Quake sign new coach to two-year contract

The Yellowstone Quake have hired a new coach for the Junior A hockey team.

Craig Furstenau, the former head coach of the Oakland University Grizzlies and a coach in the Little Caesars hockey organization in Michigan for three years, has agreed to a two-year contract.

Furstenau takes the reigns from Sean Hogan, who has accepted an assistant coaching position at NCAA Division I Western Michigan University. Hogan will continue his association with the Quake as a scout and consultant.

"We are excited to have Coach Furstenau join our organization," Quake board president Bob Bole said, "His enthusiasm and background will help our program to continue building quality hockey players."

"I am confident Craig will do a great job. I have worked with and known him for many years," Hogan said. "His hockey knowledge and background are unmatched, and I'm excited for the Quake this season."

Last season the Quake finished second in the America West division of the Northern Pacific Hockey League and was the 2008-09 regular season America West Division champions.

Furstenau spent last season as an assistant coach with the Toledo Walleye of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), the professional hockey league AA affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks.

During his three-year tenure as a coach in the Little Caesar's organization, his teams twice qualified for the national championships.

His Midget Minor team won the state and national championships in 2008. While coaching at Oakland University, the Grizzlies won the Greater Midwest Hockey League season titles in 2003 and 2004 after the team finished last in 2002.

After going 23 games without a loss in 2004, Furstenau led OU to the GMHL playoffs and won the American College Hockey Association's Division II Championship.

Following a season that included a 20-game winning streak, OU lost the 2005 title game in overtime.

OU was the first team to win consecutive seasons and the first team to win the regular season and playoff titles in same season.

Hogan was Furstenau's assistant coach when the Grizzlies won their first national championship in 2004.

In addition to coaching, Furstenau works one-on-one with players to help develop their skating and playing skills. He hosts hockey clinics and enjoys teaching children how to skate.

"I have always wanted an opportunity to coach hockey in the West. I take my annual vacations in Wyoming and Montana to fly fish," Furstenau said.

He was already scheduled to go fishing in the Cody area in early August when he applied for the Quake coaching position.

"I live and breathe hockey," Furstenau said.

He had to give up on a career as a hockey player when he suffered too many concussions, but he's been coaching ever since.

"There are days when I'm on skates for six hours. I am passionate about the game, and take pride in my ability to develop players, not only on the ice but with life skills," he said. "I want to play an integral role in helping players achieve their dream of playing hockey at higher levels."

The Quake is nationally recognized for promoting their players to the next level. Half of last season's team have already moved to upper level teams.

"The most important aspect of junior hockey is the ability of the organization to put more emphasis on promoting players. A good win-loss record is secondary. The Yellowstone organization has been able to do both," Furstenau said. "Winning is important, but striving to win, and the attitude is what develops players and gives them the opportunity to compete at the next level."

A native of Grosse Ile, Mich., Furstenau, 32, is the youngest of four children, single, and has nine nieces and nephews.

He completed his bachelor's degree in liberal arts at Oakland University. Besides hunting and fishing, Furstenau also enjoys painting, drawing and landscaping.