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.
Now in his fifth season as MSOE head coach, Ostapina has seen valuable playing time professionally in Sweden with the Väresteras Hocken Clubben and Malung Is Hockey Federation. He also skated in the United States, playing in the Continental Hockey League.
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). While an assistant coach, Ostapina was a participant in the NCAA Division I tournament, both at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (1994-1995) and the University of Alaska - Anchorage (1989-1991).
Outside of collegiate athletics, Ostapina was a five-time selection to serve on the USA Hockey Select team's coaching staff, which he was part of this past summer. He also lectures throughout the country as part of the USA Hockey Coaches Education program.
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 Ice Operations of the Kern Center.
Ostapina and his wife Teresa have been married for 26 years and they have two children, Krysti and Kyle.
