OSIECKI TO COACH U.S. MEN'S SELECT TEAM

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Mark Osiecki (Burnsville, Minn.), associate coach of the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs, will serve as head coach of the 2015 U.S. Men’s Select Team that will compete at the 2015 Deutschland Cup from Nov. 6-8 in Augsburg, Germany, USA Hockey announced today.

Osiecki replaces John Tortorella (Boston, Mass.), who was recently named head coach of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets.

Currently in his third season with the IceHogs, Osiecki has served behind the bench for multiple U.S. national and select teams. Most recently, he led the U.S. National Junior Team at the 2015 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship. He also was a three-time assistant coach for the team, helping lead the U.S. to gold medals in 2010 and 2013 and a bronze medal in 2011.

In 2000, he was head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Select Team that placed second at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, and was an assistant coach for the team that finished second at the tournament in 1999. He also led the U.S. Junior Select Team to a first-place finish at the 1999 Freedom Challenge. Additionally, Osiecki served as video coordinator for the 2006 U.S. Men's National Team at the IIHF Men's World Championship.

Osiecki spent 2010-13 as head coach of the Ohio State University men’s ice hockey team. Prior to his time with the Badgers, he served as an assistant coach for the University of Wisconsin men’s ice hockey team from 2004-10, helping the team to the 2006 NCAA national title and 2010 NCAA national championship game.

From 1997-2004, he was general manager and head coach of the United States Hockey League’s Green Bay Gamblers, where he led the team to four straight division titles (1999-2002) and the Clark Cup in 2000. He was USHL Coach of the Year in 1999.

The former University of Wisconsin defenseman (1987-90) served as an alternate captain for the 1990 NCAA national championship team. He played two seasons in the NHL (1991-93) with the Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota North Stars. He also competed for the U.S. at the 1992 IIHF Men’s World Championship in Prague, Czech Republic.

Next Home Game: Friday, Oct. 30 vs. Iowa Wild at 7 p.m. The IceHogs welcome the Wild to the BMO Harris Bank Center for the second time in two weeks. Halloween is taking over the arena! Fans are encouraged to wear their costumes to the game. The team will host a Trick-or-Treat event, where players will give out candy to fans. The first 500 kids (14 and under) receive a trick-or-treat bag and toothbrush compliments of Dr. Zak's Tooth Fairy Castle.