SIOUX CITY, IA (Blugolds.com) – Former University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's hockey assistant coach Taylor G. Ward is moving up the coaching ranks, landing a position with the Sioux City Muskateers of the USHL, the nation's premier junior hockey league.

Prior to being named to the Muskateer staff, Ward was coaching for the Coulee Region Chill of the NAHL.

Ward was a national champion for the Blugold men's hockey team in 2012-13 and later joined the coaching staff for the Blugold women. Ward and women's head coach Erik Strand led UW-Eau Claire to their best season in program history, winning a school-record 18 games and coaching eight Blugolds to all-conference honors in 2016-17.

The Pittsburgh, PA native will join former Blugold men's hockey coach Luke Strand who is currently the head coach of the Muskateers.

"Coach Taylor grew tremendously as both a person and a coach during his time as a Blugold," said Erik Strand. "His dedication to helping our players develop and grow as both people and hockey players is going to be a perfect fit for Coach Luke and the players he will be working with and developing in Sioux City. I am really excited to watch Coach Taylor continue to develop as a coach and take the next step in his career."