Oct. 15, 2009

USA Hockey announced Wednesday that Mark Carlson, a former UMass Lowell hockey player and assistant coach, was tabbed to lead the 2009 U.S. Junior Select Team, which will compete at the World Junior A Challenge on Nov. 1-8 in Summerside, P.E.I. Carlson skated with the River Hawks from 1990-93 before assuming the role of assistant coach for the 1995-96 season.

Currently the head coach and general manager of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League, Carlson will take the reins for the second consecutive year. In 2008, he coached the U.S. Junior Select Team all the way to the World Junior A Challenge championship.

As a player, Carlson finished his UMass Lowell career with six goals and three assists, including one game-winner. In 1993, he was the recipient of the "Gus" Coutu Award given annually to the player who best exemplifies the spirit of the River Hawk hockey program. Carlson's impact was felt even more as a member of the coaching staff, helping to guide UMass Lowell to its first Division I NCAA Tournament berth.

At the helm of the RoughRiders since 1999, Carlson has led Cedar Rapids to nine winning seasons and a Clark Cup championship in 2004-05. The following season he was named the USHL Coach of the Year. Honored again in 2008-09, Carlson was given the United States Olympic Committee Development Coach of the Year award.

For more information, please visit www.USAHockey.com(.)