It was a name whispered frequently through the Herd fan base the past few weeks. Today it was confirmed - Scott Owens is the new head coach and general manager of the Sioux Falls Stampede.
A 15-year coaching vet of D-I NCAA hockey, Owens led the Colorado College Tigers with a school-best 324-228-54 record, three WCHA championships, seven NCAA tournament appearances and a Frozen Four visit in 2005. He has 16 All-Americans and two Hobey Baker Award winners (the best player in all of college hockey) to his credit and has become very accustomed to the Stampede having coached former alum such as Marty Sertich, current Minnesota Wild defenseman Nate Prosser, Sam Rothstein, Nick Dineen, Gabe Guentzel, Matt Overman, Scott Thauwald and Cody Lampl.
Yes, Owens has a formidable history of college puck, but his coaching background goes much further. The Madison, WI native coached his hometown Capitols (USHL, but not the current Caps franchise) to a 136-85-16 record between four seasons in the 1980s. From there, he made a stop in Des Moines, leading the Buccs to Anderson and Clark Cups with a 179-76-9 record from 1995-99, amassing an astonishing 62-12-1 record in their '98-'99 Anderson and Clark clinching season.
As anyone can tell, this guy is a winner and he'll be expected to repeat his past USHL success with a team that has the pieces to establish a legitimate title defense next season. Having just won the organization's second Cup in franchise history, the expectations of ownership and fans alike are sky high at the moment. Will Owens be able to deliver? Fresh off the NCAA, fans can be sure he'll give it the good ol' college try.
Talk to you during tryouts.
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