LRSC Hockey takes next step -- meet our new hockey coaches!
Lake Region State College announces the hiring of head coaches for its new men’s and women’s hockey programs.
Lake Region State College announces the hiring of head coaches for its new men’s and women’s hockey programs.
Logan Kraft will lead the women’s hockey team and Christian Vivian will head the men’s team.
“We are excited to have Christian and Logan take on the head coaching roles for the men’s & women’s hockey programs here at Lake Region,” said LRSC Athletic Director Jared Marshall.
Kraft currently is involved in the Devils Lake hockey community working with squirt hockey teams and as a coach for the Devils Lake Firebirds boys hockey program. A native of Devils Lake, Kraft split the 2016-2017 season between Williston State College and Glacier Nationals and then continued at WSC for the 2017-2018 season. He then transferred to the University of Mary and played hockey from 2018 to 2020.
“Logan has a strong reputation and backing in the Devils Lake community. He has been involved in every level of Devils Lake hockey as a player or coach,” Marshall said.
Kraft was an assistant men’s ice hockey coach at the University of Mary in 2021. He earned his associate in arts degree from WSC in 2018, bachelor’s degrees in Education from the University of Mary in 2020, and master’s degree in Education from UND in 2022.
“I am beyond excited for the opportunity to start the great traditions and culture of women’s hockey at Lake Region State College. I will work extremely hard to recruit the best student athletes and coaching staff to make sure that we are competitive, hard-working and community oriented, on and off the ice,” Kraft said.
Vivian played for DCB in the 2014 and 2015 seasons and then transferred to Utah State and helped lead them to the ACHA National Tournament. He’s worked with the hockey program at the University of Oregon, helping build teams that were three-peat conference champions. He currently is an assistant coach at DCB.
“Christian has proven himself to be an effective recruiter and has an outstanding reputation in the North Dakota hockey community,” Marshall said.
A native of Gig Harbor, WA, Vivian earned a marketing and management degree from DCB, a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Utah State University and a master’s degree in Accounting with a minor in Finance from University of Oregon.
“I am excited to be a part of the first hockey team at Lake Region State College and humbled to be chosen as the first head coach in the program’s history. Devils Lake has an incredible hockey community and a lot of history with the sport. So, being able to bring a college hockey product to the area is a great move by the school. I am excited to get to work in bringing in talented players and teams to compete against,” Vivian said.
Both hockey programs will compete in the ACHA (American Collegiate Hockey Association) Division II. The ACHA men’s side is comprised of 190 schools in four regions. On the ACHA women’s side, 58 teams make up three regions. LRSC will not be able to participate in post-season play for the first two seasons.
Marshall said the leadership of our two programs is in exceptional hands and he is excited about the direction LRSC hockey is heading.
“Christian and Logan both have tremendous energy and passion as coaches. We are looking forward to them bringing this trait to their respective programs and getting LRSC Hockey off to a great start,” Marshall said.
With the addition of men’s & women’s hockey, Lake Region State College now offers five NJCAA sports & four club sports.