On August 11, 2025, Park University-Gilbert Director of Athletics Angelique Claussen has announced the hiring of Chris Erickson as the next head coach of the Buccaneer ice hockey program. Erickson brings over 40 years of hockey experience to the job.
“I am excited to bring Coach Erickson into the fold,” said Claussen. “His experience with player development at the youth, high school and junior levels will be invaluable in continuing to build the foundation of this program.”
Prior to Park, Erickson was the Director of Hockey to the ADHL Bucks Hockey Club which operates out of the Mesa Community Ice Center. The Buccaneers have practiced and played their games at the CIC in their first two seasons.
As the Director of Hockey for the Bucks Hockey Club, he was in charge of youth development and skills programming while also overseeing camps, team development and player growth. He also mentored the coaching staff and supported overall program structure.
For the previous 23 years, he has been the owner/operator of Erickson Hockey which designed and led skill development clinics and camps for all age levels in Minnesota and Arizona,
In addition, Erickson has been been a talent evaluator; scouting for the New Mexico Renegades (Tier III Junior A) and Granite City Lumberacks (NA3HL).
Among his prior coaching jobs, he has been a youth coach since 1989 in Minnesota and Arizona and a girl’s high school varsity coach for 21 years in Minnesota.
In his youth hockey coaching role he mentored young players in four different youth hockey clubs through the years including the DYHA Junior Sun Devils after moving to Arizona.
In the high school ranks, Erickson won coach of the year twice in Minnesota and led Mound Westonka High School to its first state tournament appearance in the 2012-13 season.
Erickson is a USA Hockey Level 4 Certified Coach, an advanced 16/17 evaluator by Minnesota Hockey and a Reebok High Performance Program Evaluator in Minneasota.
“I would like to thank Angelique Clauseen and the Park Gilbert hiring committee for entrusting me with their hockey program,” said Erickson “I am excited for this unique opportunity and will hit the ground running to continue to build a program people will be excited to watch.”
