KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan hockey program and head coach Pat Ferschweiler have announced the hiring of Jason Herter to the position of associate head coach.
Herter joins the Broncos after spending nine seasons helping build Minnesota-Duluth into a national power, helping the Bulldogs win national championships in 2018 and 2019 as an assistant and associate head coach. While at UMD the team made the NCAA Tournament five times and won the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Frozen Faceoff in 2017 and 2019. Herter also coached Hobey Baker Award winner forward Jack Connolly in 2012.
"Western Michigan is very lucky to have Jason Herter as a part of our program," said Ferschweiler. "Jason is a long-time trusted friend and a great person. He has achieved a very high level of success in every step of his playing and coaching career. He is a tremendous recruiter and an even better developer of talent. I am beyond excited to get to work with him again."
"I am a very fortunate guy to be able to work with another close friend," added Herter. "I had a previous relationship with Sandy (UMD head coach Scott Sandelin) and the same goes with Fersch. He videotaped my daughter's second birthday and how she is married with a son. Not many people get these types of opportunities in their life. I'm excited and feel very fortunate to be back in the NCHC with another good friend."
Herter also coached in the United States Hockey League as an assistant with the Fargo Force and then serving as head coach and general manager before joining Minnesota-Duluth. The Saskatchewan native got his start in coaching alongside Ferschweiler at Russell Stover as the general manager and head coach of the 16U AAA program.
He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota, where he starred as defenseman from 1988-91, racking up 119 points on 30 goals and 89 assists in 118 games in just three seasons. He was selected in the first round, eighth overall, in the 1989 by the Vancouver Canucks. Herter had an extensive professional career in the IHL, including a two-season stint with the Kalamazoo Wings. He made his NHL debut with the New York Islanders during the 1995-96 season. He wrapped up his professional career with a four-year stint in Germany, spending the final three seasons with the Munchen Barons.
Herter also holds a Master's degree in entrepreneurship from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He has a wife, Laura, and two children Jordyn and Jacob.
