Scott Steffen, owner of Steffen Elite Hockey Training Camps and a 1997 alumnus of Hamline University, has been named the Pipers’ head men’s hockey coach, Director of Athletics Bob Beeman announced on Friday.

Steffen has established himself as one of the premier hockey skating and strength coaches in the country over the past 13 years while training some of the best hockey talent in the state. As owner and head skating instructor of Steffen Elite Hockey Training Camps, he runs one of Minnesota’s largest hockey training camps. Steffen has also trained several hundred professional and collegiate players through Scott Steffen Hockey Training and the Minnesota Super League professional summer hockey league. Additionally, he has been a skating, strength, and conditioning coach for several NHL players, including members of the Minnesota Wild.

Since 2001, Steffen has been the head strength and conditioning coach for the prolific Hill-Murray High School boys’ hockey program under his mentor, head coach Bill Lechner. The Pioneers made seven MSHSL state tournament appearances – winning the championship in 2008 – while producing 17 NCAA Division I players and six NHL draft picks during that 11-year period. Returning Hamline All-American senior forward, and captain, Brian Arrigoni is also a product of Steffen and Lechner’s Hill-Murray teams.

Steffen has also been the head coach of the Minnesota Blades Midget AAA hockey team since 2008. His team sent seven players to the U.S. National Select 16 team this season alone, as well as having nine players drafted into the USHL and winning 11 major tournament championships.

“Scott Steffen brings back an incredible depth in experience and technical knowledge to his alma mater. His influence in the Minnesota hockey community extends to all levels,” Beeman said. “His connection with, understanding of, and passion for Piper hockey further endorses the Hamline athletic department vision of building nationally-acclaimed programs through excellence on and off the fields (or ice) of competition.”

He was a two-year captain and was thrice named to All-MIAC lists as a forward when he played hockey for Hamline from 1993 to 1997.

“I am thrilled to come back and be a part of the Hamline community, especially the hockey program. I appreciate Bob Beeman offering me this opportunity to return to the Pipers in this capacity and look forward to working with him and the athletic department staff,” Steffen said. “A Hamline hockey player is an elite student-athlete and I want to share with our current players how important and impressive it is to hold a degree from Hamline. Some of my best, and most successful, friends are former Piper hockey players and Hamline alumni.”

In discussing the roster that he inherits, Steffen added, “We have a special group of young players who have been extremely supportive as I go through this process of joining their team. I am excited to hit the ice with them as we continue Hamline’s pursuit of a national championship.”

Steffen will be coaching the reigning MIAC champions on familiar ice, as the men’s hockey team is moving to the Vadnais Heights Sports Center for the 2011-12 campaign. The complex is also the home of Scott Steffen Hockey Training.

Steffen earned his bachelor’s degree in international business from Hamline in 1997. His six-year old twin sons, Luke and Landon, are as active in youth hockey as their father. Steffen takes over his role at the helm of the Pipers immediately.

Hamline University belongs to the NCAA Division III Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, one of the most competitive conferences in the nation. Hamline supports 19 intercollegiate athletic teams for men and women. Find out more about Hamline athletics.