Ex-Daniel Webster, Salve Regina women’s coach Fimiani named new coach at Castleton

Castleton announced Monday the hiring of DJ Fimiani as the head coach of the Spartans’ women’s team.

Fimiani comes to Castleton after building the women’s program at Daniel Webster from scratch starting in April 2014. He was able to recruit young women from all over North America for the inaugural season of 2015-16, bringing in approximately 18 percent of Daniel Webster’s female enrollment in one year.

“I am very excited to have DJ on board as our new women’s hockey coach,” said Castleton associate dean for athletics and recreation Deanna Tyson in a statement. “His past playing experience and coaching ability will bring a new excitement into our program. I look forward to watching our women compete at the highest level this season.”

Fimiani also ran the men’s club team in 2014-15 while building the women’s squad and the strength and conditioning programs for both teams throughout the year.

“I am very excited to be joining the Castleton University family,” added Fimiani. “I want to especially thank Deanna Tyson, Scott Dikeman and President Wolk for the opportunity to help build on the Castleton traditions and to help bring the program to the next level.”

From October 2011 through April 2014, Fimiani served as the assistant coach for the men’s team at Salve Regina and prior to that, played at Norwich University, serving as an assistant captain for the 2010 Division III national champion Cadets. In 102 career games at Norwich, he scored 25 goals and collected 61 assists for 86 total points as he helped Norwich win four straight ECAC East regular-season titles and ECAC East tournament championships in 2008 and 2010.

He went on to play one season in the Southern Professional Hockey League for the Louisiana Ice Gators and the Fayetteville Fireantz.

Since May 2001, Fimiani has been a senior instructor at the Select Skills Hockey Camp/NS Vipers Boot Camp and has also coached at the Elite Hockey Camp in Northfield, Vt.