Sept. 5 - The University of Manitoba and Bison Sports would like to announce that Terry Matheson has been named the new Head Coach of the Bison Women's hockey program. The University's athletic department had originally hired Arnie Caplan as the Head Coach one month ago, but Caplan found full time employment at Concordia College in Minnesota, prompting the search for a new person to take over the position.

Matheson is no stranger to amateur hockey in this province, having been an associate coach with the Portage Terriers of the MJHL(1996-'97), the Head Coach of Team Western (1996), the Head Coach of the Eastman Selects of the AAA Manitoba Midget League (1993-'95) and the Head Coach of the Winnipeg Warriors also of the AAA Manitoba Midget League (1990-'93).

Prior to 1990, Matheson coached numerous Bantam, Midget and Junior B teams throughout Winnipeg, winning several provincial titles. Most recently, Matheson was the Head Coach and GM of the Melfort Mustangs of the SJHL from 1997-2000, where he led the Mustangs to a second place finish in the North Division in 1997-'98 and a first place finish in the division in 1998-'99.

Presently, Matheson is a player scout for the Tri-City Americans of the WHL and he has also been an evaluator at a number of Canadian National Team evaluation camps over the past 5 years, as well as a guest coach with the National team in 1995 versus the Norwegian National Team.

Locally, Matheson also served as chair of the Player Development Committee for the MAHA from 1992-1997. Matheson has completed his Level 4 in the National Coaches Certification Program and also holds an Advanced 2 Certification from the Canadian Hockey Association.

Matheson has never coached women's hockey, but feels that it is no different than men's, noting that his philosophy is that hockey players are hockey players and teaching fundamentals and skills is a constant no matter what level or gender one is coaching. He is excited to be working with athletes that are committed to a high level of achievement on and off the ice and he is also looking forward to working in a structured, professional environment at the University. Matheson is married to wife Wendy, has one daughter Abby, and is employed at Moore Industries here in Winnipeg.