University of Wisconsin-River Falls

UWRF head men's hockey coach Steve Freeman completed his 30th season behind the bench in 2025-26, cementing his legacy as the winningest coach in both program and WIAC men’s hockey history with 481 career victories.

A 14-time Conference Coach of the Year honoree — earning NCHA Coach of the Year recognition in 1999 and 2003 and WIAC Coach of the Year honors in 1998, 2003-08, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2020-21 — Freeman has guided the Falcons to 14 conference regular season championships and the 2015 WIAC Tournament title. Under his leadership, UWRF has made five NCAA Tournament appearances (1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, and 2007).

Most recently, the Falcons advanced to the WIAC Tournament Championship game in both 2025 and 2026. The 2025-26 squad matched a program record with seven All-WIAC selections, highlighted by Keenan Ingram becoming the first player in WIAC history to earn both Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors in the same season.

Freeman’s impact has extended well beyond team success. During his tenure, UWRF student-athletes have earned 20 All-America honors, three conference players of the year awards, three Academic All-America selections, and seven WIAC Scholar-Athlete honors. More than 100 Falcons have gone on to play professional hockey under his guidance.

Before taking over as head coach in 1996-97, Freeman spent seven seasons as an assistant coach at UWRF, helping lead the Falcons to the 1994 NCAA National Championship and NCAA Frozen Four appearances in 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996.

Freeman was inducted into the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame in 2016. Prior to UWRF, he enjoyed successful coaching stints at the high school and junior levels, leading Stevens Point Area Senior High to multiple state tournament appearances and four conference championships before guiding St. Mary’s Springs to a Wisconsin state title. Freeman also served as head coach and general manager of the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League and has coached select teams internationally.

A native of New Brighton, Minn., Freeman played hockey at the high school, Junior A, and collegiate levels. He has remained active in the sport through coaching symposiums, clinics, and speaking engagements throughout the United States and internationally, including work with USA Hockey development programs.

Freeman holds a master’s degree in education and professional development and serves as a senior instructor in UWRF’s Health and Human Performance Department. He and his wife, Deb, reside in River Falls.