Luke Strand – Photo Courtesy of Madison Capitols.
After one season as head coach and general manager of the USHL’s Madison Capitols, Luke Strand was hired today as the associated head coach under Mike Eaves at the University of Wisconsin.
When asked about his decision to join the Badgers staff, Strand explained, “the opportunity to be at the University of Wisconsin for me is a bucket-list opportunity that in being from the state is impossible to pass up.”
Stand played at UW-Eau Claire, coached at UW-Eau Claire and got his coaching start at St. Norbert College with Tim Coghlin.
Stand was born in the Philippines, but grew up in Wisconsin, and spent much of his time in the state since skating for UW-Eau Claire in the mid-1990’s.
Strand also went on to become an assistant coach and assistant general manager with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers from 2003-05. From there, he headed west to take over at his alma mater, UW-Eau Claire.
The AHL’s Houston Aeros came calling next, where he coached a total of two seasons. He then moved on to become the head coach and general manager of the Sioux City Muskateers for two seasons.
“I think one of the things Luke will provide for me on a personal level is that he will push the boundaries,” Eaves added. “When you have that kind of mind within your staff, you are going to look hard at different things and you are going to hammer out the plan and then you are going to execute the plan. That will be very much a positive.