Vadnais Heights, MN – May 3lth – Gentry Academy is excited to announce the hiring of Jim Jensen as the new head coach for the girls’ hockey team. Jensen brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success in both coaching and player development.
Jim Jensen’s extensive coaching resume spans over a decade, showcasing his commitment to fostering talent at various levels of hockey. Most recently, he has served with the Centennial Youth Hockey Association from 2022 to 2024, where he took on multiple roles, including Head and Assistant Coach for Mite A, U8 Girls, and Cougar Cubs teams.
Jensen’s dedication to youth hockey is further demonstrated through his operation of JETS LLC (Jensen’s Elite Training Services), offering private skills development, personal training, and video analysis/breakdown services since 2018.
His ability to provide individualized training has helped numerous players elevate their game to new heights.
In the 2018-2019 season, Jensen held dual roles at the junior hockey level as Head Coach and General Manager of the Rum River Mallards (USPHL Premier), where he led the team with strategic oversight and a hands-on approach. Prior to that, he gained experience at the college level serving as Assistant Coach and Head of Recruiting at Concordia University Wisconsin (NCAA Div. III) during the 2017-2018 season, where his efforts in recruiting and player development were pivotal in assembling a competitive roster and contributing to a record breaking season.
Jensen’s introduction to coaching at the high school level came in 2016-2017 with Brainerd High School (MSHSL), as Head Coach of the Brainerd Warriors Junior Varsity team. This would follow two seasons coaching at the junior level with the Minnesota Flying Aces (NA3HL) from 2014-2016, where
Jensen further honed his coaching acumen fulfilling the roles of Head Coach and General Manager, as well as gaining experience while serving as a Head Coach and private lesson instructor at the Heartland Hockey Camp in Deerwood, MN, during the summers of 2013 and 2014.
In addition to his coaching credentials Jensen has an impressive playing background. He started his junior hockey career in the USHL with the Waterloo BlackHawks, playing three full seasons and being named team captain. He would then make the jump to college hockey, playing first at the University of Minnesota Duluth (NCAA Div. I) and then finishing up at the University of Wisconsin River Falls (NCAA Div. III). Following his collegiate career, Jensen played in over 200+ professional minor league games over 6 seasons, featuring games in the ECHL, SPHL, FPHL and FHL, and winning the FHL Championship in 2012 with the New Jersey Outlaws.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jim Jensen to our hockey program,” said Athletic Director Morgan Underwood. “His extensive coaching experience and dedication to player development align perfectly with our goals here at Gentry.
Jensen’s knowledge of the game and passion for Gentry
Academy are very impressive and something our community will benefit from immensely. We are confident that under his leadership our girls’ hockey program will develop and our athletes will reach their goals.”
Jim Jensen is eager to bring his expertise and passion for the game to Gentry Academy. “I am honored to join Gentry
Academy as the Head Coach of the girls’ hockey team,” said
Jensen. “I look forward to developing this program and working with these talented athletes to help them achieve their full potential both on and off the ice.”
Jensen lives in Centerville with his wife Ashley and four children, Jimmy (10), Josie (9), Jemma (6) and Jackson (4).
Please help us welcome Coach Jensen to our community.
GO STARS!