This week I learned of a rumor about who may join the Huskies to replace assistant coach Eric Rud. Let me preface this blog by saying this is still ONLY a rumor. I recently received an e-mail from a blogger who writes a prominent USHL blog. This blogger let me know about an e-mail he received that suggested that Steve Johnson may be applying for the open SCSU assistant coach position. So, again, I say this is ONLY a rumor:
Steve Johnson may be applying for the SCSU open assistant coach position. Johnson currently serves as the head coach/ general manager of the USHL's Fargo Force. Steve Johnson began his coaching career as head coach of the Fargo-Moorhead Bears for the 1995-1996 season. That year he was recognized as the USHL coach of the year. The Bears then disbanded and was hired as the head coach/ general manager of the USHL Lincoln Stars. Johnson went on to a very successful career with the Stars. In his first year (1996-1997 season) he lead the Stars to a Clark Cup Championship. He also took the Stars to a Clark Cup Championship in 2002-2003 and to Anderson Cup Championships in 1999-2000, 2000-2001, and 2002-2003. Coach Johnson was recognized as USHL coach of the year three times (1995-1996, 1999-2000, and 2000-2001). He began his position as head coach/ general manager of the Fargo Force in June 2009.
Steve Johnson played college hockey for the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux (1984-1988). He helped the Sioux win the National Championship in 1987. Johnson was a Hobey Baker Finalist in his senior season (1987-1988). He went on to spend three seasons with the Vancouver Canucks (in the minor league system).
From what I have read about him, Steve Johnson sounds like an excellent candidate for the assistant coach position. However, all of this is still speculation. The kind person who let me know about this rumor also told me that Johnson is happy in Fargo (he is a Grand Forks native) and that he may not be willing to forgo a head coaching position for an assistant position. I will let you know as more progresses!
*P.S. Would hiring a former UND player intensify the current UND/ SCSU rivalry?
We love rumors, and with the internet it's not hard to find substantial rumors. It would be interesting that Rud leaves the program to further his career as a head coach in the ushl and Johnson leaves a ushl head position to become an assistant at scsu. You have to wonder why he isn't an assistant at und.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but some coaches bounce between college and the USHL though. Look at Coach Motzko assistant coach of SCSU (college), then head coach of North Iowa Huskies (USHL), then associate head coach at Miami University (college), then associate head coach at the University of Denver (college), then back to Miami University (college), then head coach of the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL), then assistant coach at the University of Minnesota (college), until finally he landed at SCSU as head coach (college). If Johnson ever wants a crack at a Division 1 head coach position he will probably need to spend some time as an assistant coach with some college. It will be interesting to see how this all pans out.
ReplyDeleteSteve Johnson would be a solid choice for any program. However, I freel compelled to correct you on one point in your post: He was in the Vancouver Canucks minor league system, not with the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL. He in fact, never played a game in the NHL.
ReplyDelete@ John Meissner- Thank you for the correction!
ReplyDeleteSteve Johnson is not a Fargo native, he was born in Grand Forks and played his high school and college hockey there. Sorry to nitpick but we in GF hate Fargo about as much as we hate the Gophers.
ReplyDelete-Random Fan
@ Anonymous- Sorry- that one is my bad. The previous error (about his NHL experience) was one I got from his profile page on the Fargo Force website. However, the Fargo Force website correctly says he is a Grand Forks native, I just accidentally wrote Fargo.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/290267/group/Sports/
ReplyDeleteSo he was the 'player to be named later'?