Matt Strinden is eager to get back on the ice and teach the game of hockey.

Strinden, a native of Grand Forks, has been named the new head coach of the Bismarck Blizzard girls hockey team.

He will succeed Kevin Mahon, who had the position for the past three years and compiled a 56-16-0 record.

"When I interviewed with (activities director) Jim Haussler, I told him I was ecstatic about the opportunity to get back on the ice and work with kids again," Strinden said. "It's a great opportunity to work in such a quality program."

Strinden enters the Blizzard program with coaching experience.

He began his hockey coaching career in the Grand Forks Bantam program, where he coached for two years.

Strinden was an assistant coach in the Grand Forks Red River boys program from 1997-2003 and in the Grand Forks girls program from 2003-05.

He was also active in coaching select teams during the summer months for three years, including the Junior Sioux 85's and the Dakota Blizzard 85's.

Strinden has been idle from coaching lately.

He was a high school principal at Northwood for three years, and he is currently working for the North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education as the state technology education supervisor for secondary education.

He moved to Bismarck in September of 2008.

Strinden is eager to meet with his players and get his coaching staff in order.

"I hope to meet individually with each of the returning players and introduce myself and get a feel for what they are looking for in a coach," Strinden said. "I'm hoping to meet with Kevin about the direction of the program."

Strinden graduated from Red River High School in 1993.

He acquired his bachelor of science degree from the University of North Dakota in 2000.

He has a coaching minor with an emphasis in hockey and strength training.

In 2005, Strinden received his master's in education degree in educational leadership from UND. He is currently working on his doctorate in educational leadership.

Strinden and his wife, Jacqueline, have three kids.