MANKATO, Minn  - Associate head coach Jeff Giesen will step in as Minnesota State's acting head coach while head coach Shari Dickerman joins Team USA for the 2026 Milan Winter Olympic Games with the U.S. Women's National Hockey Team.  

"We are thrilled to have Coach Dickerman representing MSU women's hockey and Maverick Athletics with Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games," said Director of Athletics Kevin Buisman. "At the same time, we are confident that the program will continue to function at a very high level behind the very capable leadership of Acting Head Coach, Jeff Giesen.  He will lead us down the stretch and we look forward to Shari rejoining the program for the playoffs with a gold medal in hand."  

Giesen joined the Mavericks staff in 2015 and has been a key cog in the program's success during his time.  Minnesota State, which is 11-13-2 this season, has recorded ten or more wins in the last five seasons and six of the last seven.  This year, the Mavericks picked up a home-and-home sweep over then second-ranked Minnesota. 

Giesen will be joined on the bench by assistant coaches Emily Antony and Mackenzie Bruch.   

"I know that our team will be in good hands while I am away with Team USA," said Dickerman who has been on the bench for Team USA the last three years during the Rivalry Series and the IIHF World Championships. "I am grateful for the support from our staff, administration and players as I fulfill this lifelong dream."  

Dickerman will return with the team after the conclusion of the Olympic games.  

"Our entire program is so excited and happy that Shari gets the opportunity to represent Team USA at the Olympic Games," Giesen said. "We will keep focused on our team and preparing for the WCHA schedule we have while she is away and look forward to having her back for the playoffs."  

Minnesota State returns to action this weekend with a road series against Bemidji State. Friday's matchup will take place at the Sanford Center before the Mavericks and Beavers meet again on Saturday in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum Women's Faceoff Classic, held at the Yanmar Arena in Grand Rapids, Minn.  

Puck drop for Friday's game is set for 6 p.m., while Saturday's contest will begin at 4 p.m. Both games will be streamed on B1G+.