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[email protected] Web: wcha.com / Twitter: @wcha_mhockey / IG: @wcha_mhockey / FB: facebook.com/wchamenshockey / Watch on FloHockey.tv FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NORTH DAKOTA’S GINO GASPARINI NAMED WCHA 1980s COACH OF THE DECADE PRESENTED BY ANDERSON’S PURE MAPLE SYRUP AND SPIRE CREDIT UNION Long-time UND bench boss led the Fighting Sioux to three NCAA titles during the decade BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Feb. 3, 2021 – Former North Dakota head coach Gino Gasparini has been named the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s Coach of the Decade for the 1980s, the WCHA announced Wednesday. The honor is presented by Anderson’s Pure Maple Syrup and SPIRE Credit Union. Gasparini, who coached at his alma mater from 1978-1994, led North Dakota to three national championships in the 1980s (1980, 1982, 1987) along with a runner-up finish in 1979 and a third-place finish in 1984. In WCHA play, Gasparini’s Fighting Sioux squads captured four regular-season titles and four postseason crowns during the decade. The Fort Frances, Ont., native compiled a 16-season record of 392-248-24 (.608) with North Dakota, including a 277-197-21 (.581) mark in the WCHA. His 392 career wins are the most in North Dakota’s storied history and stand as the sixth-most in WCHA history. His pupils included Hobey Baker winner Tony Hrkac and 17 All-Americans – among them James Patrick, Jon Casey, Scott Sandelin, Ed Belfour and Greg Johnson. He coached two WCHA MVPs (Phil Sykes -1981-82; Hrkac- 1986-87), two WCHA Scoring Champions (Hrkac – 1986-87; Steve Johnson – 1987-88) and five WCHA Goaltending Champions (Bob Iwabuchi – 1978-79, 1979-80; Casey – 1981-82, 1982-83; Belfour – 1986-87).