Former Gophers and NHL goalie Robb Stauber will coach the U.S. women's hockey team at the world championships, which start March 31 in Plymouth, Mich.

Stauber, who played in 62 NHL games over four seasons with two teams, has been involved with the women's national team since 2010 and was the goaltenders coach for the team that won the silver medal at the Sochi Games in 2014.

"I'm excited to have this opportunity and continue what we've all been working toward with a talented group of players," Stauber said. "It's a great honor to represent USA Hockey in this capacity and defend our gold medal."

Also on the coaching staff are associate coach Brett Strot, assistant coaches Paul Mara and Chris Tamer and goaltending coach Mike Richter. The players will be announced Tuesday.

The U.S. is the three-time defending world champion. But it has not won a gold medal in the Winter Games since 1998, the first year the sport was in the Olympics.

Three MIAC teams in hockey nationals

The Augsburg men and St. Thomas women, winners of MIAC championships, earned spots in the eight-team NCAA Division III hockey tournaments.

The Auggies will open play March 18 at St. Norbert, while the Tommies women play a quarterfinal Saturday at Plattsburgh (N.Y.) State.

Women's at-large selection Gustavus will play Saturday at Wisconsin-River Falls.

Etc.

• Alex Focke, a men's basketball assistant at Hamlime for the past four seasons, was named head coach of the Pipers women team.

• Justin Doeden's third-place finish (8-under-par 208) led the Gophers men's golf team to 11th place (9 over par) at Auburn's 19-team Tiger Invitational. Doeden was five shots behind medalist Thomas Eldridge of North Carolina-Wilmington. No. 23 Auburn won the team title.