BROOKINGS – Breann Julius was announced as the head coach of the Brookings Rangers girls’ varsity squad. Joining her as assistant coach is Austin Koenig.

Julius is no stranger to Ranger hockey. She played for the Rangers for 14 years and was the assistant coach with the girls’ varsity program last year. Previously, she was the assistant coach for the Concordia College women’s team. In addition to coaching, Julius is a Level 3 USA Hockey Official Referee and was the first female in South Dakota to officiate an SDAHA state championship game.

Julius has a degree in exercise science and coaching, and is a certified personal trainer.

“The Ranger girls are going to reap many benefits having Breann at the helm. With her collegiate hockey success and her passion for the sport, I am eager to see her take our already successful girls’ team to a whole new level of play,” said Wendy Myer, president of Brookings Ice Skating Association. “I anticipate tremendous development in our players this season and beyond under her coaching direction.”

During her time as a Ranger, Julius helped her team win the SDAHA state hockey championship her senior year. She was an SDAHA All-State first team defensive player for three years and was selected to participate in the USA Hockey National Development Training Program for four years. She also participated in South Dakota Select Hockey and in numerous U.S. International and National hockey tournaments and showcases. Julius went on to play hockey for Quinnipiac College for two years and then at Concordia College for two years, where she assisted the team in their first NCAA Tournament appearance.

Koenig grew up in Brookings and played for the Rangers for 10 years. He went on to play baseball for St. Cloud State, where he graduated with a degree in health and physical education. While there, he spent a semester learning and developing his hockey knowledge with the St. Cloud State men’s and women’s coaching staff. He has coached youth baseball in Brookings for four years and is currently the physical education teacher at Hillcrest Elementary.

“BISA is excited to have Austin back in Brookings and helping with the Ranger program,” Myers said. “As a former player, Austin knows what it means to be a Brookings Ranger and I look forward to seeing him combine his coaching experience with the Ranger tradition. I’m looking forward to seeing the success this coaching team will bring to the program.”