USHL: Former Badger Dan Boeser to take over Chicago Steel

UPDATE 2/12/15 3:30 PM: The Chicago Steel have confirmed on the team's website that Dan Boeser will take over head coaching duties with the departure of Scott McConnell.

The Chicago Steel are moving in a new direction. Head coach and general manager Scott McConnell is no longer in charge of running the club. McConnell's departure from the Steel was said to be mutual according to people close to the team. The players were informed of the decision before Wednesday's practice.

McConnell, who is the grandson of "Badger Bob" Johnson, was in his fifth season as head coach of the Steel. McConnell took over on an interim basis for the final 17 games of the 2010-11 season, and has been in charge ever since. McConnell, who played four seasons of college hockey for George Gwozdecky at Denver, had a career record of 100-124-16 in Chicago.

Taking over for McConnell is Dan Boeser, who is in his first season as an assistant coach for the Steel. Boeser came to Chicago after spending the previous two seasons as an assistant coach at Burnsville high school in Minnesota. In addition to his coaching duties, Boeser has also spent time as a scout for an NHL certified hockey agency.

Boeser played at Wisconsin from 2000-04 and was a tri-captain his senior season. Boeser's tenure included two seasons under current Badgers' head coach Mike Eaves, who took over the program before the 2002-03 season.

A cancer survivor, Boeser played five seasons of professional hockey after leaving Wisconsin with stops in the UHL, IHL, ECHL and AHL.

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