2006-2007 Cyclone Hockey Coaching Staff
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Al Murdoch
Head Coach |
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Head Coach Al Murdoch begins his 38th season behind the bench at Iowa State in 2006-2007 with a career record of 850
wins, 428 losses, and 36 ties. Murdoch has been involved in Cyclone Hockey from the program’s humble beginnings in 1969
through its rise as an American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division 1 national power.
Throughout his tenure at Iowa State, Murdoch has seen the program pass many milestones both on and off the ice. In 1972, Murdoch’s
third season as coach, the Cyclones made the move to Hilton Coliseum after playing all of their home games in Des Moines the
previous three years. Over the next three decades Murdoch oversaw the construction of two new arenas for the Cyclones and the
city of Ames, including the Ames/ISU Ice Arena which is the current home of the team. In order to build the newest arena,
Murdoch led a campaign in 2000 to raise $1.7 million in student fee commitments and presided over 167 presentations.
The hard work and dedication to the project resulted in the bond issue passing with an 83 percent positive vote.
Over his career Murdoch has also led the charge to implement competitive and recreational sports programs in the community.
In addition to creating youth hockey and figure skating programs, Murdoch also took the lead in founding intramural hockey,
broomball, and curling at Iowa State. He also put into operation beginner-level skating classes in the physical education
department which he continues to teach to this day. Aside from his work with youth hockey, Murdoch is involved in numerous
other community events and services and has spread that commitment to the hockey program.
Murdoch has cultivated a winning tradition of excellence on the ice that has extended into the classroom. Academically,
the men’s hockey graduation rate consistently stands above the 90 percent mark, and the program has boasted numerous Academic
All-Americans since the 1996-1997 season when the awards were first handed out.
On the ice Murdoch has coached 16 Athletic All-Americans and four winners of the Bob Johnson Award, an accolade given annually
to the ACHA’s most outstanding player. While the Bob Johnson Award rewards athletic excellence, it also honors community service
and classroom distinction. All three of these commitments have been staples of the Iowa State men’s hockey program under Murdoch.
From the moment Murdoch stepped onto the Iowa State campus he has been a winner. In 1969 he led Iowa State to the Iowa Collegiate
Hockey League Championships, which represented only the very beginning of a winning tradition. In 1971 Iowa State became a charter
member of the Central States Collegiate Hockey League (CSCHL). The program claimed its first conference title in 1973, and over
the next three decades Murdoch led Iowa State to 13 more CSCHL titles: three regular season titles in 1992, ’97 and 2002 and ten
additional playoff championships in 1980, ’81, ’84, ’85, ’87, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’97 and 2002. Add three Big 8 titles in 1974, ’77,
and ’79 and Murdoch has won 17 conference titles in 37 seasons.
On the national stage Murdoch has led Iowa State to 11 ACHA Final Four semifinals (1985, ’86, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’98 and 2001)
and seven national finals (1986, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’96 and ’97). The pinnacle season for Iowa State and Murdoch came in 1992 when the Cyclones
won their first national hockey championship with a 5-3 win over Michigan-Dearborn.
In 2001, Dr. Murdoch served as the head coach for Team USA in the World University Games. The tournament was highlighted by Team
USA upsetting the heavily favored Russians 4-2. In 2003 and 2005 Murdoch served as the general manager for Team USA and will once
again represent the team in the 2007 World University Games held this January in Torino, Italy.
Born on April 30, 1946, Murdoch received his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education and recreation and psychology from
Bemidji State in 1969, his master’s degree in higher education from Iowa State in 1970, and his doctorate in higher education from
Iowa State in 1984. Murdoch is married to his wife Jane and has five children: three sons, Sean, Andrew and Blake; and two daughters,
Kerri and Amy. |
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Brian Wierson
Associate Head Coach |
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Brian is back with Cyclone Hockey, this time, as Associate Head Coach. His responsibilities with the team will be to assist Head Coach, Dr. Alan Murdoch with recruiting efforts as well as advertising and sponsorship duties. On the ice, Brian will be working with players in developing their skills so while at Iowa State they play the best hockey of their lives.
Prior to rejoining the Cyclone Hockey family, Brian spent one year in Des Moines. He was the GM at Metro Ice Facility in Urbandale and was an Assistant Coach to former Cyclones Doug Borud and Jeff Richer with the Des Moines Oak Leafs. They capped off a successful season by winning the Midwest High School Hockey League championship for the second year in a row. Before returning to Des Moines, he was an Assistant Coach in Roseau, Minnesota for three years. Brian helped the Rams back to the “AA” State Tournament with a state record setting 30th appearance in 2006. This past year, many of the Rams he worked with skated off with the “AA” Championship, their 7th in school history.
Brian has had previous coaching stints in several other areas of the country. He looks to bring that wealth of knowledge to this year’s team and hopes for a hungry group of players. Other coaching positions include: Assistant Coach – West Fargo Packers, Assistant Coach – Des Moines Oak Leafs, Head Coach – Team Tri State at Chicago Showcase, Lead Instructor – International Hockey Schools, Lead Instructor – USA Hockey Select Camp, Assistant Instructor – East Grand Forks Hockey School, Assistant Program Director – Al Murdoch Hockey School and Head Coach – Midget Minor Jr. Bucs. Brian has also earned his Level 4 Coaching Certificate through the Coaching Education Program with USA Hockey.
Brian currently resides in Nevada, Iowa with his wife Annie and their daughter Josie.
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