The Austin Bruins made a change in their coaching staff as they hired Keeagan Asmundson as the team’s new assistant coach and goaltending coach after former goaltending coach Nick Lehr accepted the position of Goalie Director with the Bejing Junior Kings in Bejing, China recently.

Asmundson, 28, breaks into the coaching ranks after a long career playing professionally in the SPHL, ECHL, AHL, and overseas. He played for the Bruins during their first season and he was in net for the first ever win for the Bruins.

“I’m very excited to start my coaching career in Austin,” said Asmundson. “I was able to develop here as a player and I’m excited to develop as a coach while also helping advance our players to the next level.”

Following his time in juniors, Asmundson went on to play four years of NCAA Division-I hockey at Canisius College and earned the AHA Goaltender of the Year Award in 2014-15.

After his collegiate career, the Mayville, N.D., native spent four seasons in the professional ranks with 94 games played across various levels and was part of the Buffalo Sabres prospect camp in 2015. Asmundson would go on to win back-to-back championships in two different leagues starting in 2016-17 while competing in Germany, followed by a President’s Cup Championship in the SPHL with the Huntsville Havoc in 2017-18.

“We are very excited to have Keegan come back to Austin and be our full-time assistant and goalie coach”, said Bruins head coach Steve Howard. “Keegan brings a ton of playing experience and it helps add that player perspective to our staff. I know the players are going to gravitate towards Keegan and Kenny [Orlando]. Our staff understands how fortunate we are to replace one former Bruins goaltender in Nick Lehr with another in Keegan, and we can’t wait to get started.”

Prior to joining the Bruins in a coaching capacity, Lehr played three seasons at the University of Minnesota where he graduated in 2018 with a degree in Business and Marketing Education. The Roseville, MN, native is the most decorated goaltender in Austin Bruins history having played three years in a Bruins uniform between 2012 and 2014. He currently holds team records in appearances, minutes, fewest goals allowed and wins in a season. He was also awarded to the NAHL All Central team for his efforts during the 2013-14 campaign.

In his new role of goalie director, Lehr will help develop goaltender talent in China as part of a global initiative set forth by the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings. The program is the first of any kind for an NHL team in China and aims to create interest and excitement about the sport of hockey to China’s youth.

“It is an opportunity I felt I couldn’t pass up,” said Lehr. “Obviously, I want to thank the town of Austin and the Bruins organization for supporting me and I will definitely be keeping tabs on the B’s as this year goes on! Good luck and Go Bruins.”