Ira Turunen, a member of the University of Minnesota-Duluth women's hockey support staff the past four years, has been named an interim assistant coach for the three-time defending NCAA champion Bulldogs.

A native of Finland, Turunen served as the sports information contact for women's hockey from 1999-2003. During that time she also completed here Master's degree in communication from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

Prior to arriving at UMD, Turunen played hockey at both the Division I (Finnish League) and Division II level for nine years (1989-98), serving as a team captain three of those seasons and doubling as an assistant coach from 1993-96. Turunen, who has worked numerous hockey camps for boys and girls during the past decade, earned her Coaching Certificate (Level II) from the Finish Ice Hockey Association.

Turunen, who speaks three languages, has been active for many years in the international women's hockey circles (she worked at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games). Her responsibilities with the Bulldogs will include recruiting in the United States and Europe as well as overseeing the club's scouting and video efforts.

Turunen's will officially begin in her new role on August 25.