The Fargo Force will be led by Head Coach/GM Dean Blais. Prior to joining the Fargo Force, Dean Blais served in Player Development and was the Associate Head Coach for the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, he also served as the head coach of the University of North Dakota's men's hockey team for 10 years. Blais, known for his up-tempo, offensive style, won two national championships with the Fighting Sioux, in 1997 and 2000. In 2001, the fifth of five straight NCAA appearances, North Dakota was runner up. In all, North Dakota had seven NCAA tournament appearances in Blais' 10 years as head coach, as he compiled a 262-115-33 (.679) record. The Sioux also won five regular-season WCHA championships and two WCHA tournament championships in that span, which included five 30-wins campaigns.
He was a two-time Spencer Penrose National Coach of the Year and three-time WCHA Coach of the Year. Blais was the 24th head coach of North Dakota following a two-year stint as athletic director and head hockey coach at International Falls (Minn.) High School. He was the head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team in 1993, an assistant coach with the team in 1987 and 1988 and an assistant for Team USA at the 2000 World Championships.
Before working behind the bench, Blais played four seasons of hockey at the University of Minnesota while earning the Gophers' Rookie of the Year in 1970 and an NCAA All-Tournament selection in 1971. He played one season with the U.S. National Team in 1973, followed by a three-year career with the Chicago Blackhawks' affiliate in Dallas.
Assistant Coach Chad Johnson chadj@fargoforce.com 701.446.6725
Chad is the Assistant Coach for the Fargo Force. He is originally from Grand Forks, ND.
He began his hockey career at Grand Forks Central High School and then went on to play junior hockey. Chad played 2 years with the Rochester Mustangs. While there he was the leading scorer and his team took home a National Championship. He also played 1 year at Minot Saskatchewan and held the position of team captain, as well as leading scorer. This led him to his college career, playing for 4 years at the University of North Dakota. He then went on to play 3 years in professional hockey, 2 years with Fort Worth Fire and 1 year with the Muskegon Fury.
With 12 years of experience in coaching Chad will be a tremendous asset to the Fargo Force. He began his coaching career as an Assistant Coach for the Lincoln Stars. While he was there the team broke the winning record for an expansion team and also won the USHL Championship, the Clark Cup. He coached 2 years for the America West League, 1 year as Head Coach of the Helena Goldrush and 1 year as Head Coach of the Minot Muskies, where he won Coach of the Year. He then moved to the North American League and coached the Bismarck Bobcats for 4 years. While in Bismarck his team had 3 National Championship appearances and won 2 Borne Cups. For the past 3 years Chad has been the Head Coach of the Fargo-Moorhead Jets. He was able to take them to the league finals 2 years.
Assistant Coach Jason Herter jasonh@fargoforce.com 913.660.5017
Jason Herter has been hired as an assistant coach with the Fargo Force. Herter will assist Coach Dean Blais (along with the recently named assistant coach Chad Johnson).
"This is a great opportunity for my career in hockey," says Herter. "My role will be to assist Coach Blais and Chad Johnson in the recruitment and management of the finest young talent in hockey."
Herter has been involved in hockey, both as a player and coach. He played for the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks from 1989-1991. Herter was most recently a coach with Russell Stover, a Tier One Midget Triple AAA team in Overland Park, Kansas.
"I've known Jason during my coaching days at UND," says Coach Dean Blais. "He was a solid player and has grown in his role as a leader with Russell Stover. I have no doubt he'll be a great assistant coach for the Fargo Force."
