Head Coach Mark Ostapina
Mark Ostapina, who played college hockey under legendary coach Bob Johnson at the University of Wisconsin, serves as the MSOE Raiders' head ice hockey coach.
In his ninth season as the MSOE head coach, Ostapina has led the Raiders to three Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (MCHA) Championships and two Harris Cup trophies. Ostapina has also won the MCHA Coach of the Year award and was a semifinalist for the Edward Jeremiah American Hockey Coaches Association Coach of the Year three times in his career.
Outside of collegiate athletics, Ostapina was a twelve-time selection to serve on the USA Hockey Select team's coaching staff, which he was, part of this past summer. Ostapina‘s Select 17 team won the programwide championship and he was selected to in the first ever Select Camp All-Star game, leading his team to a 3-2 victory. He also lectures throughout the country as part of the USA Hockey Coaches Education program.
Previously as a collegiate head coach, Ostapina led New England College in Henniker, N.H. from 1995 to 2001, advancing them to the NCAA Division III national tournament in 2001. His team finished the season ranked eighth in the nation among NCAA Division III institutions. Ostapina received his start in collegiate coaching serving as an assistant coach at University of Alaska Anchorage (1987-1991) and then filling the same position at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (1991-1995). At both universities, Ostapina was a participant in the NCAA Division I tournament.
As a player, Ostapina played four years for the University of Wisconsin Badgers, he played professionally in Sweden for Vasteras AC and the Malung Ishockey club. Prior to leaving oversea he played for the Chicago Cardinals in the Continental Hockey League.
Ostapina has a bachelor's degree in journalism and public communication from the University of Alaska Anchorage and a master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Ostapina also serves as the Director of Compliance and Ice Arena consultant for the Kern Center.
Ostapina and his wife Teresa have been married for 31 years and they have two children, Krysti and Kyle.
Assistant Coaches
Aaron Kinslow
Aaron Kinslow is in his first year as assistant coach of the MSOE Raiders hockey program. He most recently served as assistant coach of the Bismarck Bobcats of the North American Hockey League. He also served as assistant coach of the Fargo Moorhead Jets from 2004-2008.
Kinslow is a graduate of the University of Minnesota - Crookston, where he played goaltender and was a four year letter winner. Before attending college, he played goaltender for the Junior AUSHL Dubuque Fighting Saints. "Coach Kinslow is a tremendous addition to our staff," said Coach Ostapina. "His knowledge goes beyond the goaltending position and his connections in Junior A and Midget AAA recruiting circles is invaluable."
Josh Nickols
Josh Nickols enters his 11th year of coaching at MSOE. A former on-ice star for the Raiders, he was named first team All-Conference each of his four years, was voted team MVP three times, was captain his senior year and is still in the MSOE record book as the all-time leading scorer. Nickols also is a member of MSOE’s 100-point club and is the school’s all-time career point leader with 189 points. In January 2006 he was inducted into the MSOE Athletic Hall of Fame.
Outside of MSOE, Nickols works as a project engineer at Ring and DuChateau Inc.
