his time as a head coach will add a new dimension to our game preparation.”
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.
“I would like to thank Coach Marshall for the opportunity to begin a career at the Division I level after spending a decade in junior hockey,” said Meisner.
Most recently, Meisner was the head coach and general manager of the Wichita Falls Wildcats (Texas) of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). 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 the Wildcats, 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 and was involved with the USA hockey Top Prospects Tournament coaching the 1999 “At Large” team and the AWHL team in 2002.
The Cloquet, Minn. native, earned an undergraduate degree in communications with a minor in management from the College of St. Scholastica.
