During his more than 30 years in hockey, Dean Blais has put together his share of talented coaching staffs.

But never before, Blais said, has he been surrounded by a pair of assistants with such an impressive combination of talent and experience.

It was big news last year when Blais brought in Mike Hastings to be UNO's associate head coach. Now, by adding assistant Mike Guentzel to the Mavs' bench this summer, Blais appears to have assembled the college hockey equivalent of a rock ‘n' roll supergroup.

“It's almost like we have three head coaches,” said Blais, who's gearing up for his second season leading the University of Nebraska at Omaha hockey program. “I think that will really help us. If I have to be gone recruiting, it's not going to bother me at all to miss practice. Because I'll know either one of them (Hastings or Guentzel) can run practice as good, if not better, than I can.”

When you add up the career numbers and accomplishments on the résumés of Blais, Hastings and Guentzel, the results are eye-popping.

Together, they boast 60 years of experience coaching at the NCAA, USHL and international levels. They've spent a combined 32 seasons employed as a head coach, compiling 1,015 victories.

Between the three, they've had a hand in six NCAA titles and five USHL Clark Cup championships. Blais was USHL coach of the year once and a two-time winner of the NCAA national coach of the year award. Hastings and Guentzel, both former head coaches with the Omaha Lancers, each was named USHL coach of the year twice.

And consider this nugget: Hastings never experienced a losing season as a head coach, while Blais and Guentzel only endured one apiece.

“We definitely have a powerhouse staff,” said Nick Fohr, UNO's director of hockey operations. “Dean, Mike and Mike — they're all very highly respected as coaches, and that's so important in a lot of different aspects. We've really seen that here in the recruiting we've been able to do already, and it will continue to get even better.”

Guentzel's arrival at UNO only adds to the buzz surrounding the program as the Mavs prepare for their first season in the WCHA. Blais' players begin attending fall classes on Monday, and they'll soon start staging their unsupervised captains' practices. UNO's coaches can start working with the team on Sept. 15 in preparation for the Mavs' Oct. 2 home exhibition against the University of British Columbia.

So will there be any potential conflicts in bringing together three established coaches, each having spent plenty of time being his own boss?

Not a chance, Hastings said.

“Here's the deal — there's one head coach, and Mike and I definitely both know that,” said Hastings, an assistant under Guentzel in Omaha before he took over the Lancers' top position in the 1990s. “It's our job to make Dean's job better, it's as simple as that.

“I've known Mike Guentzel for a long time, so it's not like we're going to need any introductions. It's an exciting time, and I don't think there will be any apprehension for anybody about doing what they're supposed to do.”

After finishing 20-16-6 during Blais' first season, UNO brings back six players who had 20 or more points in 2009-10. They are Rich Purslow, Joey Martin, Alex Hudson, Terry Broadhurst, Matt Ambroz and Eric Olimb. The Mavs will add 11 freshmen this fall, including touted rookies Matt White, Ryan Walters, Brock Montpetit and Bryce Aneloski.

With a roster heavy in underclassmen, Blais knows it's possible that the Mavs could be in for an up-and-down ride as they adjust to a league as tough as the WCHA. But the coach has no doubt that he's structured his UNO support staff in a way that can lead to big success.

Blais, Hastings and Guentzel will share the duties of recruiting and working with the team during practice. One of Hastings' roles last season was working with the Mavs' defensemen, but Blais said he's still figuring out how he'll divide the on-ice responsibilities among the coaches.

Fohr, an assistant with the Mavs the past three seasons, moves back into the director of hockey operations position he held at UNO from 2004 through 2007. But Fohr also will handle several key new duties that weren't part of the job in the past. In addition to breaking down game video, Fohr now will arrange team travel, handle community-service efforts and keep track of the Mavs' academic progress.

“It's been busy, but it has been a good change,” Fohr said. “It really is a different job now than when I did it before.”

UNO equipment manager Mark Pane previously handled the club's travel arrangements. But Blais said it was important to shift those responsibilities to Fohr in order to lighten Pane's workload.

“I really like the way our staff is set up now, and we feel like we have all the pieces in place,” Blais said. “It was great being able to add a guy like Mike Guentzel. He has tremendous experience in the game, and we were lucky to get him.”

Contact the writer:

444-1207, chad.purcell@owh.com

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