MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State women's hockey team has its new leader.

Kevin Harmon, Minot State's Vice President for Student Affairs and Intercollegiate Athletics, announced today that the Beavers have hired North Dakota native Blake Zabinski as the next head coach for the Beaver women's hockey team.

Coach Zabinski comes to Minot State after two seasons at Marian University (Wis.) as the head coach of the Sabres' ACHA D2 men's team. He replaces Ryan Miner, who stepped down as the Beavers' head coach in May.

"I am beyond excited about the opportunity to take over this program, and returning home is something I have thought about for a long time," Minot State's newest head coach said. "Seeing how far women's hockey has come over the last several years makes me excited to help this program grow.

"Also, I want to say thank you to (Associate Athletic Director) Janna McKechnie and Kevin Harmon for giving me the opportunity to take over the women's hockey program at Minot State," Zabinski added. "I am excited to get to work and be a Beaver!"

Coach Zabinski officially begins his duties as head coach on August 1.

"We are excited to welcome Blake Zabinski as the next head coach of our women's hockey program," Harmon said. "Blake is an outstanding fit for our department, and his familiarity with our region and the ACHA will allow him to make an immediate impact.

"One of the qualities that stood out most during our search was Blake's well-rounded experience managing every aspect of a successful hockey program, both on and off the ice. From player development and recruiting to the day-to-day operations that are essential to sustained success, he has the skills and leadership we were looking for at Minot State."

Over the last two seasons, Zabinski led the Marian Sabres to back-to-back Northern Collegiate Hockey League (NCHL) titles, a 41-11-1 overall record, and was named NCHL Coach of the Year both seasons.

Along with serving as head coach for the D2 men's team, Zabinski also served as an assistant for Marian's NCAA D-III women's hockey team and the men's ACHA D3 team during his two seasons in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

"What drew me to Minot State were a few things, such as its history and how strong a competitive program it is in ACHA D1 women's hockey, being supported by the athletic department and its members, and being from North Dakota myself," Zabinski said. "The history of the program helps as well, from being a top-ranked team to competing against every team at a high level.

"Short-term goals for this program are to continue the success they had last year and look to build an even stronger program at Minot State," he added. "The chance to compete for the WMCH conference title and a national title will be the ultimate goal. Student-athlete success is also important to me, so watching these athletes grow into successful people while getting their degree and representing MSU is important, also."

A Grand Forks native, Zabinski played for Williston State and started his collegiate coaching career with the Tetons as an assistant coach in 2020-21.

Earning his Bachelor's in University Studies from Dickinson State in 2022 and his Master's in Sports Leadership from Jamestown in 2024, Zabinski spent three seasons as the head coach for the Jimmies' ACHA D2 men's team, compiling a 44-31-2 record and winning the Western Collegiate Club Hockey Association Championship in 2023-24. He also served as assistant coach for the Jimmies ACHA D1 men's and women's hockey teams from 2021-22 through the 2023-24 season.

"Long-term expectations will always be winning a national title and a WMCH title," Zabinski added of his goals for the Beaver program. "However, seeing the team have a high graduation rate and team GPA is a big factor for me. Also, knowing we will show up every day and work hard, but at the same time have fun and enjoy the game of hockey while we get to play it and, for me, coach it!"

As for what fans can expect on the ice from Minot State under the Beavers' new head coach, Zabinski said: "The style of hockey I would love for us to play is fast, hard, physical hockey. Find a way to play with some speed and killer instinct; we will be a tough team to beat. Overall, a hockey style that fans want to come to the Pepsi Rink at the Maysa Arena and say, 'We are here to watch the MSU women's ice hockey team play.'"