University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Ceci De Young
Larson Announces Updates to Men's Hockey Staff
4/7/2026 4:00:00 PM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS - University of Minnesota head men's hockey coach Brett Larson announced a majority of his coaching staff updates Tuesday for a group that will lead the program heading into the 2026-27 campaign.
"I'm really excited about the group we've put together," Larson said. "We've brought in an incredible staff that's respected across the game, outstanding at what they do, and hungry to get to work. There's a strong sense of purpose with this group and it will immediately benefit our program."
Coach Larson has added former Golden Gopher forward Cory Laylin to the role of assistant coach, while elevating Paul Martin into a full-time assistant coaching position. The Maroon and Gold also welcome in 21-year NHL veteran Matt Cullen as the program's new director of player development.
Ben Gordon will remain on campus for his ninth season as an assistant coach and director of operations Jacob LeRoy returns to serve the program in the same capacity for a sixth season. A director of goaltending development will also be added to Coach Larson's staff in the near future.
Assistant Coach Ben Gordon
Back for his ninth season in Dinkytown, Gordon leads the team's recruiting efforts and helped the Gophers reach five-straight NCAA Tournaments from 2021-25, while they captured three Big Ten regular-season titles and one tournament championship in that same stretch. A native of International Falls, Minn., he returned to campus after serving as associate head coach of the USHL's Chicago Steel. He previously worked with the 'U' as Director of Hockey Operations during the 2016-17 Big Ten championship season. A four-year letterwinner for the Maroon and Gold between 2004 and 2008, Gordon totaled 98 points in 148 games and helped the program win back-to-back WCHA regular-season titles and the 2007 playoff championship. After college, he played six professional seasons before moving into coaching full time.
Assistant Coach Cory Laylin
Laylin joins the staff at his alma mater heading into the 2026-27 season following a five-year stint as an assistant coach at St. Thomas. The Tommies increased their win total every season since making the jump to NCAA Division I competition in 2021-22, including their first-ever 20-win campaign in 2025-26, going 21-12-5 overall. Thanks to Laylin's guidance, St. Thomas finished second in the CCHA regular season before falling in the conference tournament title game last year. While skating at Minnesota, he posted 107 career points in 170 games from 1988-92 before playing 16 pro seasons. A native of St. Cloud, Minn., he has coached at nearly every level of hockey, working in the high school, college, juniors, professional, and international ranks since 2008.
Assistant Coach Paul Martin
Having spent the last six years with the Gophers, including the past three as the Director of Player Development, Martin was elevated into the role of assistant coach on Brett Larson's staff. He has helped the program win three B1G regular-season titles and a B1G Tournament championship since returning to campus in 2020-21. A native of Elk River, Minn., Martin was a three-year letter winner for Minnesota, recording 97 points (20 goals, 77 assists) in 127 career games, and won back-to-back NCAA national championships in 2002 and 2003. A second-round selection by the New Jersey Devils in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he went on to play 14 seasons in the NHL and reached the playoffs all 14 years.
Director of Player Development Matt Cullen
A three-time Stanley Cup champion, Cullen is taking on the role of Director of Player Development. He has spent the last seven seasons as a player development coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins and also helped Moorhead High School win an MSHSL Class AA state championship as an assistant coach in 2025. The Virginia, Minn., native totaled 86 points in 75 college hockey appearances during a two-year stint at St. Cloud State from 1995-97 and is one of two players in program history to have his number retired by the Huskies. Cullen went on to spend 21 seasons in the NHL (1997-2019), totaling 731 points across 1,516 games, and still ranks 23rd in NHL history for career appearances. He won Stanley Cups with Carolina (2006) and Pittsburgh (2016, 2017) and was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2024.
Director of Operations Jacob LeRoy
LeRoy enters his sixth season on the staff for the Gophers as the Director of Operations and provides a vital element as the team's video coordinator where he handles everything from film breakdown, scouting, and video sessions to in-game support and technical management. He also takes care of all logistical work relating to travel, meals, and day-to-day operations. The Dublin, Ohio, native expanded his repertoire this past season as he served as the video coach for USA Hockey at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.
"I'm really excited about the group we've put together," Larson said. "We've brought in an incredible staff that's respected across the game, outstanding at what they do, and hungry to get to work. There's a strong sense of purpose with this group and it will immediately benefit our program."
Coach Larson has added former Golden Gopher forward Cory Laylin to the role of assistant coach, while elevating Paul Martin into a full-time assistant coaching position. The Maroon and Gold also welcome in 21-year NHL veteran Matt Cullen as the program's new director of player development.
Ben Gordon will remain on campus for his ninth season as an assistant coach and director of operations Jacob LeRoy returns to serve the program in the same capacity for a sixth season. A director of goaltending development will also be added to Coach Larson's staff in the near future.
Assistant Coach Ben Gordon
Back for his ninth season in Dinkytown, Gordon leads the team's recruiting efforts and helped the Gophers reach five-straight NCAA Tournaments from 2021-25, while they captured three Big Ten regular-season titles and one tournament championship in that same stretch. A native of International Falls, Minn., he returned to campus after serving as associate head coach of the USHL's Chicago Steel. He previously worked with the 'U' as Director of Hockey Operations during the 2016-17 Big Ten championship season. A four-year letterwinner for the Maroon and Gold between 2004 and 2008, Gordon totaled 98 points in 148 games and helped the program win back-to-back WCHA regular-season titles and the 2007 playoff championship. After college, he played six professional seasons before moving into coaching full time.
Assistant Coach Cory Laylin
Laylin joins the staff at his alma mater heading into the 2026-27 season following a five-year stint as an assistant coach at St. Thomas. The Tommies increased their win total every season since making the jump to NCAA Division I competition in 2021-22, including their first-ever 20-win campaign in 2025-26, going 21-12-5 overall. Thanks to Laylin's guidance, St. Thomas finished second in the CCHA regular season before falling in the conference tournament title game last year. While skating at Minnesota, he posted 107 career points in 170 games from 1988-92 before playing 16 pro seasons. A native of St. Cloud, Minn., he has coached at nearly every level of hockey, working in the high school, college, juniors, professional, and international ranks since 2008.
Assistant Coach Paul Martin
Having spent the last six years with the Gophers, including the past three as the Director of Player Development, Martin was elevated into the role of assistant coach on Brett Larson's staff. He has helped the program win three B1G regular-season titles and a B1G Tournament championship since returning to campus in 2020-21. A native of Elk River, Minn., Martin was a three-year letter winner for Minnesota, recording 97 points (20 goals, 77 assists) in 127 career games, and won back-to-back NCAA national championships in 2002 and 2003. A second-round selection by the New Jersey Devils in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he went on to play 14 seasons in the NHL and reached the playoffs all 14 years.
Director of Player Development Matt Cullen
A three-time Stanley Cup champion, Cullen is taking on the role of Director of Player Development. He has spent the last seven seasons as a player development coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins and also helped Moorhead High School win an MSHSL Class AA state championship as an assistant coach in 2025. The Virginia, Minn., native totaled 86 points in 75 college hockey appearances during a two-year stint at St. Cloud State from 1995-97 and is one of two players in program history to have his number retired by the Huskies. Cullen went on to spend 21 seasons in the NHL (1997-2019), totaling 731 points across 1,516 games, and still ranks 23rd in NHL history for career appearances. He won Stanley Cups with Carolina (2006) and Pittsburgh (2016, 2017) and was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2024.
Director of Operations Jacob LeRoy
LeRoy enters his sixth season on the staff for the Gophers as the Director of Operations and provides a vital element as the team's video coordinator where he handles everything from film breakdown, scouting, and video sessions to in-game support and technical management. He also takes care of all logistical work relating to travel, meals, and day-to-day operations. The Dublin, Ohio, native expanded his repertoire this past season as he served as the video coach for USA Hockey at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.
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1976 Champions Honored
Monday, March 30
First Day with Brett Larson
Wednesday, March 25
Press Conference: Brett Larson Introduction
Tuesday, March 24