USHL announces 2004 Prospects / All-Star Game coaches
January 13, 2004 - United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release
The United States Hockey League (USHL), announced today that Glen Sonmor, Bob Gernander, Eric Rud and Tom Rudrud will serve as the league's coaching staff at the 2004 USHL Prospects / All-Star Game game in Lincoln, Neb., on Feb. 3.
Sonmor and Rudrud will guide Team USHL. Gernander and Rud will lead Team World.
As a player, Sonmor skated a few games for the New York Rangers in the 1950s. Long after his playing career ended, he became better known as the head coach of the Minnesota North Stars in the 1970s and 1980s. Prior to that, however, Sonmor tested his mettle in the Division I college ranks with both Ohio State University and, later, with the University of Minnesota, replacing the legendary "Godfather of American Hockey," John Mariucci.
Sonmor's next stop was in St. Paul, Minn., as the head coach of the WHA's Minnesota Fighting Saints. In two seasons at the helm, Sonmor guided the team to 57 victories in 120 games.
Upon his subsequent arrival in Bloomington, he wasted little time making the North Stars competitive and led the club to its first-ever Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 1981. He stepped down a week into the 1986-87 season for health reasons after leading Minnesota to 174 wins during his tenure. In six seasons coaching at the game's pinnacle, Sonmor never finished with a winning percentage below .506.
Gernander currently serves as a scout in the Dallas Stars organization and worked prior with the San Jose Sharks. His impact on the hockey world has been felt at nearly every level, beginning in the Minnesota high school ranks where he piloted many successful Greenway High School teams. During his time with the Raiders, Gernander coached several future college and professional players, one of which, Mike Peluso, claimed a Stanley Cup championship with the New Jersey Devils in 1994-95.
Two of Gernander's sons, twins Jerry and Jim skated in the USHL with Fargo-Moorhead in 1996-97. Jerry Gernander finished the season as the team's third-leading scorer. All three of Gernander's boys - Jerry, Jim and Ken - went on to professional hockey careers.
Rud is in his second year as Mark Carlson's assistant coach in Cedar Rapids. Prior to joining the RoughRiders' staff, Rud played professionally with San Antonio, Quebec City, Fort Meyers, Kansas City and Boise. That followed a stellar college career at Colorado College.
In junior hockey, Rud was a dominant force with the Des Moines Buccaneers. Rud and the Bucs won both the Clark and Gold Cups in 1992. The following season he was named the USHL's Player of the Year and Defenseman of the Year.
Rudrud, currently the assistant coach with the Tri-City Storm, also has USHL roots that run deep. He played in the league as a standout member of the Bloomington Junior Stars in 1978-79, racking up 83 points in 50 games. From there, he embarked on a successful collegiate career at Ferris State.
Following his playing days, Rudrud began his coaching career as an assistant with the Bulldogs. He moved from there to the University of Illinois-Chicago. Subsequently back in the USHL with head coach Bliss Littler and the Topeka ScareCrows, Rudrud helped guide the team to a second-place finish in the West Division last season before re-joining Littler in Tri-City.
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