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Minnetonka names former Gopher captain Tracy Cassano as next coach

By Star Tribune, 04/30/19, 5:45PM CDT

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She has coached for 16 years, including the last six as head coach at Burnsville.


Tracy Cassano, new Minnetonka girls' hockey coach. (Submitted photo)

Minnetonka has named former Gopher hockey captain Tracy Cassano as its girls' hockey coach.

Cassano spent the last six seasons as the Burnsville girls' hockey coach. She replaces Eric Johnson, who retired after 15 seasons as the Skippers' coach. 

Cassano was expected to meet briefly with Minnetonka players and parents after school on Tuesday.

Cassano previously coached at Chaska/Chanhassen for two years and Rosemount for five years. She played for the Gophers from 2000-2002.

Cassano was also head coach for Minnesota Advanced 16 Final 54 from 2008-2011. She has been a USA Hockey regional scout, has coached at USA Hockey National Camp, was head coach for Minnetonka Hockey Advance 15’s camp and was head evaluation coordinator for USA/Minnesota Hockey.

In 2014 Cassano was named the Minnesota Girls’ Hockey State AA coach of the year.

She led her team to the state tournament and to section championships twice. Playing for the Gophers, Cassano served as captain from 2000-2002 and led her team to become national champions in 2000.

“Tracy Cassano is an exceptional coach and a true leader,” Minnetonka activities director Ted Schultz said in a statement released Monday. “She has demonstrated expertise and knowledge on the ice while nurturing positive relationship off the ice with her student athletes.”

Under Johnson, the Skippers won three state titles, finished as runner-up once and had one third place finish.

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