GRAND FORKS, N.D. ? University of North Dakota Director of Athletics Brian Faison announced today that head women's hockey coach Brian Idalski has signed a two-year contract extension that will run through the 2011-12 season. Idalski's current contract runs through the upcoming 2009-10 season.

Just two seasons after inheriting a program that went 3-31-2 overall and 0-27-1 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA), Idalski led the Fighting Sioux to a school-record nine conference victories in 2008-09 and a tie for fifth place in the WCHA standings, UND's best finish since joining the league prior to the 2004-05 season.

UND finished the 2008-09 campaign with 13 overall victories, the most by the Sioux in five years and a nine-win improvement from Idalski's first season behind the bench.

In November, the Sioux appeared in the NCAA Division I women's hockey national poll for the first time in program history.

“We are very pleased with the significant steps that Coach Idalski has taken toward making UND women's hockey one of the premier programs in the country,” said Faison.

“His goals and philosophies are the same as mine: to make UND women's hockey a WCHA and national championship contender.”

Under the direction of Idalski, several individual program records were also established in 2008-09. Most notably, senior forward Melissa Jaques become UND's all-time leader in goals (36), assists (42) and points (78). Additionally, sophomore Kelly Lewis tied the UND single-season record for points by a defenseman (19) and forward Alyssa Wiebe tied the school record for points by a freshman (28).

In the classroom, UND placed eight student-athletes on the WCHA All-Academic team, while senior forward Casie Hanson and junior goalie Brittany Kirkham were each repeat selections as WCHA Scholar Athletes.

“I'm happy to be able to continue to implement our plan to create one of the best programs in all of college hockey,” said Idalski. “I think it points to the fact that we have it going in the right direction and that we've made significant strides in the last two years.”

The improvements on the ice in 2008-09 were reflected in the stands, where UND's average home attendance nearly doubled from the previous season and total attendance increased by 40 percent. UND ranked seventh nationally in attendance in 2008-09.

Added Idalski: “I've always appreciated the support we get and the shared vision of what we want for our program. You're only as successful as the administration around you and we are blessed to have good people who are very supportive of what we do.”