Keith Paulsen joined the Maverick men's hockey staff in May of 2023. He will be in his fourth season at Minnesota State in 2026-27. In the summer of 2026, Paulsen was named an Associate Head Coach for the Mavericks.
As Associate Head Coach, Paulsen will continue to play a critical role in player development, recruiting, special teams, and daily program operations.
During his time at Minnesota State, the Mavericks have compiled a 67-35-14 record during their tenure, capturing both the CCHA Regular Season Championship (MacNaughton Cup) and CCHA Mason Cup Championship in 2025 and 2026. The coaching staff has also guided Minnesota State to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.
With Paulsen on the staff, Minnesota State players have earned seven conference major awards, including Sam Morton (Forward of the Year, 2024; Player of the Year, 2024), Alex Tracy (Goaltender of the Year, 2025; Player of the Year, 2025), Rhett Pitlick (Forward of the Year, 2025), and Evan Murr (Defensive Player of the Year, 2025 and 2026). Tracy (2025) and Murr (2026) were also recognized as CCM/AHCA Second Team All-Americans.
Over the course of their tenure at Minnesota State, head coach Luke Strand, Director of Player Personnel Cory McCracken, and Paulsen have helped 24 Mavericks advance to professional hockey, further solidifying the program’s reputation for developing players on and off the ice.
Prior to arriving at Minnesota State, Paulsen served as the video coach for the AHL’s Iowa Wild from 2016-2023.
During his time with the Wild, Paulsen coordinated live in-game and post-game video analysis and breakdown. He also prepared scout video for opponent tendencies, video for team meetings and assisted with daily practice planning and implementation.
Paulsen was responsible for individual player video analysis as well as managing player meetings. In the 2020-21 season he assisted with planning and implementing the power play and penalty kill. Paulsen also assisted with on-ice individual skill development. The Wild won 226 games during Paulsen’s time with the organization.
Prior to his time with the Wild, Paulsen served as the assistant general manager and associate head coach with the Madison Capitols of the United States Hockey League from December 2013-May 2016.
In 2014, Paulsen was selected as an assistant coach with team USA World Junior A Challenge in Kindersley, Saskatchewan were the Americans defeated Denmark 3-2 in the gold medal game. Much like he his time in Madison, Paulsen oversaw the penalty kill for that team. Additionally, he assisted in the scouting of players and selection of the team roster
Paulsen was also on staff with the Sioux City Musketeers from July 2010-December 2013 and worked with Strand for a season during that stint. During Paulsen’s time in Sioux City, he was responsible for the penalty kill unit and was also in charge of the power play in 2013. His other responsibilities included directing the defensive corps for one season and the attacking line for two campaigns.
Paulsen also served as the head coach at Rice Lake High School in Rice Lake, Wisconsin from 2003-10.
Collegiately, Paulsen competed at UW-Eau Claire from 1996-2000 and was a four-year letter winner, where he played with Strand for one year.
Paulsen, and his wife, Maria, have two children, Kendall and Max.
