EVELETH, Minn. – The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame announced that former Omaha hockey head coach Dean Blais is one of four members of the 2020 induction class.
"Dean had such an impact elevating our program nationally," said
Trev Alberts, Vice Chancellor of Athletics. "He led our team to its first trip to the Frozen Four, he was behind the bench when we opened a brand new arena as the No. 1 team in the country, and he helped us hang an NCAA banner in our rafters.
"His career accomplishments are clearly worthy of a place in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, and we couldn't be happier for him."
Blais coached the Mavericks from 2009-17, becoming just the second head coach in school history. In eight seasons, he compiled a record of 146-133-30 including three 20-win season and six seasons at .500 or better. He led the Mavericks to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2011 and 2015. In the latter, Omaha won the Midwest Regional, advancing to the 2015 NCAA Frozen Four in Boston, Mass. where it lost to eventual national champion Providence.
The native of International Falls, Minn. coached four AHCA All-Americans (Ryan Walters, Josh Archibald, Luc Snuggerud and Austin Ortega) while with the Mavericks. He also groomed future NHL players Archibald, Jake Guentzel and Andrej Sustr.
Blais helped the Mavericks transition to two different conferences during his time behind the UNO bench. The Mavericks joined the WCHA from the CCHA in 2010-11 and then moved to the new NCHC in 2013-14. He also contributed to the planning for the construction of Baxter Arena that opened for the 2015-16 season. It is the Mavericks' first on-campus home in program history.
In all, Blais spent 18 seasons as a college hockey head coach and another seven as an assistant. He led North Dakota to national championships in 1997 and 2000 in 10 years as the head coach and was a part of two more as an assistant. When he retired from coaching following the 2016-17 season, he had amassed a career record of 408-248-63.
Blais was named the WCHA Coach of the Year four times including 2011 as coach of the Mavericks and also earned two Spencer Penrose Awards as the Division I coach of the year. He guided his teams to nine NCAA Tournament appearances
Blais also had success internationally as the head coach of Team USA in the IIHF World Junior Championship, including a gold medal in 2010.
