?Steve Freeman has been named head hockey coach at UW-River Falls according to men's athletic director Rick Bowen. ?"We are very excited about having Steve Freeman take over the Falcons hockey program," said Bowen. "We didn't have to look far to find someone to take over the program and continue its success." ?Freeman has been the Falcons top assistant coach the past seven years. He has contributed to all areas of the Falcons hockey program including recruiting, game plan implementation, practice planning plus other responsibilities. ?With his leadership last year the Falcons set a NCHA record for fewest goals allowed (36). The Falcons have reached the NCAA Div. III semi-finals each of the last four years. They placed second in 1993, won the title in 1994 and placed third in 1995 and 1996. ?Freeman brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the college game and is well known to hockey people across the nation. He has 18 years coaching experience at the high school, Junior A and college levels. He previously was a head coach/general manager in the United States Hockey League. He served as head coach at St. Mary's Springs High School (Fond du Lac) where his team won a State championship. He also had great success at Stevens Point High School where his teams made state tourney appearances. He led his teams to four conference titles. He has coached several Wisconsin Select teams at the Minnesota Hockey Festival held each August. ?The New Brighton, Minn., native played hockey through the high school, Junior A and college levels. ?He has been involved with hockey symposiums and clinics both in the United States and internationally. He has often been a guest speaker/instructor at U.S.A. Hockey clinics. ?He and wife Deb reside in River Falls. ?Freeman replaces Dean Talafous who was named hockey coach at Alaska-Anchorage on May 8. HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.