ANCHORAGE – The University of Alaska Anchorage has named Eric Rud the next head hockey coach of Seawolf Hockey, the university announced Monday. Rud becomes the eighth head coach in the history of the program.

Rud brings more than 25 years of collegiate, junior and international coaching experience to UAA, including Division I leadership, demonstrated recruiting success and proven leadership in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). Widely regarded as a strong program builder, Rud has coached and developed players across the NCAA, USHL and USA Hockey pathways.

"We are excited to welcome Eric Rud to UAA as the next head coach of Seawolf Hockey," said acting director of athletics Tanya Pont. "UAA hockey is truly unique among collegiate programs, with a proud and resilient history, and this hire reflects our strong commitment to the future of Seawolf hockey. Coach Rud's experience as a Division I coach and program builder, combined with his understanding of what it takes to compete and develop student-athletes, makes him the right choice to lead UAA Hockey into its next chapter."

Rud takes over the program after serving as an assistant coach at St. Cloud State for the past two seasons. Prior to that role, he served as the associate head coach at Miami (Ohio) for three seasons (2019-22) and was the head coach of the St. Cloud State women's hockey team for five seasons (2014-19). He has strong ties to junior hockey both in recruiting and serving as the head coach of the Sioux Falls Stampede (2022-24) and the head coach/general manager of the Green Bay Gamblers (2010-11). 

Throughout his career, Rud has worked extensively with the USA Hockey program and served as the head coach of the 2008 USA Under-17 team in the Four Nations Cup, the 2009 USA Under-18 team at the Hlinka Cup and the 2022 United States World Junior Challenge team that won a gold medal.

Rud has a proven track record of developing high-caliber talent, including Hobey Baker Award winner Drew LeBlanc, along with numerous student-athletes who earned All-American honors and advanced to professional hockey, including the NHL. His commitment to excellence extends beyond the ice, with more than 60 student-athletes earning all-academic honors under his leadership and more than 20 recognized as scholar-athletes with GPAs of 3.5 or higher.

"I'm honored to be selected as the next head hockey coach at UAA and grateful to university leadership and the search committee for the trust they've placed in me," said Rud. "Seawolf hockey has always been identified by grit and hard work. Our goal is to build a team that reflects that identity every day -  tough, disciplined and competitive - while developing student-athletes the right way. I'm excited to get to work with the staff and players to honor the history of UAA hockey and build a culture that respects the past, embraces the work and positions the hockey program for a strong and sustainable future."

A former defenseman, Rud played four seasons at Colorado College, where he earned a degree in psychology. A two-time team captain and two-time WCHA defensive player of the year, he went on to play professional hockey from 1997 to 2002. His professional career included time as a player-assistant coach with the ECHL's Florida Everblades and the WCHL's Idaho Steelheads.

Rud began his coaching career as an assistant with the USHL's Cedar Rapids Roughriders from 2002 to 2004 and later returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach at Colorado College during the 2004-05 season.

Rud and his wife Amy have three children -- Sam, Gabbie and Max. He will begin immediately as UAA prepares for the upcoming season and continues to invest in the long-term success of Seawolf Hockey.

"I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to lead our group into the next chapter of UAA hockey," said Rud. "I can't wait to dig in with our current team and also share the endless opportunities that exist within our program with the next generation of future Seawolves."