MINOT, N.D. – Minot State's men's hockey coach, Wyatt Waselenchuk, earned a prestigious honor that will add to his workload this season.

Friday, the ACHA announced that the Beavers' 6^th-year head coach will also be head coach for Team USA at the 2027 FISU Winter World University Games in Changchun, China, January 13-25, 2027.

"I'm extremely honored, and have to give all the credit to my team and staff for the support and effort that they show towards me, day in and day out," Waselenchuk said of the honor. "Individual accolades like this are only possible with having a great group of people around you, which I am very fortunate to have here at Minot State."

This will be the third trip to the World University Games for Waselenchuk, as he played for Team USA during the 2012 FISU Winter World University Games in Trentino, Italy, as the starting goalie, and was assistant coach for Team USA at the 2-025 FISU Winter World University Games in Torino, Italy.

That mirrors Waselenchuk's career success at Minot State as he is a three-time ACHA National Champion, leading the Beavers to the title in 2012-13 as a goalie, earning ACHA Player of the Year honors that season, then serving as assistant coach for the Beavers' 2018-19 title team, and head coach for the Beavers' third National Championship in 2022-23.

"Having now been at two previous World University Games, once as a player and most recently as an assistant coach, I am familiar with the event and know what it will take to compete at that level," Team USA's coach said. "It is truly a remarkable event, and I am grateful for those that have chosen to put their faith in me to lead this team."

With the tournament landing in the middle of Minot State's hockey season, the challenge for Waselenchuk will be building a team and training for the games, while also focusing on his duties with the Beavers. While in China coaching Team USA, Waselenchuk will lean on his assistant coaches, Tyler Grimshaw and Brian Bauman, to lead Minot State in his absence.

"It will certainly be a challenge, but I am up for it," Waselenchuk said. "Our program here in Minot will obviously always have priority in terms of coaching, but given the timeline and us just getting the go-ahead a couple of weeks ago, it's going to take a lot to get a support staff and team together in three months. It will certainly present some challenges, but it is an honor I couldn't pass up, and I am excited to get to work."

Minot State (1-0-0 overall) opened its 2026-27 season Saturday night with a 3-1 win over visiting Arizona State, and hosts the Sun Devils again tonight at the Masya Arena's Eck Rink at 7:30 p.m.