The Grand Valley State University Division II club hockey team will have a different look this season. After nine seasons, former head coach Mike Forbes has retired and the team now looks to new head coach Carl Trosien to carry on the legacy of the program.

Trosien talks about the hiring process with GVSU, is very excited to apply his leadership to this talented program.

“Once I got the job it was quite a wild ride. Obviously, moving from Iowa to here and getting back home,” Trosien said. “In the interview process, I think Grand Valley was very clear the direction that they wanted the program to go, it was laid out very well, and it just so happens that my resume and what I bring to the table matched up well with what they were looking for.” 

Trosien is a veteran presence around ACHA hockey. Most recently coaching as an assistant at Waldorf University, he has head coaching experience at Northern Michigan University and Delta College.

“I think what it comes down to is having head coaching experience with knowing how budgets work, knowing how the ACHA works because that’s the league we play in. I think that Grand Valley is at a stage with club sports where they understand that if we want to be competitive we have to get out there and recruit,” Trosien said.

With a new head coach generally comes a new set of values and practices for the team to live by. It is the way for the coach to immediately come to a job and start to build a culture.

“The Laker way, it seems to fit our core values. Essentially it is everything we need to continue to be successful. It hits on work ethic, it hits on character, it hits on accountability, it hits on commitment and what it takes to get where we want to go,” Trosien said.

Trosien talked a lot about the tradition and the way the program has been run at Grand Valley. A main focus of his is to highlight the things he likes about the program and update some things he feels could be improved for the better of the team. 

“One of the things we saw right away was our branding and how we identify with the university,” Trosien said. “Maybe not this first weekend but by week two or week three you’re going to see a different look from us; in apparel and jerseys and our game wear. It is going to tie into the tradition of Grand Valley, but we came up with something that club sports wants us to look.” 

Trosien hopes to continue having big seasons that the team has seen in the past and discussed about his expectations for the team this season.

“Obviously, the national tournament will go a long way. Postseason play will play a big role in how we judge it,” Trosien said. “The team was bounced in regionals last year and that hasn’t sat well with them. The goal is to get back to the national tournament.” 

Trosien explained his gratitude for being given this opportunity.

“I know the tradition and history of Grand Valley hockey,” Trosien said. “So this is kinda like getting the call to coach Alabama football for me.” 

The Lakers travel to the Eagles Ice Center to take on Michigan Tech in their season opener on Saturday, Oct. 6. The puck is set to drop at 8 p.m.