[1] Loen attended the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire from 1991 and joined the ice hockey program.
After his freshman campaign, he became one of the top scorers for the Blugolds and helped to lead the team in scoring as a senior.
He spent two years in the position before replacing Luke Strand as head coach.
[3] The Blugolds stunned tournament favorite St. Norbert in the quarter final round and then won the National Championship.
The following year, Wisconsin–Eau Claire was a founding member of the WIAC's ice hockey division.