Nick Oliver has been named the new head coach of the men's hockey team at St. Cloud State University. He returns to his alma mater as the fourth head coach of the Division I era and the 19th overall in the program's history.
Nick Oliver to return to St. Cloud State University as the next men's hockey head coach.
St. Cloud Stateās Nick Oliver passes the puck past Quinnipiacās Travis St. Denis during the NCAA Frozen Four on April 11, 2013, at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh.
St. Cloud State University Director of Athletics Holly SchreinerĀ announcedĀ OliverĀ as the next men's hockey head coach, according to a university release. Oliver returns to his alma mater to become the fourth head coach of the D-I era (since 1987-88) and 19thĀ overall in program history.
St. Cloud State hockey junior Barrett Hall skates into the corner during the opening game of the season against St. Thomas on Oct. 4, 2025 at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. SCSU lost 4-3.
"This is an exciting time for St. Cloud State Hockey as we are thrilled to welcome Nick Oliver back to St. Cloud State University as our next head hockey coach," said Schreiner in a release.Ā "Nick's track record of success with recruiting, developing talent, and winning, paired with him being an alum makes this the ideal fit at the right time. We are so excited to welcome Nick and his wonderful family back to St. Cloud and can't wait for this next chapter of Husky Hockey."
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St. Cloud State assistant coach Nick Oliver calls out to players Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, at Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.
Oliver said he and his family are excited to return to St. Cloud.
"I'm humbled and honored for the opportunity to be the next head coach of St. Cloud State Men's Hockey," said Oliver in a release. "I appreciate the support of President Tomso, Director of Athletics Holly Schreiner and the entire search committee for putting their trust in me. I'm excited to start the process of building relationships and connecting with our current and incoming players. We have tremendous alumni and supporters of the program that I look forward to speaking with. My family and I couldn't be more excited to call St. Cloud home again."
A former Husky captain, Oliver ascended the coaching rankings quickly, spending seven seasons in collegiate hockey and four in the United States Hockey League (USHL) while helping his teams reach two NCAA Frozen Fours as an Assistant Coach and a USHL regular season championship as a head coach. He is the only coach or player to be a part of both NCAA Frozen Fours in SCSU history, playing in the 2013 Frozen Four and serving as an assistant on the 2021 team that reached the national championship game. Oliver has played or coached in seven of nine NCAA Tournament wins for the Huskies and six of 17 NCAA Tournament appearances in program history.
St. Cloud State hockey senior Max Smolinski competes during the opening game of the season against St. Thomas on Oct. 4, 2025 at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. SCSU lost 4-3.
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Oliver returns to St. Cloud for the second time after spending the past three seasons at Wisconsin under SCSU alum Mike Hastings. The Badgers have reached the NCAA Tournament twice in Oliver's three seasons on the bench, including a trip to the 2026 NCAA Frozen Four and National Championship game, which was the program's first Frozen Four and national title game appearance since 2010. Oliver coached the forward group during his time in Madison with three Badgers earning All-Big Ten honors, the release stated.
Before returning to the collegiate game, Oliver spent one season (2022-23) as head coach of the Fargo Force of the USHL, leading the organization to 40 victories, a league-best 88 points and the franchise's first Anderson Cup as USHL regular-season champions. Oliver was named USHL Coach of the Year for his efforts and helped lead the Force to the Clark Cup final, SCSU reported.
Oliver spent four seasons (2018-22) on the bench for one of the most successful four-year runs of Husky Hockey, helping the Huskies to an 81-44-9 mark, three NCAA Tournaments, a NCHC Spencer Penrose regular season championship and a NCAA Frozen Four appearance. The Huskies first season with Oliver on the bench (2018-19) was one of the most successful in program history, with SCSU posting a 30-6-3 record while winning the NCHC regular season title with a conference record 19 wins and 66 points before earning a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies then advanced to its second-ever NCAA Frozen Four and first NCAA national championship game appearance in 2021 with Oliver helping behind the bench, SCSU reported.
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Oliver began his coaching career immediately right after college in 2015, spending three seasons with the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede (2015-18) as an assistant coach and director of scouting.
The Roseau, Minnesota, native played in 145 career games at SCSU from 2011-15, serving as a team captain his senior year and alternate captain as a junior, the report stated. He earned three Academic All-Conference honors and was named the 2015 NCHC Sportsmanship Award recipient. The Huskies won the WCHA regular season title in 2013, the inaugural NCHC regular season title in 2014, made three consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament (2013-15) and advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four for the first time in program history in 2013. Oliver was a 2009 NHL draft pick of the Nashville Predators and played for the Fargo Force (USHL) from 2008-11.
Oliver is a 2015 SCSU graduate with a degree in business finance. He and his wife, Alex, have three children, Thomas, Lenna and Grant. His wife Alex (Makaric) played three seasons with the St. Cloud State Women's Hockey team from 2013-16.
Oliver's coaching experience2015-18: Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL), Assistant Coach2018-22: St. Cloud State (NCAA), Assistant Coach2022-23: Fargo Force (USHL), Head Coach2023-26: Wisconsin (NCAA), Assistant Coach
Oliver's playing experience2008-11: Fargo Force (USHL)2011-15: St. Cloud State (NCAA)
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Nick Oliver named St. Cloud State men's hockey coach
Nick Oliver has been appointed as the new men's hockey head coach at St. Cloud State University.
Nick Oliver is an alumnus of St. Cloud State University, where he previously played hockey.
The St. Cloud State men's hockey program has had 19 head coaches in its history, with Nick Oliver being the fourth in the Division I era.
Nick Oliver played for St. Cloud State's hockey team during the NCAA Frozen Four on April 11, 2013.
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