MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. — University of St. Thomas women's hockey coach and 2022 Olympics coach Joel Johnson resigned after an alleged "incident" that occurred Friday night following a 4-1 loss to Bemidji State.
School officials confirmed the resignation but didn't provide any details for the abrupt decision. However, St. Thomas athletic director Phil Esten issued a statement saying Johnson was being investigated "after concerns were brought to our attention" following an incident Friday.
“While I cannot comment on the specifics of the incident itself, I can confirm we immediately started an investigation after concerns were brought to our attention following Friday night’s game," Esten said in a statement. "Coach Johnson did not coach the team on Saturday night and resigned on Tuesday. We hold all our coaches to the highest standards consistent with university values and convictions, and prioritize the experience and well-being of our student-athletes.”
Assistant coach Bethany Brausen has been named the team's interim coach, according to university officials.
Prior to arriving at St. Thomas, Johnson was an associate coach for the University of Minnesota women's hockey team, and was the head coach for the U.S. women's national under-18 hockey team from 2015 to 2018. He was later named an assistant to the U.S. women's national team in March 2019.
Johnson joined the Tommies in June 2021, and then a month later was named the head coach of the U.S. Olympic women's hockey team, which captured a silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Games.
