Thirteen years after calling it a career as a University of Minnesota Duluth defenseman, Brett Larson is returning to his alma mater to take on a new role -- assistant men's hockey coach.

\"To coach at the same school where I once played is a dream come true for me. I've been thinking about this ever since I began playing professionally,\" said the 35-year old Larson, whose appointment officially begins June 23. \"I believe it's an exciting time to be involved with UMD hockey. This program is so close to making that next step and I want to be a part of that.\"

A Duluth native and 1991 graduate of Denfeld High School, Larson skated a regular shift for the Bulldogs for four seasons, racking up 24 goals and 43 assists for 67 points in 133 games. He captained the Bulldogs during his senior year in 1994-95 when he attained Western Collegiate Hockey Association All-Academic Team recognition for a third straight time and also landed the team's Community Service Award. Larson enjoyed a breakout season the previous winter when he finished with 28 points and nine power play goals en route to being named UMD's Most Improved Player. That same year he set a record for fastest two power play goals (12 seconds vs. Northern Michigan University) which still stands. As a sophomore, Larson and the Bulldogs captured the WCHA regular season title and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA playoffs.

Larson, an 11th round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in the 1990 National Hockey League draft, went on to skate 12 years in the professional ranks, including two (1990-2001) as a player-coach with the San Diego Gulls of the now-defunct West Coast Hockey League. He also did time with the Colonial Hockey League's Madison Monsters, the East Coast Hockey League's Louisville Riverfrogs, the International Hockey League's Utah Grizzlies, Las Vegas Thunder and Long Beach Ice Dogs in addition to spending another five years in Denmark, Germany and England. He wrapped up his playing days in 2006-07 as a player/assistant coach for the Florida Seals of the Southern Professional Hockey League before that Orlando-based franchise folded at midseason. This spring, Larson coached Team RBK (AAA selects) in the Twin Cities metro area.

\"Brett's a real good fit for UMD hockey right now,\" said Bulldog head coach Scott Sandelin. \"He's a quality, character guy who communicates well and will bring passion, enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to our program. As a player, Brett was known for his strong work ethic and playing with a lot of drive. That's something I'm sure he continue to have as a coach. Most of all, he'll be a great representative of UMD.\"

Larson succeeds Lee Davidson, who resigned this past April for personal reasons after six seasons of assistant coaching duty with the Bulldogs.