SCSU Coach Named To Olympic Team

(KNSI) – St. Cloud State University Mens Hockey Brett Larson is headed to the Olympics. Larson got the news on Thursday.

“Obviously, it’s just a huge honor and extremely proud to be able to go over and represent our country in China. And, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’d be lying if I didn’t say it was a dream come true.”

It’s the first time Larson has been named to the Olympic team. The Olympics are in Bejing and start on February 4th.

Larson also has coached USA Hockey junior teams, serving as head coach of the squad that won the 2012 World Junior A Challenge. He was an assistant coach for the University of Minnesota Duluth during their national championships in 2011 and 2018. Larson was also with Ohio State and helped that team get to a Frozen Four. He’s in his fourth year as SCSU’s head coach and has led the team to two NCAA tournament appearances, including a second-place finish in last year’s Frozen Four.

Minnesota State Mankato Coach Mike Hastings will also be an assistant coach on the team. Hasting is a St. Cloud State graduate and has a long record of success in college and junior hockey and has coached USA Hockey junior teams on six occasions, including a stint as head coach of the 2019 team that won the silver medal at the world junior championships. Hastings is in his 10th season as the Mavericks’ head coach. He guided the team to the NCAA men’s Frozen Four last season in its sixth NCAA tournament appearance.

There are no National Hockey League players competing this year. The U.S. team will be made up of players from European leagues, the American Hockey League and colleges. The roster is expected to be announced in the coming days.

___