Here’s some exciting news.  It was announced yesterday that Dean Blais, Fargo Force Head Coach, has been chosen as head coach for the 2010 U.S. National Junior Team.  The team will compete in the 2010 International Ice Hockey Foundation World Junior Championship on December 26, 2009, through January 5, 2010, in Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan.

This will be Blais’ fourth appearance with the U.S. National Junior Team.  Blais stated, “I am honored and excited to be the head coach of this team.”  He said it would be a different experience this time around as 15 years ago the U.S. Team was finishing 7^th and 8^th in the world, but now they consistently compete for a medal.

Prior to the USHL, Blais was the head coach for the University of North Dakota men’s hockey team for 10 seasons (1994-2004).  He was named the National Coach of the Year twice and led the Fighting Sioux to the NCAA Championship in 1997 and 2000.

Dean Blais is a native of International Falls, Minnesota, and is no stranger to international competition, having served as both a player for the U.S. National Team in 1973 and as head coach for the U.S. National Junior Team in 1994.  Blais also served as assistant coach for the 1992 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team and was an assistant for Team USA at the 2000 IIHF World Championship.

If you are looking for team, schedule, or ticket information for the Fargo Force go to www.fargoforce.com.

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