August 21, 2006
Coaching Search Ends Where it Began
Coaching Search Ends Where it Began
On March 9th, 2006 the Iowa Hockey team announced that Head Coach Kevin Harter
would be returning to the team in a different and likely reduced role for the 2006-07
season. However, the role has not been reduced and there may not be many
differences as the IceHawks are proud to announce that Harter will once again be
behind the bench of the Hawks as their Head Coach.
In his previous two seasons as Head Coach, Harter accumulated an impressive
record of 30-16-3. He also led the Hawkeyes to their first-ever Mid-American
Collegiate Hockey Association Conference Championship in 2005 and to their
best-ever conference record last season (10-3-1).
Harter will be leading the Hawkeyes into unchartered territory in 2007 as the Hawks
were voted into the Gold Division of the MACHA at the annual league meeting last
March. As a result the Hawkeyes will face their toughest schedule ever as they
face-off against multiple nationally ranked conference opponents such as Missouri
State, Missouri, and Southern Illinois. Harter will also lead the Hawkeyes against
nationally ranked non-conference foes Iowa State D-1 (Nationally ranked No. 5 last
season), as well as Grand Valley State and Ferris State from the Great Midwestern
Hockey League, which is regarded as one of the best ACHA D-II conferences in the
nation.
The 2006-07 season looks to be a challenging one for Harter and the Hawks not only
because of a vastly more difficult schedule, but also because the Hawkeyes will have
one of their youngest teams in recent memory. The Hawkeyes lost 5 Seniors from
last years team and with those numbers included a total of 10 players from 2006 will
not be returning. This means that the Hawks will be very reliant on their incoming
Freshman class to help pick up the slack.
In addition to the loss of 5 Seniors and 5 returning players, Iowa starting goaltender
Tim Strauch will be sidelined for most of first semester as he tore his ACL over the
summer and underwent reconstructive surgery in June. His job will be placed in the
hands of incoming freshman goaltender Derek Lawson.
When asked about Harter's return and the impact it would have on the IceHawks,
President Mike Coleman stated, "I couldn't be happier to have (Harter) return as
Head Coach. He has been part of this organization for a long time and I am glad he is
here to work with the young team we have."
While the 2006-07 team may be lacking in years, neither Harter or Coleman feel that
the team is lacking in talent. Tryouts were completed on August 17th and both were
excited by the quality of players they were able to select for this season.
NOTES: Harter will once again be joined on the bench by Assistant Coach and Team
Trainer Simon Excoffon, who returns for his second season with the Hawks... He will
also be temporarily assisted by former player and team Vice-President Rees
O'Donnell who will take on the role of Manager.... The official 2006-07 season roster
will be posted later this week.
would be returning to the team in a different and likely reduced role for the 2006-07
season. However, the role has not been reduced and there may not be many
differences as the IceHawks are proud to announce that Harter will once again be
behind the bench of the Hawks as their Head Coach.
In his previous two seasons as Head Coach, Harter accumulated an impressive
record of 30-16-3. He also led the Hawkeyes to their first-ever Mid-American
Collegiate Hockey Association Conference Championship in 2005 and to their
best-ever conference record last season (10-3-1).
Harter will be leading the Hawkeyes into unchartered territory in 2007 as the Hawks
were voted into the Gold Division of the MACHA at the annual league meeting last
March. As a result the Hawkeyes will face their toughest schedule ever as they
face-off against multiple nationally ranked conference opponents such as Missouri
State, Missouri, and Southern Illinois. Harter will also lead the Hawkeyes against
nationally ranked non-conference foes Iowa State D-1 (Nationally ranked No. 5 last
season), as well as Grand Valley State and Ferris State from the Great Midwestern
Hockey League, which is regarded as one of the best ACHA D-II conferences in the
nation.
The 2006-07 season looks to be a challenging one for Harter and the Hawks not only
because of a vastly more difficult schedule, but also because the Hawkeyes will have
one of their youngest teams in recent memory. The Hawkeyes lost 5 Seniors from
last years team and with those numbers included a total of 10 players from 2006 will
not be returning. This means that the Hawks will be very reliant on their incoming
Freshman class to help pick up the slack.
In addition to the loss of 5 Seniors and 5 returning players, Iowa starting goaltender
Tim Strauch will be sidelined for most of first semester as he tore his ACL over the
summer and underwent reconstructive surgery in June. His job will be placed in the
hands of incoming freshman goaltender Derek Lawson.
When asked about Harter's return and the impact it would have on the IceHawks,
President Mike Coleman stated, "I couldn't be happier to have (Harter) return as
Head Coach. He has been part of this organization for a long time and I am glad he is
here to work with the young team we have."
While the 2006-07 team may be lacking in years, neither Harter or Coleman feel that
the team is lacking in talent. Tryouts were completed on August 17th and both were
excited by the quality of players they were able to select for this season.
NOTES: Harter will once again be joined on the bench by Assistant Coach and Team
Trainer Simon Excoffon, who returns for his second season with the Hawks... He will
also be temporarily assisted by former player and team Vice-President Rees
O'Donnell who will take on the role of Manager.... The official 2006-07 season roster
will be posted later this week.
