Former Minnesota women’s captain Sarah Erickson has been named the new head women’s coach at Concordia (Minn.).
Erickson, who captained for the Gophers in both the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, replaces Brett Bruininks, who left to take the women’s assistant position at Minnesota State.
Erickson becomes the sixth head coach in the history of the Concordia program since its inception in 1999. She is also the youngest head coach in the history of athletics at Concordia and comes to the Cobbers after serving as an assistant coach at Wisconsin-Stevens Point during the 2012-13 campaign.
“Sarah’s high-level experience at the high school, collegiate and international levels made her stand out from the other candidates,” said Concordia athletic director Rich Glas in a news release. “She has a tremendous background in the game and her knowledge of the area and what it takes to compete at the highest level in the sport will help the program continue to be very successful. We are ecstatic to be able to have Sarah take control of the program.”
“I’m excited to continue to build the program,” added Erickson, who was Minnesota’s Ms. Hockey award winner in 2008. “To be a part of a program, athletic department and college like Concordia is a phenomenal opportunity. Throughout my 20 years in hockey, I have been coached by the best of the best. I have been a sponge soaking up all the information I could and I want to take that knowledge and give it to my players.”
Most recently, Erickson played for the United States National Team that played in the 2013 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Ottawa, Ont., and defeated Canada in the title game. Erickson’s international experience also includes captaining the U.S. Under-18 Team that won gold in 2008.
At Minnesota, Erickson piled up 69 goals and 86 assists for 155 points in 158 games.
Erickson will start her coaching duties at Concordia on August 19. She will also be involved in other aspects of the athletic and health and physical education departments, according to the news release.
