Fryklund named BSU women's hockey coach

BEMIDJI—When Amber Fryklund graduated from Hibbing High School after a stellar hockey career, she took her talents to Bemidji State University.

From there, Fryklund took her hockey knowledge and put it to good use at the high school level, but now, Fryklund has come full circle.

Fryklund, after being an assistant coach for the Beavers, has now become the head women’s hockey coach at Bemidji State University.

For Fryklund, this is something she always wanted to do.

“It’s a special thing to coach where you played,” Fryklund said. “I missed coaching, so it was an easy decision to make after spending last season coaching as well. I’m excited about this opportunity.”

When Fryklund got done playing at Bemidji, she was a teacher and coach for the Duluth Northern Stars for six years, then she became the Proctor/Hermantown for two years.

She went back to Bemidji State in 2011 and was an assistant coach there until 2020.

Fryklund left the coaching profession to become an assistant professor in the Human Performance and Health Department at the school, while at the same time, earning her doctorate degree in 2019.

“I was working with many of the faculty, and that was a good experience,” Fryklund said.

Fryklun was out of coaching for three years, then she was asked back last year, which she was more than happy to return.

That doesn’t mean Fryklund wasn’t involved in hockey while she was away.

“I was doing things with Minnesota Hockey and other things,” Fryklund said. “I was still involved in hockey in a variety of coaching ways. I love being around the game of hockey.

“I love being around the student-athletes and helping them grow and develop.”

As an assistant coach, Fryklund worked under Steve Sertich and Jim Scanlon.

She picked up a lot more knowledge working with them.

“Steve was a legendary person and coach,” Fryklund said. “Jim kept me on staff, and I enjoyed working with him. He allowed me to do a lot with the program. He trusted me. I had the fortune to work with good people over that time.”

After Scanlon stepped down, Fryklund was open to the possibility of becoming the head coach.

“Right away, it was something I wanted to do, so when the opportunity presented itself, it was something I wanted to do. I was interested in it.”

Nothing is guaranteed, but Fryklund had a couple of things in her favor.

“It’s never 100-percent certainty with anyone, but I’m super grateful to have this opportunity,” Fryklund said. “To be somewhere for so long, and to be surrounded by so many good people. Our players are great. I’m excited to get back and serve the athletic department. What’s nice about it is that our players know me.

“There’s familiarity with it. It should be a smooth transition for the players and program.”

That’s why Fryklund took the route she did to get into this situation.

“When I started coaching at the high-school level, coaching in college was a possibility,” she said. “I had to do whatever role I could do. Experiencing that different level helped me grow, so when the time came, I was prepared for that opportunity.”

Now that Fryklund is a head coach, she won’t be teaching anymore. She, along with her assistant coaches, Sarah Bobrowski and Emma Sobieck, will be on the recruiting trail, looking for the talented women that will fill the Bemidji State roster.

“Recruiting is the No. 1 thing,” Fryklund said. “That will be important in my role, but I’ve had the opportunity to do that for the last 10 years. We’ve all had a hand in the recruiting experience.

“Everyone takes on those responsibilities. I’ve surrounded myself with people that understand the landscape. That is the key.”

Fryklund isn’t taking this opportunity for granted.

“It’s surreal,” she said. “When you think about and reflect on it, hockey has given me so much. To be able to be a women’s college coach, to serve student-athletes, to see young females live their dream, that’s cool. I get to see those aspirations come to life.”