MINOT, N.D. – Minot State’s males’s hockey coach, Wyatt Waselenchuk, earned a prestigious honor that can add to his workload this season.
Friday, the ACHA introduced that the Beavers’ 6th-year head coach may also be head coach for Workforce USA on the 2027 FISU Winter World College Video games in Changchun, China, January 13-25, 2027.
“I am extraordinarily honored, and have to provide all of the credit score to my staff and employees for the assist and energy that they present in the direction of me, day in and time out,” Waselenchuk mentioned of the dignity. “Particular person accolades like this are solely doable with having an incredible group of individuals round you, which I’m very lucky to have right here at Minot State.”
This would be the third journey to the World College Video games for Waselenchuk, as he performed for Workforce USA through the 2012 FISU Winter World College Video games in Trentino, Italy, because the beginning goalie, and was assistant coach for Workforce USA on the 2-025 FISU Winter World College Video games in Torino, Italy.
That mirrors Waselenchuk’s profession success at Minot State as he’s a three-time ACHA Nationwide Champion, main the Beavers to the title in 2012-13 as a goalie, incomes ACHA Participant of the Yr honors that season, then serving as assistant coach for the Beavers’ 2018-19 title staff, and head coach for the Beavers’ third Nationwide Championship in 2022-23.
“Having now been at two earlier World College Video games, as soon as as a participant and most just lately as an assistant coach, I’m accustomed to the occasion and know what it should take to compete at that degree,” Workforce USA’s coach mentioned. “It’s really a exceptional occasion, and I’m grateful for people who have chosen to place their religion in me to steer this staff.”
With the event touchdown in the course of Minot State’s hockey season, the problem for Waselenchuk might be constructing a staff and coaching for the video games, whereas additionally specializing in his duties with the Beavers. Whereas in China teaching Workforce USA, Waselenchuk will lean on his assistant coaches, Tyler Grimshaw and Brian Bauman, to steer Minot State in his absence.
“It is going to actually be a problem, however I’m up for it,” Waselenchuk mentioned. “Our program right here in Minot will clearly all the time have precedence when it comes to teaching, however given the timeline and us simply getting the go-ahead a few weeks in the past, it’ll take lots to get a assist employees and staff collectively in three months. It is going to actually current some challenges, however it’s an honor I could not go up, and I’m excited to get to work.”
Minot State (1-0-0 general) opened its 2026-27 season Saturday night time with a 3-1 win over visiting Arizona State, and hosts the Solar Devils once more tonight on the Masya Area’s Eck Rink at 7:30 p.m.
