on october 7, 1998, former miami university of ohio associate coach bob motzko was named the inaugural head coach. motzko had previously led the defunct north iowa huskies to the 1989 junior a championship and was an assistant to herb brooks at st. cloud state university during the 1986–87 season. for motzko, the plan was to "win as fast as possible" and recruit high-caliber players: "you do not win in this league without veterans and our first year we might not have many veterans. but i want to get at it right away." motzko would recruit several key players that played an instrumental role in the success that was to come, including forwards j.b. bittner, dave iannazzo, chad larose, thomas vanek, james massen, marty sertich and joe jensen; defenseman jamie mattie; and goaltenders zack sikich and david bowen.