UWSP Men's Ice Hockey's assistant coach Anthony Noreen has accepted a job as the top assistant with the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League (USHL).

“As sad as I am to lose Anthony because I'm losing a great coach and a great friend, I completely understand and support his decision to accept this position," said UW-Stevens Point head coach Wil Nichol. "I have said since day one that he is going to be a head coach one day. He is the most talented assistant coach that I've ever had in my nine years as a head coach. It is a big step up for him in his coaching career and I couldn't be happier for him."

Noreen recently completed his third season with the Pointer men's hockey team as an assistant coach and this past season was his first as the Pointers top assistant.  Noreen played as a defenseman for the Pointers from 2003-07 and was an All-NCHA Academic All-American his last two seasons.  He was also chosen as a team captain his junior and senior seasons.

“The USHL is the top junior league in the United States," said Nichol. "This season, 230 of their players have accepted Division I scholarships and they have 143 alumni currently playing in the NHL. He is going to work with the best players under the age of 20, he will be in constant contact with Division I coaches and NHL scouts, and he is going to continue to develop as a hockey coach and human being.”