MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State head coach Luke Strand has been named a 2026 finalist for the Spencer Penrose National Coach of the Year by the American Hockey Coaches Association.

This marks the second consecutive season that Strand has been finalist for the award.

Strand – who was named the CCHA Coach of the Year – for the second straight season last week – guided the Mavericks to a 22-11-7 record this past season as Minnesota State claimed the MacNaughton and Mason Cups for the second year in a row.

This past season, Minnesota State junior defenseman Evan Murr was a First-Team All-CCHA selection as well as the CCHA Defensive Player of the Year.  Senior forward Tristan Lemyre was a Second-Team All-CCHA pick along with senior goaltender Alex Tracy. During Coach Strand's tenure at Minnesota State, four players have earned a total of seven Conference Player of the Year awards including:  Alex Tracy (Player of the Year and Goaltender of the Year – 2025), Rhett Pitlick (Offensive Player of the Year – 2025), Evan Murr (Defensive Player of the Year – 2025, 2026), Sam Morton (Player of the Year and Forward of the Year– 2024).

The award will be presented on April 7 at the ACHA Conference.

During Strand's time at Minnesota State the Mavericks have skated to a 68-31-14 record and have made a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances.

David Carle (Denver), Reid Cashman (Dartmouth), Dane Jackson (North Dakota), Andy Jones (Bentley), Erik Largen (Alaska), Nate Leaman (Providence), Brandon Naurato (Michigan), Adam Nightingale (Michigan State) and Mike Hastings (Wisconsin) round out the list of finalists.