University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Steve Freeman completed his 29th season as the UW-River Falls men's hockey head coach in 2024-25, solidifying his legacy as the all-time winningest head coach in both WIAC and UWRF men's hockey history with 467 career wins.

A 14-time Conference Coach of the Year (NCHA 1999, 2003, WIAC 1998, 2003-08, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2020-21), Freeman has coached the Falcons to 14 conference regular season championships (’98, ’99, ’01, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07 NCHA & WIAC, ’08, ’10, ’12, ’14, ’15, ’16), including the 2015 WIAC Tournament Championship and five NCAA Tournament appearances (’98, ’01, ’03, ’04, ’07).

The Falcons have found success on and off the ice under Coach Freeman. During his time, UWRF has collected 19 All-America honors, two Conference Players of the Year, three Academic All-Americans, and seven WIAC Scholar-Athletes. Under Freeman, over 100 student-athletes have moved on to play professional hockey.

Before becoming the UWRF head coach in 1996-97, Freeman served as an assistant for seven seasons, including the 1994 National Championship team. During his time as an assistant, he also helped guide the Falcons to NCAA Frozen Four appearances in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 2001.

A 2016 inductee of the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame, Freeman began his coaching career at the high school level, leading Stevens Point High School to several Wisconsin state tournament appearances and four conference championships, followed by St. Mary’s Spring High School in which his team won a state championship. Prior to UWRF, Freeman was the head coach and general manager with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League. He’s also coached select teams at the international level.

The New Brighton, Minn., native played hockey through the high school, Junior A, and college levels. He has been involved with hockey symposiums and clinics both in the United States and internationally and has often been a guest speaker/instructor at U.S.A. Hockey clinics.

Freeman has a master’s degree in education and professional development and is a senior instructor in the Health and Human Performance department. He and wife Deb reside in River Falls.