Saint Michael’s looks local in naming DiGiulian new men’s coach

Damian DiGiulian has been hired as Saint Michael’s men’s head coach, becoming just the third bench boss since the program went to varsity status prior to the 1982-83 season.

During the past three seasons, DiGiulian was the head coach and director of hockey for the Rice Memorial High School prep program in South Burlington.

“I am both excited and humbled to be named the next head coach of Saint Michael’s men’s ice hockey and I want to thank all of the people involved in the search process,” said DiGiulian in a statement. “I would also like to thank all of the people at Rice Memorial for the wonderful time I spent there and wish them nothing best the best of luck as they move forward with Rice prep hockey.”

DiGiulian has also been an assistant coach at Middlebury and at the Division I level with Vermont.

“We are going to concentrate on becoming excellent in all phases of development under our watch,” added DiGiulian. “Most importantly, anyone hoping to play in this program must strive to be great students and community members first and that will in turn make us a special hockey program. We will respect each other, the values of Saint Michael’s and the game of hockey and will be leaders in the community, on and off the ice.”

A 1993 Hamilton College graduate, DiGiulian played professionally in 1993-94 with the Louisville Icehawks of the East Coast Hockey League and the Tulsa Oilers of the Central Hockey League, as well as coaching the Vancouver-based Furokawa Hockey Club of Japan in 1994-95.