Minnesota State University - Mankato Athletics

Eric Means began his head coaching career with the Minnesota State women's hockey program prior to the start of the 2009-10 campaign.

Means, who has brought intensity, work ethic and a wealth of hockey knowledge to the Mavericks, served 14 seasons as an assistant for the MSU men's program prior to being put in charge of the women's program in the spring of 2009,
 
While with the men’s programs, Means worked with MSU defensemen and in addition to on-ice coaching and administrative responsibilities, has also monitored student-athlete academic progress and served as MSU’s recruiting coordinator.

During his time with Minnesota State, the Mavericks placed 97 student athletes on the WCHA All-Academic Squad, had 10 All-WCHA players and a pair of Mavericks named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team as well as honored as WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year.

Several Mavericks have gone on and played hockey after their career at Minnesota State, including seven Mavericks who reached the NHL level (Tim Jackman (Calgary), Grant Stevenson (San Jose), David Backes (captain of St. Louis Blues), Ryan Carter (New Jersey), Steve Wagner (St. Louis), Jon Kalinski (Philadelphia) and Travis Morin (Dallas)).

Means was the lead coach of the Minnesota Advanced 15 Girls Festival (camp for top 100 fifteen-year old girls in the state of Minnesota) on several occasions, with the camp taking place on the campus of MSU.

A defenseman at the University of Minnesota (‘94 grad) during his collegiate playing career, Means was a member teams that claimed one league regular season and two play-off titles, and advanced to the NCAA post-season tournament from 1989-94. He redshirted during the 1990-91 season, but was selected to play for Team USA at the World University Games. He accumulated eight goals and 40 points in 123 games with the Gophers and as a senior received the Doc Romnes Leadership and Sportsman Award. 

The Rochester, Minn., native earned a master’s degree from MSU in 1997 and has served as a coach at several USA Hockey select camps.

Means and his wife, Leah, have a daughter (Riley) and son (Logan) and reside in Mankato.

Means Record as Women's Hockey Coach:

2009-10	Eric Means	34	7	22	5	0.279
2010-11	Eric Means	36	8	25	3	0.264
2011-12	Eric Means	36	7	28	1	0.208
2012-13	Eric Means	36	10	21	5	0.347
2013-14	Eric Means	37	13	23	1	0.365
Total	Eric Means	179	45	119	15	0.293