Inver Grove Heights Native Heading Back to Division I College Hockey

Eric Rud, an Inver Grove Heights native and 1991 graduate of Simley High School, is heading back to Division I college hockey.

Rud recently resigned as head coach and General Manager of the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) to take an assistant coaching position with Colorado College.

It's the third stint at the Colorado Springs school for Rud. He coached at Colorado College during the 2004-05 season and starred for the Tigers from 1993-97, where he was twice-named WCHA Defenseman of the Year. During his playing days Rud helped Colorado College to three consecutive WCHA titles and to the 1996 national championship game, where the Tigers lost in overtime. After graduating with a psychology degree and completing his college hockey career Rud played professional hockey for six teams from 1997-2002.

Rud spent one year in Green Bay after spending the previous five seasons at St. Cloud State University as an assistant coach. Rud enjoyed his time in Green Bay, where he led the Gamblers to a 41-15-4 record and to the USHL Clark Cup finals (the league championship series), but the opportunity to go back to Colorado was something he couldn't pass up, he said.

"Green Bay was a great experience," said Rud. "But Colorado is a great place from both a hockey perspective and for our family. We're excited to be heading back."

Rud and his wife Amy have three children, ages 11, 9 and 7. While Rud's long-term goal is to become a Division I head coach, he said stabilizing in one location is something he and his family are looking forward to.

Rud was cited by the Colorado College media relations department as a "rising star in the coaching fraternity" and someone head coach Scott Owens is excited to have back on staff.

“We are very excited that Eric is returning to Colorado College and joining our staff,” Owens said in a press release. “He brings great hockey knowledge and has a positive way of connecting with players. His track record here previously, combined with the experience and success he accumulated at St. Cloud and Green Bay, makes him a perfect addition to our staff.”

Rud grew up in IGH developing his skills spending his winter days and nights playing hockey with neighborhood kids at Skyview and Oakwood Park. Rud helped Simley reach the Section finals in 1989 as a sophomore, where the Spartans eventually lost to rival South Saint Paul in a game the St. Paul Pioneer Press dubbed as one of the top 10 Metro hockey games of all time. As a senior in 1991, Rud led Simley to the Section finals again, where this time the Spartans lost to St. Paul Johnson. Rud also played football and was a standout baseball player on the Spartans' 1991 St. Paul Suburban Conference championship team.

Through the years Rud has always been asked what he recommends young hockey players do to get better and maybe someday enjoy the hockey success Rud had during his career. His advice is simple.

"The best thing to do is to get out on the rink and skate and play with your buddies," said Rud. "We played all day long and all night long. Those were fun times. Anytime a parent asks me what to do, that's what I tell them to do—just let them be kids and play as much as possible."