Jasen Wise named Men’s Hockey head coach

MEQUON, Wis. - Concordia University Wisconsin Director of Athletics Dr. Rob Barnhill announced Tuesday afternoon the hiring of Jasen Wise as the new Men's Hockey head coach.

"I am very delighted to be the new men's hockey head coach at CUW," Wise said. "The University and Athletic Department's vision is the same as mine, and that is to win conference championships and play in the NCAA Tournament."

Wise, a 13-year coaching veteran, takes over the program after eight seasons as the head coach at Marian University. Under his guidance, MU reached unprecedented heights advancing to the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament eight-consecutive seasons, earning the program's first 20-win season and having the school's first All-American. His program was included in the USCHO national poll several times.

"I am excited to announce the addition of Jasen Wise to our coaching staff," Barnhill said. "I have admired Jasen and the job that he and his staff have done for some time, and was pleased to find that he had interest in taking over our program. Jasen is a proven winner and an excellent recruiter. His experience as a head coach, coupled with his knowledge of the MCHA, will prove invaluable as we look to build our program."

During his time at MU, Wise directed the Sabres to seven straight winning seasons, including a school-record 20-7-0 season in 2009-10 which included a 15-game winning streak. Wise has coached 21 All-MCHA players, 14 MCHA All-Rookie Team honorees, four MCHA All-Tournament choices and five MU Male Student-Athlete-of-the-Year selections.

In addition, he has coached 44 MCHA All-Academic student-athletes who have achieved a grade point average of 3.30 or higher.

"I am pleased that both President Ferry and Dr. Barnhill are committed to producing a winning men's hockey program," Wise said. "The University and Athletic Department have given me the tools to be successful in the recruitment of top level junior hockey players.

This past season, 2011-12, he directed his program to a pair of wins over nationally ranked MSOE and a tie against NCAA Division III defending national champion St. Norbert College. Wise's team was ranked among the national leaders in several statistical categories, including 14th in power play (23.5 percent), 20th in penalty kill (84.6 percent), 21st in scoring offense (3.58) and 36th in scoring defense (3.08).

"Jasen shares my vision for the direction of the men's hockey program and I am convinced that he will accomplish our competitive and program goals," Barnhill said. "We had to make a strategic decision to address the concerns in our program and today we begin the rebuilding process."

In 2010-11 Wise coached Dakota Dubetz who became MU's first USCHO All-American after leading the nation in assists (34). Wise also saw 14 of his student-athletes be named MCHA All-Academic, the second-most among conferences institutions.

Wise has compiled a 119-88-14 overall record during his time at MU, including a 101-46-9 (.676) MCHA record. His teams have won three-consecutive MCHA Northern Division titles.

Prior to arriving at MU he spent five seasons as the men's assistant coach at Hamline University. While at HU he was involved in all aspects of the hockey program, including recruiting and practice.

Wise is no stranger to the NCAA Division III hockey landscape, as he was the team captain as a player at the University of St. Thomas (Minn.), helping his squad to a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title during his junior year. He began his collegiate playing career at Rochester Institute of Technology, where he was an assistant captain on a squad that made an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Wise earned his Bachelor's Degree and also earned his Master's Degree, in athletic administration, from UST, as well, in June 2005.

His hockey background dates back to his youth days where he spent his high school playing career at West Anchorage (Alaska) and International Falls (Minn.) High School, which included playoff and state tournament appearances. From there he spent two seasons in the United State Hockey League, playing for the Dubuque Fighting Saints and the Rochester Mustangs, making a National Tournament appearance in 1990-1991.

Wise and his wife Rachel have a son, Ethan.