Aug. 28, 2015

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Mark Strobel has been named associate head coach for the Ohio State men’s hockey team, Steve Rohlik, the Buckeyes’ head coach, announced Friday. Strobel, a defenseman who played for Wisconsin and in the New Jersey Devils organization, has been on the coaching staff at Omaha, Minnesota Duluth and Colorado College, as well as in the United States Hockey League.

“I’ve known Mark for a long time and we are excited to add him to our staff,” Rohlik said. “He is a great teacher and motivator who has a real passion for the game and a strong work ethic. Mark is very well known in the hockey community and will help us continue to push our program to the next level.”

Strobel, who spent one season as a high school coach, began his collegiate coaching career with Colorado College in 1998-99 as the team’s volunteer coach, helping lead the squad to the NCAA quarterfinals. He then moved to the Twin Cities Vulcans in the USHL for the 1999-00 season, where the team won the 2000 USA Hockey Junior A title. Strobel joined the Minnesota Duluth staff for two seasons (2000-01, 2001-02) before a two-year stint with Nebraska Omaha (2002-03, 2003-04). Strobel has stayed active in hockey at many levels, including serving as a rinkside reporter for Big Ten Network.

“I am humbled and thankful for the opportunity Ohio State has given me to join the staff,” Strobel said. “Coaching is in my DNA and I look forward to working with and finding great people, players and students to help us win championships. I know this is a great program and I can’t wait to get started. Ohio State has all the resources to be successful.”

Strobel was a four-year letterwinner on the blueline for Wisconsin from 1991-95, serving as team captain as both a junior and senior. In 1995, when the Badgers won the league tournament, he was an Honorable Mention All-WCHA choice, all-tournament team selection and received the team’s Fenton Kelsey Jr. Most Competitive Award. Wisconsin was the 1992 NCAA runner up during Strobel’s freshman campaign and the squad reached the NCAA tournament each of his four years. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Wisconsin in 1996.

Strobel was signed by the New Jersey Devils and spent two years with the organization, playing for the AHL Albany River Rats and the ECHL Raleigh Icecaps.

Strobel, a St. Paul, Minn., native and his wife, Lilah, have two children, Jack (11) and Greta (9). Strobel attended Hill-Murray High School, winning a state hockey title in 1991.