June 27, 2008

FAIRBANKS, AK - Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey coach Dallas Ferguson announced Friday that Lance West and Brian Meisner will complete his coaching staff as the program's two assistant coaches in preparation for the 2008-09 season.

Combined, the duo brings a wealth of hockey coaching and playing experience accrued over more than 30 seasons to Fairbanks. The pair has been involved at the collegiate level for 20 of those seasons (17 at Division I and three at Division III), junior hockey in the United States premiere leagues for 10 and high school hockey in Minnesota for one year.

"My dad always told me if you want to be successful, surround yourself with good people," said Ferguson. "Today I have done that."

"Both of these guys have great character and passion for the game of hockey and they are going to be great assets to our program, university and community. I very excited to have Lance and Brian join my staff."

West steps into the role previously held by Ferguson, who was named the Nanooks' eighth head coach on May 15, after spending the previous four seasons as an assistant for his alma mater.

The Penticton, British Columbia native brings twelve years of NCAA Division I hockey related experience to his new role with the Blue and Gold.

Last season, he served as a volunteer assistant coach and the team's video coordinator, while working full-time at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Student Recreation Center as the SRC Facility Manager.

"When Lance joined our program last year I did not know a whole lot about him," said Ferguson. "After working with him for the past year I have really seen a coach that loves working with the athletes. He was highly regarded by the players and it was easy to see why: Coach Lance was always there for them when they need to work on something or to talk."

Prior to making the move to Fairbanks, West served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Alabama-Huntsville, for seven consecutive seasons (2000-07). As an assistant coach for the Chargers, West shared responsibility for developing and documenting team procedures, recruiting, practices, scheduling non-conference games, fund raising, travel, and video. While at UAH, West was also health and physical education instructor (2002-07).

He helped mentor the Chargers squads that won two College Hockey America regular season championships, made four conference tournament appearances and one NCAA tournament appearance during his final season (2006-07).

"Lance brings a tremendous amount of experience to the program," Ferguson said. "While in Alabama he was very involved in all facets of the program and in his last season he help guide the Chargers to the NCAA tournament. I am very fortunate to have Lance as a member of my staff."

It marked his second stint with the UAH coaching staff as he had previously served as a volunteer assistant for the Chargers from 1995-1998, when the Chargers captured two Division II National Championships (1996 & 1998).

Prior to his coaching days, West was a four-year letter winner for the Chargers from 1991-95. The offensive-minded center amassed 43 goals and 65 assists for 108 points in 106 games (1.02 ppg) in his collegiate playing career and currently sits 20th on UAH's All-Time Scoring Leaders list. As a senior, he was voted team captain and received the UAH hockey team's Coaches Award.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biology, minor in chemistry and Class B Teaching Certification from UAH.

Meisner, who takes on the role filled by former assistant coach John Rose, joins Ferguson and Lance West on the Nanooks coaching staff for the 2008-09 season.

"I wanted to bring a coach to our program that had a different coaching background then Lance and I," said Ferguson. "Brian has coached at the high school level, in the North American Junior Hockey League, United States Hockey League, and at the collegiate (Division I and III) level. I hit a home run by hiring Brian: he was exactly what I was looking for."

The Cloquet, Minnesota native served as an assistant coach for the University of Connecticut of the Atlantic Hockey Association last year, following a 10-year campaign in junior hockey. He was the head coach and general manager of the Wichita Falls Wildcats (Texas) of the North American Hockey League, where he coached incoming Nanook recruit Adam Cardwell. Beginning in 2004, he was a major contributor to the revitalization of the team after it had folded under previous ownership. During his tenure with Wichita Falls, he recorded a 148-114-26 record while developing more than 20 players who advanced to Division I hockey programs and placing twice as many at the Division III level.

Meisner also spent two seasons as the head coach/general manager of the Wichita Falls Rustlers (2002-04) and one season leading the Butte Irish (2001-02). With the Rustlers, Meisner led the team to a Junior A expansion record 43 wins in the first season after improving the Irish's record by 18 wins (21-28-7). For his effort with both teams, he was awarded the American West Hockey League Coach of the Year distinction for two consecutive seasons.

He began his junior hockey coaching career in the United States Hockey League as an assistant coach and general manager of the Waterloo Black Hawks, where he recruited and coached over 50 Division I collegiate players including Andrew Alberts of the National Hockey League's Boston Bruins.

Prior to his successful stint in the junior hockey system, Meisner spent a season refining his coaching skills at Duluth Central High School in Duluth, Minn.

Meisner, who was also a center in his playing days, graduated in 1993 from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minn. with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and remained with the Saints until 1996 as an assistant coach under Bill Watson, a Hobey Baker Award winner. At his alma mater, he was responsible for recruiting and scouting while also holding a full time position within the college.

He also has related experiences with the USA Hockey Select Festivals, coaching in the Central District from 1998-99 and has represented the Rocky Mountain District since 2005. Meisner was involved with the USA hockey Top Prospects Tournament coaching the 1999 "At Large" team and the AWHL team in 2002 and spent three years coaching at the National 15 Select Camp (2004-07).

"When researching Brian there were consistent descriptions of him, regardless of who I spoke with," said Ferguson. "He is a very loyal person and a great teacher of the game of hockey."

The Nanooks will open the 2008-09 season on September 26 at 6 p.m. at the UAF Ice Arena for the annual Blue and Gold exhibition game.