Keith Paulsen joined the Maverick men's hockey staff in May of 2023. He will be in his third season at Minnesota State in 2025-26.
Paulsen helped the Mavericks finish the 2023-24 season 18-15-4 for fourth place in the CCHA standings. The team went on to make a run in the Mason Cup Playoffs to the CCHA Semifinals.
In 2024-25, Minnesota State finished 27-9-3 overall (18-5-3 CCHA) to win the MacNaughton Cup. The Mavericks went 17-4-3 at home and defeated University of St. Thomas 4-2 in the CCHA Mason Cup Championship. The Mavericks qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the tenth time in program history and fell 2-1 in double overtime to top-seeded Western Michigan. Junior goaltender Alex Tracy was a Top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, a finalist for the Mike Richter Award and CCHA Player of the Year. The Mavericks had three players named First Team All-CCHA.
Paulsen comes to Minnesota State after serving as the video coach for the AHL’s Iowa Wild since 2016.
“Keith is a real workhorse,” said Strand. “His multifaceted background will bring so many qualities for our players and staff. His recent stay in the American Hockey League teaching both on and off the ice will drive player development to another level.”
“Our staff is dynamic, not only in their prior experiences in hockey, but also in their abilities to teach both on a personal and player developmental level,” added Strand. “As our staff continues to take shape over the next several months, we are excited for the future of Maverick Hockey.”
During his time with the Wild, Paulsen coordinated live in-game and post-game video analysis and breakdown. He also prepared scout video for opponent tendencies, video for team meetings and assisted with daily practice planning and implementation.
Paulsen was responsible for individual player video analysis as well as managing player meetings. In the 2020-21 season he assisted with planning and implementing the power play and penalty kill. Paulsen also assisted with on-ice individual skill development. The Wild won 226 games during Paulsen’s time with the organization.
“I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to join Luke Strand’s staff,” said Paulsen. “I understand the rich traditions of Maverick Hockey and look forward to working with these young men in our program. My family and I are excited to relocate to the Mankato area.”
Prior to his time with the Wild, Paulsen served as the assistant general manager and associate head coach with the Madison Capitols of the United States Hockey League from December 2013-May 2016.
On the ice, Paulsen was responsible for the penalty kill unit and in-game he oversaw the blue line. Off the ice, he directed and had oversight of all facets of scouting and assisted with daily practice planning and implementation, on-ice skill development, as well as coordinating video analysis and game plan preparation and opponent scouting.
In 2014, Paulsen was selected as an assistant coach with team USA World Junior A Challenge in Kindersley, Saskatchewan were the Americans defeated Denmark 3-2 in the gold medal game. Much like he his time in Madison, Paulsen was in charge of the penalty kill for that team. Additionally, he assisted in the scouting of players and selection of the team roster.
Paulsen was also on staff with the Sioux City Musketeers from July 2010-December 2013 and worked with Strand for a season during that stint. During Paulsen’s time in Sioux City, he was responsible for the penalty kill unit and was also in charge of the power play in 2013. His other responsibilities included directing the defensive corps for one season and the attacking line for two campaigns.
Paulsen also served as the head coach at Rice Lake High School in Rice Lake, Wisconsin from 2003-10.
Collegiately, Paulsen competed at UW-Eau Claire from 1996-2000 and was a four-year letter winner, where he played with Strand for one year.
