THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. – The Thief River Falls Norskies of the Superior International Junior Hockey League announced Thursday the naming of Wilson Housley as the club’s new head coach.
Housley becomes the second coach in Norskies history as he joins the club replacing Cole Workman who accepted a position on the staff at Bemidji State University earlier in the off-season.
The-26-year-old is also an alumnus of the SIJHL, playing for the 2010-11 Bill Salonen Cup champion Wisconsin Wilderness, where he finished fourth in team scoring and was over point-per-game player with 58 in 51 contests on 23 goals and 35 assists.
His high school career Stillwater High School in Minnesota saw him serve as captain and earned MVP honors.
More recently he has played for Arizona State University, producing 37 and 50 points in the two seasons he played there while earning his Bachelor’s degree in 2018.
Housley also trained elite players aged 13 to 21 for six years at the Lumberyard Training Facility in Stillwater, MN.
“From my playing career or developing young people, I strive to create a motivated focus for success,” stated Housley.
“Whether it is on or off the ice; my commitment, dedication and using my leadership qualities, I can create a hardworking atmosphere and healthy environment,” added the new Thief River Falls coach.
His father is NHL Hall of Fame player Phil Housley, who is currently coach of the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL while his mother, Karin Housley is a candidate for United States Senator in Minnesota.