After leading the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) men’s hockey team to the NCAA Division III Frozen Four this season as an interim head coach, Stevens Point native Tyler Krueger was named the Pointers’ permanent head coach Thursday, May 31, following an extensive national search.

Tyler Krueger (back row, center) spent three seasons on the coaching staff as an assistant for the Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) men’’s hockey team, before he took over as the interim head coach last season.
(John Kemmeter photo)

“I am excited to announce that Tyler (Krueger) will continue as our head men’s hockey coach,” said UWSP director of athletics Brad Duckworth.  “His familiarity with the program and his success as our interim last year made this a logical choice.

“The culture and recent success of our men’s hockey program were built with Tyler as a member of the team, and I am confident he will continue to succeed behind the bench,” he said.

Krueger served as interim head coach for the 2017-18 season after former head coach Chris Brooks left to become an assistant coach at NCAA Division 1 Michigan Tech last summer.

Krueger led the Pointers to the Frozen Four in March in his first season at the helm.  UWSP won the regular season Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Title with an undefeated 6-0-2 record.  He led the Pointers to an NCAA Tournament road win at Adrian in the second round to advance to Lake Placid.

Under Krueger’s tutelage, junior Tanner Karty earned WIAC Player of the Year honors and finished as the national leader in game-winning goals.  Karty and goaltender Max Milosek earned ACHA/CCM All-American honors in 2018 under Krueger.

“I am thrilled to become the permanent head coach of one of the premier men’s hockey programs in the country,”  said Krueger.  “I would like to thank Brad Duckworth and the entire search and screen committee for this opportunity.  We are excited for the upcoming challenge to continue to sustain a championship culture here at UW-Stevens Point for years to come.”

Tyler Krueger was the captain for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’’s 2014 NCAA Division III National Runner-up team.
(Jack McLaughlin photo)

Prior to becoming interim head coach, Krueger spent three seasons as an assistant coach for the Pointers.  While behind the bench, he helped UWSP win its fifth National Championship in 2016.

Before moving behind the bench, Krueger was a four-year member of the UWSP men’s hockey team.  He skated in 79 career games with a pair of goals, 15 assists and a plus/minus of +34.  Krueger was the Pointers captain on the 2014 team that reached the NCAA title game.

Krueger graduated from UWSP in 2014 with a bachelor of science degree in health promotion and wellness.  A Stevens Point native, Krueger and his wife, Hannah, currently reside in Plover.