On March 23, 2025, the University of Wisconsin Women’s Hockey team won their eighth national championship. All of them have occurred under the guidance of their legendary Head Coach Mark Johnson.

Here are five fast facts about Mark Johnson, the University of Wisconsin–Madison women’s hockey coach:

  1. Miracle on Ice Hero: Mark Johnson was a key player on the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, scoring two goals in the famous “Miracle on Ice” game against the Soviet Union, helping secure a gold medal. He led the team with 11 points in the tournament and was named MVP.
  2. Record-Breaking Coach: As head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team since 2002, Johnson has led the program to eight NCAA national championships (2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025), the most by any coach in NCAA Division I hockey history (men’s or women’s).
  3. Hockey Legacy: Johnson’s father, “Badger Bob” Johnson, was a legendary coach who led the UW men’s team to three national titles. Mark played under his dad, winning an NCAA championship in 1977 as a Badger, and later became the school’s all-time leading goal scorer.
  4. NHL Veteran: Before coaching, Johnson had a successful 11-year NHL career (1980–1990), playing 669 games for teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils, amassing 203 goals and 508 points.
  5. Milestone Maker: On October 13, 2023, Johnson became the first NCAA Division I women’s hockey coach to reach 600 wins, a testament to his longevity and success. As of March 24, 2025, his record stands at an impressive 630-119-53.