LANCERS ADD BRIAN KAUFMAN TO COACHING STAFF

Press Release

OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) are pleased to announce they have added Brian Kaufman to the coaching staff for the upcoming 2012-2013 season. A 28-year-old native of Shoreview, Minnesota, Kaufman began his coaching career last season as an assistant coach at Miami University (Ohio).

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Brian to the Omaha Lancers,” Head Coach/GM Mike Aikens said. “His passion and knowledge of the game coupled with his innate leadership abilities will be a tremendous benefit to the Lancers organization.”

The addition of Kaufman marks a reunion between him and Aikens as Kaufman played for the now-Lancers bench boss from 2002-2005 when they were both members of the Billings Bulls of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). During that three-year window, the Bulls posted a 112-45-8 overall record while capturing two league championships. Kaufman notched 66 goals and 134 points during his time in Billings while leading the team in scoring in each of his final two seasons and captaining the team in his final campaign.

Following his time in Billings, Kaufman joined the Miami (OH) RedHawks where he tallied 30 goals and 84 points during his four-year career. A captain during his senior season, Kaufman was a part of the first RedHawks team in school history to make the NCAA National Championship game and the first team in school history to reach the NCAA’s Frozen Four. His class was responsible for 106 wins from 2005-2009, making them the winningest college program during that time.

After his collegiate career, Kaufman spent the 2009-10 season with the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL) and Gwinnett Gladiators of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) before suiting up for the Bloomington PrairieThunder of the Central Hockey League (CHL) during the 2010-11 campaign.

Most recently, Kaufman spent last season as an assistant coach for the RedHawks where he helped to break down game film, assisted in skill development with players and contributed to in-game strategy.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)