Niagara associate head coach Tim Madsen has been named the head coach of the Minnesota Wilderness of the North American Hockey League.
Madsen, originally from Elk River, Minn., has spent the past seven years on the Niagara coaching staff, beginning as an assistant coach in 2010 and rising to associate head coach in 2013.
“I have greatly enjoyed the past seven years coaching at Niagara University,” Madsen said in a statement. “The opportunity to be a head coach is something that I am very excited for professionally. I would like to thank Father Maher, Simon Gray, Steve Butler, and especially Dave Burkholder for the chance to work at my alma mater. Dave is, and always will be, a mentor and true friend. I cannot wait to watch the Purple Eagles contend for the Atlantic Hockey title next season.”
Madsen served as the recruiting coordinator for Niagara in each of his seven seasons behind the bench. He was promoted to associate head coach following the 2012-13 season, during which the Purple Eagles amassed a record of 23-10-5, winning the Atlantic Hockey regular-season title and becoming the first Atlantic Hockey program to earn an at-large NCAA tournament bid.
“I am so happy for Tim and his new position,” Burkholder added. “He was a tremendous player and coach for us at Niagara. He gave everything that he had to this program. I am sure he will find success as the head coach of the Wilderness.”
Prior to Niagara, Madsen spent one season as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator of the St. Louis Bandits in the NAHL. Serving as an assistant to head coach for former NHL player Jeff Brown, Madsen helped the Bandits to a 42-9-7 record, winning the South Division championship and a regular-season title en route to a Tier II national championship.
Madsen played 74 games over three seasons for the Purple Eagles from 2004 to 2007. He was named an assistant captain for the 2006-07 season before suffering a career-ending injury seven games into his junior campaign. Madsen went on to graduate from Niagara in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in business management and a minor in leadership.
