Friday, May 31, 2013

Lancers Tab Brian Kaufman as Head Coach and GM

Press Release

 The Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) are pleased to announce that Brian Kaufman has been named Head Coach/GM for the 2013-2014 season.  Kaufman, who served as the team’s assistant coach last year, becomes the 11th Head Coach in the 28-year history of the Lancers.

“We are absolutely thrilled to introduce Brian as the next head coach of the Omaha Lancers,” said Lancers President/Managing Partner Ben Robert.  “He represents everything we’re looking for in a head coach.  He possesses a winning mentality and leadership culture coupled with an ability to relate to today’s players that makes him the perfect fit for our team.”

“I’m incredibly excited for this phenomenal opportunity,” Kaufman said.  “The Omaha Lancers are one of the most storied franchises in junior hockey and I’m looking forward to continuing to be part of something special here in Omaha.”

Kaufman’s appointment as the team’s next head coach comes after an exhaustive search by Lancers’ ownership that lasted nearly seven weeks.

“After reviewing better than 50 applicants and conducting more than 20 interviews, it became clear that Brian was the right choice for the Omaha Lancers,” Robert said.  “He’s only a few years removed from an incredibly successful college career both on and off the ice and as such, is in an ideal position to prepare our players for that same kind of success.  What’s more, he possesses the kinds of intangibles that can’t be taught and was mentored by one of college hockey’s sharpest minds in Miami’s Enrico Blasi.”

Before coming to Omaha last season, Kaufman began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Miami University (Ohio) during the 2011-12 season where the RedHawks produced a 24-15-2 regular season mark en route to a fourth place finish within the CCHA.

Prior to that, Kaufman completed four years under Coach Blasi as a player and served as Miami’s captain during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 campaigns, including the RedHawks’ 2009 NCAA tournament run, which concluded with a heartbreaking 4-3 overtime defeat to Boston University in the NCAA National Championship.

“Through my experiences both in junior and college hockey, I’ve learned what it takes to build a winning culture and a successful program,” Kaufman said.  “The Lancers are already one of the most successful franchises in junior hockey and I look forward to continuing that great tradition by bringing the Clark Cup back to Omaha.”

Kaufman, 29, was born in Shoreview, Minnesota and currently resides in Omaha with his fiancée Chelsea.  He has an MBA from Miami University (Ohio) along with a major in finance and a minor in marketing.

“The USHL is a league of opportunities both for players and coaches,” Robert said.  “Back in 1994, the Lancers hired a young head coach with only three years of assistant coaching experience.  That was Mike Hastings and he became one of the most successful coaches in the history of junior hockey.

“I see many similarities between Coach Kaufman and Coach Hastings,” Robert continued.  “Brian is an outstanding person who comes from a great family.  He has an unrelenting desire to succeed and will represent the Lancers organization with pride and passion.”

Who is Brian Kaufman??

    29 Years Old (Born February 25, 1984).
    Hometown: Shoreview, Minnesota.
    Engaged to Chelsea Miller (Aurora, Nebraska).  To be married late August 2013.
    Parents: Chuck and Sue Kaufman.
    Siblings: Brothers Joe (32) and Craig (27).
    Played high school hockey at Mounds View High School (1998-2000) and with Hill-Murray Pioneers (2000-2002).  Served as team captain during senior season (2001-02).
    Played junior hockey with Billings Bulls (North American Hockey League) (2002-2005).  Served as team captain during 2004-05 season.  Registered 66 goals, 68 assists and 134 points in 147 career games in Billings.
    Played college hockey at Miami University (Ohio) (CCHA) (2005-2009).  Served as team captain during junior and senior seasons (2007-08, 2008-09).  Recorded 30 goals, 54 assists and 84 points in 125 career games with the RedHawks.
    MBA from Miami University (Ohio) along with a major in finance and minor in marketing.
    Played two seasons of professional hockey (2009-10 with Gwinnett Gladiators and Johnstown Chiefs of the East Coast Hockey League, 2010-11 with Bloomington PrairieThunder of the Central Hockey League).
    Began coaching career as graduate assistant at Miami University (Ohio) during 2011-12 season.
    Joined USHL as assistant coach of the Omaha Lancers last season.

The Lancers will hold their annual Tryout Camp beginning Friday, June 7 and concluding Sunday, June 9 at Ralston Arena.  Camp is open to the public and admission is free.  All sessions of the Lancers Tryout Camp will be held on the auxiliary ice rink at Ralston Arena.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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