Tom Fiorentino helped Hobart to the 2023 NCAA D-III national championship (photo: Hobart Athletics).
Bentley has announced the hiring of Tom Fiorentino as an assistant coach on the men’s hockey staff.
Fiorentino spent the previous five seasons as an assistant coach at Hobart from 2018 to 2023, helping lead the Statesmen to the 2023 NCAA Division III national championship and an overall record of 29-2-0.
“Tom has established himself as a quality young coach with a great work ethic,” Bentley head coach Andy Jones said in a statement. “His thorough plan and detailed knowledge of the recruiting landscape was impressive in the interview process,” Jones said. “He has been mentored by one of college hockey’s top coaches and he played an integral role in helping Hobart win the Division III national championship this past season. Tom has a passion for development and our players will benefit greatly from his teaching skills. We are thrilled to welcome Tom and his wife Shae to Waltham.”
Overall, Fiorentino helped guide Hobart to a record of 90-21-7 and four berths in the NCAA tournament since 2018.
Fiorentino was a four-year forward with the Hobart hockey team (2010-14). He served as a captain in his senior season and earned the program’s Holden Award for sportsmanship, character and leadership. He graduated from Hobart with a degree in environmental studies and an English minor.
He went on to a professional career in France and the SPHL, where he played for two seasons in each league.
Matt Pinchevsky has been named the next head coach of Southern Maine men’s hockey team.
Pinchevsky, who will officially begin his duties on Aug. 21, replaces Ed Harding, who left the program in June after eight seasons (2015-23) as the head coach after stepping into an interim role halfway through the 2014-15 season.
“I’m very excited to announce the appointment of Matt Pinchevsky as our men’s hockey coach,” said Southern Maine director of athletics Al Bean in a statement. “Matt has a truly outstanding hockey background, is greatly respected in the hockey community by athletes and colleagues alike, and brings contagious energy, positivity, and excitement to the position. I’m confident he will be a tremendous addition to our staff and a fantastic leader for the young men in our program. I’m looking forward to the next era of Husky hockey under Matt’s leadership.”
Pinchevsky spent the past four years with the NAHL’s Maine Nordiques, serving as associate head coach and director of player development from their 2019 inception until partway through the 2021-22 season when he pivoted into the head coach role. During the 2022-23 season, Pinchevsky guided the Nordiques to 33 regular-season wins and an exhibition win against the USA National Under-17 Team.
“I would like to sincerely thank the University of Southern Maine and its athletic department for this incredible opportunity,” said Pinchevsky. “Al and the selection committee have handled everything with such professionalism and detail. I am honored to have been selected and look forward to the bright future ahead for Husky hockey. We will create a culture with competitive drive to instill growth in the classroom, on our ice, and throughout the community. The character and caliber of our student-athletes will represent USM with pride. The opportunity to be surrounded by an athletic department that gives everything they have for its programs and this institution is truly special to be a part of. My family and I are very excited and grateful to be joining our new team.”
Prior to his time with the Nordiques, Pinchevsky served as the director of skill development and associate head coach at the Seacoast Performance Academy from 2018 to 2019 and spent two seasons with the Seacoast Spartans program from 2016 to 2018. Additionally, Pinchevsky was the head coach and general manager of the Portland Jr. Pirates U18 team during the 2015-16 season. He also coached the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights in 2014-15, helping the team to a division championship.
Pinchevsky’s 15-year coaching career also includes helping build and establish the Selects Academy at the South Kent School (2011-2014), serving as head coach of several East Coast Selects teams (2011-2018), and a head coaching stint within the Florida Alliance AAA program (2008-2012).
Pinchevsky graduated from Curry in 2007 with his bachelor’s degree in communications and was a member of the hockey team.
In addition to his coaching experience, Pinchevsky has taken part in professional development opportunities through programs such as the National Hockey League Coaches’ Association (NHLCA) BIPOC Mentorship and the NHL Bruins Diversity and Inclusion Scouting Mentorship.
Fusco spent the last four years as head coach and general manager of the EHL’s Team Maryland. He also served as assistant coach for the NAHL’s Maryland Black Bears.
He also served as an assistant at ACHA Division II Scranton for two seasons.
This past season, FPU advanced to the Northeast-10 semifinals for just the third time in program history, finishing 11-20-2.
Billy Hengen has experience coaching in the Minnesota prep ranks (photo: provided by Billy Hengen).
St. Cloud State has announced the addition of Billy Hengen to the women’s hockey team’s coaching staff as an assistant coach.
Hengen has previous experience with head coaching stints at Gentry Academy, the Minnesota Blades, Providence Academy and the Academy of Holy Angels.
He is also a 2006 St. Cloud State graduate.
“We’re extremely excited to add someone with Billy’s experience and tradition of success to our program,” said SCSU head coach Brian Idalski in a statement. “Billy brings a great passion for not only hockey, but St. Cloud State hockey. He is a welcome addition to our staff and will be a phenomenal resource of knowledge and skill development for our athletes.”
Hengen graduated in 2006 following a four-year playing career under longtime Huskies coach Bob Motzko, closing his career with 79 points on 24 goals and 55 assists across 119 games. He led the Huskies in assists and points per game over his final three seasons while earning WCHA all-academic honors in 2005-06.
Garrett Hendrickson, who has served on the coaching staff for Augsburg men’s hockey teams that have qualified for the NCAA Division III national tournament each of the last two seasons, has been named the program’s new head coach.
Hendrickson served as a full-time assistant coach for the last two seasons under former head coach Greg “Boom” May, who left Augsburg in July to accept a position as associate head coach for the Minnesota’s women’s hockey team.
“I’m really honored to be the next head coach at Augsburg. I don’t take it lightly, knowing what a historic program it is and what the past head coaches have done to get the program where it is today,” Hendrickson said in a news release. “I’m very excited to continue to build on what we have accomplished the past two seasons. I believe we have a very special group that can continue to have success. This group knows what it takes to win. They know that if we stick to our process, continue to grow as a team and get better every day, the success will come and we will have a shot at the end.”
Hendrickson becomes just the sixth head coach in the modern history of Augsburg’s men’s hockey program (1959-present), joining a fraternity that includes Ed Saugestad (1959-96), Mark Wick (interim head coach in 1990-91, co-head coach with Saugestad from 1993-95), Mike Schwartz (1996-2006), Chris Brown (2006-2021) and May (2021-23).
“Garrett has been a part of a championship coaching staff the last two years and has proven his effectiveness, not only in leading the hockey program, but also in being a part of the Augsburg athletics family,” said Augsburg athletic director Jeff Swenson. “He’s an excellent and tireless recruiter, a skilled coach, and I believe he will be a great fit for Augsburg.”
As part of May’s coaching staff, Hendrickson helped guide the Auggies to the MIAC regular-season championship and the NCAA Division III national semifinals in the 2021-22 season, and the MIAC playoff title and a national playoff berth in 2022-23. Augsburg was 41-15-2 overall and 24-7-1 in MIAC play the last two seasons.
“The last two seasons I had the pleasure of working with ‘Boom,’ we believed in a lot of the same things when it comes to hockey and team culture. I learned a ton from him, Hendrickson said. “I plan to continue on what we’ve done thus far. But with every head coach, there comes some change. But overall, I believe for this group of players that it will be a seamless transition. I can’t wait to get started.”
A native of Virginia, Minn., Hendrickson played collegiately as a forward at Concordia (Minn.), earning all-MIAC honorable mention honors in 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2016-17, while earning MIAC all-rookie team honors in 2013-14. An alternate captain his senior year, Hendrickson played in 100 career games for the Cobbers, scoring 26 goals with 45 assists for 71 points.
Hendrickson was a communications major at Concordia.
Having too many players on the ice when a goal is scored on the ensuing play has been removed from the list of plays that can be reviewed by video in NCAA men’s and women’s hockey for the 2023-24 season.
The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved this proposal during a video conference call Thursday.
According to the NCAA announcement, NCAA Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Rules Committee members made the recommendation due to significant confusion with several parts of the rule last season, namely the threshold of a “gained advantage.”
“Despite attempted education during the 2022-23 season, rules committee members think the rule is better managed by the on-ice officials and should not be part of the instant-replay criteria,” reads the NCAA announcement. “In many cases, this rule led to longer reviews and more incorrect outcomes.”
The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Rules Committee has issued a clarification to the video replay criteria to make clear the scope of a review.
This is intended to reduce confusion regarding reviews and what is allowed to be reviewed when the process is initiated.
For example, when officials are reviewing a goal that is scored and a team challenges for an offside infraction, officials are to review the offside play but not the entire play.
Quinnipiac and UConn will once again be part of the CT Ice tournament next January (photo: UConn Athletics).
In partnership with the four Division I men’s hockey teams – Connecticut, Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart and Yale, the CT Ice tournament will return for the fourth season in 2023-24 and continue through the 2025-26 season.
The fourth edition of the annual tournament runs Jan. 26-27, 2024 at the XL Center in Hartford and will be hosted by UConn while being broadcast by SNY.
Sacred Heart will then host the tournament in the 2024-25 season followed by Yale for the 2025-26 season.
The four teams will square off in a two-round, four-game tournament with semi-final games beginning on Friday and the championship round taking place on Saturday. The reigning national champion Bobcats return to defend their title as CT Ice champions. The Bobcats have won back-to-back titles, including last year’s championship on their home ice at M&T Bank Arena in Hamden, Conn.
All four games will be broadcast in the tri-state area live on SNY with more broadcast information, including game times and streaming platforms, at a future date.
Ticket information will be announced at a future date as well. Fans with questions about tickets can contact each school’s respective box office.
St. Lawrence has announced the hiring of assistant coach Cam Doomany to complete the Skating Saints coaching staff for the 2023-24 season.
Doomany joins the team after spending two seasons as the goaltending coach at Bentley.
“We are extremely excited to have Cam joining our staff,” said SLU head coach Brent Brekke in a statement. “Cam is an energetic coach with a very good hockey mind. His background in working with goaltenders and the knowledge of the position is outstanding and we can’t wait to get started.”
Doomany has spent the last eight years as the director of goaltending development and marketing manager for Stop It Goaltending in Boston, and in that time, he has worked with many collegiate and professional athletes.
He has also worked as a goaltending evaluator for USA Hockey since 2017 and has been a goaltending coach with Phillips Andover Academy, the Valley Jr. Warriors, and the North Shore Hockey Academy during his career.
“It’s an honor to be welcomed into the St. Lawrence hockey family,” said Doomany. “I am excited for the opportunity to work alongside such an ambitious staff. In meeting coach Brekke, Hill, and Aikens, it’s obvious how hard they work to build a winning culture every day on and off the ice. I look forward to contributing to the culture that the team has established.”
Doomany holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Merrimack.
Emily West was part of a national championship team at Minnesota (photo: Minnesota Athletics).
Colorado College has announced that Emily West has joined the program as the director of hockey operations.
West, a Colorado Springs native, returns to her hometown after serving as an assistant coach for the Ohio State women’s hockey program for three seasons. She helped lead the Buckeyes to their first NCAA Division I title in 2022.
“Emily is joining our staff with an incredible resume both as a player and a coach,” CC coach Kris Mayotte said in a statement. “She was a part of a National Championship staff at Ohio State as well as a captain at the University of Minnesota. She has a passion for development, but also has the experience of winning at the highest level. We are very open about our desire to be a championship program, and adding Emily allows to take another step toward our goal.”
Prior to joining the Ohio State staff, West served as the American Development Model manager for female hockey at USA Hockey, a position she held from 2017 to 2019. She worked with local hockey associations and programs nationwide to support age-appropriate training, competition and long-term athlete development.
West’s extensive hockey-playing background includes participation in multiple USA Hockey Women’s National Team camps while attending Minnesota, where she was a two-time captain of the Gophers women’s hockey team and a Patty Kazmaier Award top-10 finalist in 2010.
West helped the Gophers win two conference titles and a NCAA Division I national championship in 2012, finishing her playing career with 158 points (82 goals, 76 assists) in 154 games.
She graduated from Minnesota in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in biology, society and environment.
Abby Ostrom has been named the new head coach of the Suffolk women’s hockey team.
Ostrom takes over as the second-ever head coach for the Rams, replacing Taylor Wasylk, who was named head coach at Lindenwood after leading Suffolk to its first CCC crown and NCAA appearance in program history.
Ostrom had been working on Boston University’s staff in various roles since Sept. 2019, most recently as assistant coach.
“The search committee was very impressed with Abby’s vision for the program,” Suffolk director of athletics Cary McConnell said in a statement. “I was specifically excited about her enthusiasm for Suffolk and her excitement and passion for what this challenge holds for her. Her experience at both the Division I and Division III levels have her well positioned to take the Suffolk women’s ice hockey program to the next level.”
“First and foremost, I would like to thank director of athletics Cary (McConnell), associate athletic director Adam Skaggs, and the Suffolk University athletic department for trusting me to take over this young, successful program,” Ostrom added. “I want to thank Taylor (Wasylk) for her continued guidance throughout this transition, as well as my family, friends, network of mentors and colleagues who supported me throughout this process.
“I am extremely excited to join the Suffolk University community as the next head coach of women’s hockey. Coach Wasylk did a tremendous job putting the program on the map within the CCC and NCAA by recruiting tremendous student-athletes. I am excited to work with them and take the program to the next level.”
Across town at Boston University, Ostrom served as director of operations from 2019 before being elevated to assistant coach in 2022. Over four years with the Terriers, she was responsible for all aspects of team video in addition to the day-to-day operations of the program.
BU was not Ostrom’s first stint as an assistant coach in college hockey, as she served in that same role over four seasons at her alma mater, Trinity, from 2015 to 2019.
Ostrom’s coaching resume began as the director of men’s hockey operations and assistant softball coach at Skidmore in 2014-15. She also gained knowledge as a coaching intern with the USA Hockey National Development Camp in Minnesota for the U15 and U18 squads in the summers of 2015 and 2016, respectively, before working as a skills coach for the U18 group at the 2017 camp.
Additionally, Ostrom graduated from the WeCoach NCAA Women’s Coaches academy in the summer of 2019.
A 2014 graduate of Trinity with a bachelor’s degree in American studies and a master’s in public policy and law, Ostrom was a two-sport star, lettering in hockey and softball.
On the ice, she totaled 21 goals and 17 assists for 38 points over 80 games. Her name is etched second in the Trinity record book for game-winning goals (4) in a single season. She helped the Bantams qualify for the NESCAC women’s hockey championship tournament each winter.
Sara Murray had a winning record behind the bench at Saint Mary’s (photo: Chris Ebert).
Saint Mary’s announced Tuesday that Sarah Murray has stepped down as the head women’s hockey coach to accept a position as the head girls hockey coach at her high school alma mater, Shattuck-St. Mary’s.
“We are happy for Sarah and she will be greatly missed,” said SMU athletic director Brian Sisson said in a statement. “We are extremely grateful for all that she has done and given to this program these past four-plus years. Sarah has helped elevate our women’s hockey program and, most importantly, has had a profound impact on our women’s hockey student-athletes. We look forward to finding our next leader of Cardinal women’s hockey.”
Murray spent four seasons at the helm for the Cardinals, compiling a 25-30-7 overall record, including two trips to the MIAC playoffs. The Cardinals enjoyed their best season under Murray in 2021-22, when they finished 13-10-2 — the most wins since the 2003-04 campaign.
“Making the decision to leave Saint Mary’s was extremely difficult,” said Murray, who won four national titles as a player — two while at Shattuck-St. Mary’s and two at Minnesota Duluth — and coached the Unified Korean National Team at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. “I’m forever grateful to Brian Sisson and Saint Mary’s University for giving me the opportunity to start my college coaching career at such an amazing place. I couldn’t have asked for a better team or staff.
“It was a great four years packed with memorable moments, and I know this season will be another incredible one — I cannot wait to see what the returners and incoming freshmen can do. And while it is truly heartbreaking to leave, I’m excited to start the next chapter of my coaching career at Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep School this upcoming season.”
A search for Murray’s replacement will begin immediately.
Cam Clarke has been named an assistant coach with the Norwich men’s hockey team.
Clarke has also been named Norwich’s head men’s golf coach.
“It is an honor to be chosen as the next head men’s golf coach in addition to being named an assistant men’s hockey coach,” said Clarke in a statement. “Thank you to President Anarumo, director of athletics Ed Hockenbury, head men’s hockey coach Cam Ellsworth, and members of the search committee. I am looking forward to building on the successful restart of the golf team and helping to continue the consistent success of the nationally ranked Cadet hockey program.”
“Cam Clarke is an excellent fit as both our head men’s golf coach and assistant men’s hockey coach,” added Hockenbury. “He was a very successful athlete in both golf and hockey, having played hockey in college and professionally, and he continues play golf competitively today. Cam’s values align with ours in Norwich athletics, and we are fortunate to have him join our coaching staff. Our student-athletes in both sports will certainly benefit from his experience and we look forward to seeing his impact both on the course and the ice.”
Clarke was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the fifth round (136th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft. He then went on to play at Ferris State where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance. After leaving Ferris State, Clarke played three seasons in the ECHL for the Wichita Thunder and Toledo Walleye.
“My family and I are excited to be joining Norwich University and having the opportunity to be both the head men’s golf coach as well as working with the Cadet men’s hockey program,” said Clarke.
Amber Fryklund has previously played and coached at Bemidji State (photo: BSU Photo Services).
After a three-year hiatus, Amber Fryklund has rejoined the Bemidji State women’s hockey coaching staff and will return as associate head coach.
Fryklund rejoins the Beavers after a career in teaching and served as an assistant professor of Human Performance, Sport and Health at Bemidji State following her leave of the program after the 2019-20 season. Before her career change, Fryklund spent nine seasons on the BSU women’s coaching staff and the last four as associate head coach.
“We are very excited to have Coach Fryklund rejoin our program,” said Bemidji State head coach Jim Scanlan in a statement. “Amber was a big part of some of our programs most successful seasons and has always been a tremendous ambassador for our program, our university and our community as well. I am excited our student-athletes will have a tremendous role model and mentor in Coach Fryklund and she is someone who will bring experience and passion to our group.”
Fryklund established herself as one of the greatest players to play for the Bemidji State women’s hockey program and in just three seasons and 100 games, she is still the program’s all-time leading scorer with 122 points on 59 goals and 63 assists. She was the first BSU women’s player to break the 100-point barrier and owns two of the top three single-season point totals in program history, including a BSU-record 49-point 2000-01 season.
A two-time all-WCHA second team selection, she was the first BSU player to earn all-WCHA honors in 2001-02 and led the BSU women’s hockey team to back-to-back appearances in the WCHA tournament (2002 and 2003).
She was inducted into the Bemidji State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021.
A prominent figure not only in Bemidji State women’s hockey history, Fryklund is also known as a pioneer of girls hockey in Minnesota. She was a Ms. Minnesota Hockey finalist in her prep days at Hibbing High School, co-head coach of the Duluth Northern Stars from 2003 to 2009 and an assistant coach for the Proctor-Hermantown-Marshall Mirage during the 2009-2011 seasons.
In addition, she has worked hockey camps across the state of Minnesota and works with the Minnesota Hockey High Performance Girls 15 Development program. She has also spent time working with USA Hockey development camps and has served on the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Rules Committee.
Fryklund received her Bachelor of Science degree in physical education teaching K-12 from Bemidji State in 2003 and her master’s degree in educational leadership from Minnesota Duluth in 2007. She received her doctorate degree in Higher Education Administration from St. Cloud State in 2019.
Steve Jennings has an extensive background in the NAHL (photo: El Paso Rhinos).
Steve Jennings has been named an assistant hockey coach at Air Force.
A 1991 Naval Academy graduate, Jennings brings a wealth of hockey knowledge to the Falcons.
“Steve is a great addition to our staff,” Air Force head coach Frank Serratore said in a statement. “He is a terrific hockey man with a great eye for talent. His experience as both a coach and scout is invaluable and strengthens our staff in every area.”
Jennings comes to the Academy from the NAHL’s El Paso Rhinos where he served as the general manager since January. While in El Paso, Jennings was responsible for all aspects of player personnel management and worked extensively with scouting, recruiting and building current and future rosters.
Prior to El Paso, Jennings spent the 2021-22 season with the NAHL’s Aberdeen Wings as the head coach and director of hockey operations. From 2016 to 2021, Jennings was the director of player personnel for the Wings. During his time in Aberdeen, Jennings led the construction of teams that earned three Robertson Cup tournament berths and one Robertson Cup championship title (2019).
Before Aberdeen, Jennings served as the director of player personnel for the NAHL’s Topeka Roadrunners from 2007 to 2016 and was a scout for the NAHL’s Santa Fe Roadrunners from 2004 to 2007. He has been heavily involved in scouting, coaching and developing players in the NAHL since 2004.
Following his graduation from the Naval Academy, Jennings served as the assistant coach at his alma mater for two seasons before completing his military service in 1996. He entered the corporate world in 1996 while simultaneously working for various hockey organizations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Texas, Georgia and Tennessee.
He also served as the assistant coach at Lehigh University from 1998 to 2002.
Chad Demers and Brandon Wildung have been added to the first Augustana coaching staff (photos: Fargo Force/Sioux Falls Stampede/USHL).
Augustana has announced the hiring of Chad Demers and Brandon Wildung as the team’s newest assistant coaches.
Demers and Wildung join the Vikings after spending time in the USHL.
Demers comes to Augustana after a successful 2022-23 season in the USHL as the associate head coach of the Fargo Force.
Before joining the Force, Demers made a trip back to his alma mater for the 2021-22 season with Air Force as the director of hockey operations.
With the Falcons from 2011 to 2015, Demers posted 48 goals and 78 assists for 126 points in 156 games.
“Chad has established himself as one of the top assistant coaches in the USHL,” Augustana head coach Garrett Raboin said. “His reputation as a tremendous teammate and teacher has led him to this opportunity and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to Sioux Falls.”
Wildung comes to the Vikings after spending the past two seasons with the Sioux Falls Stampede as their assistant and goaltending coach. He played four years (2014-18) as a goalie at Mercyhurst, going 50-40-10 with a 2.28 GAA, a .916 save percentage and six shutouts. Wildung added five assists as well.
Not shy to the area, Wildung also spent three seasons coaching the Sioux Falls Power AAA program and has spent his summers training players from the NHL and collegiate levels.
“Brandon Wildung has been heavily involved across all levels of hockey in the Sioux Falls community,” Raboin said. “He has separated himself through hard work and attention to detail. We’re fortunate to have him as part of our men’s hockey program and can’t wait for him to begin his college coaching career.”
Middlebury has announced the hiring of Jack Fitzgerald as the assistant men’s hockey coach.
Fitzgerald joins the program after spending the previous four seasons as an assistant men’s hockey coach at Amherst.
“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to be joining such a storied hockey program,” said Fitzgerald in a news release. “Middlebury is an amazing institution with great athletic programs and I am excited to leave my mark.”
“I’m very excited to welcome Jack to the Middlebury community and our program,” added Middlebury interim head coach Jack Ceglarski. “He will bring energy, passion and experience to our team that I know our players will enjoy having around. He has great knowledge about being a student-athlete in the NESCAC from his coaching and playing experiences at Amherst. I’m excited to have him as a part of our program.”
Prior to his time at Amherst, Fitzgerald worked for the Elite Hockey Program where he was both a coach and the assistant director of operations and marketing.
Fitzgerald was also a four-year letter winner on the Amherst men’s hockey team from 2015 to 2019. During his senior season, Fitzgerald was named captain of the Mammoths and helped lead the team to a NESCAC tournament final appearance while also earning NESCAC all-sportsmanship team honors.
Nate Guenin was a three-year captain for the Buckeyes (photo: Ohio State Athletics).
Nate Guenin, a former captain for the Ohio State men’s hockey team, is returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach.
Guenin played four years for the Buckeyes (2002-06) before an 11-year professional career that included more than 200 NHL appearances.
“I am thrilled to add Nate to our staff,” said Ohio State head coach Steve Rohlik in a statement. “His passion for this program and desire to teach and develop these young men will be infectious.”
Guenin was selected in the fourth round of the 2002 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers.
He skated the next four seasons at Ohio State, registering six goals, 47 assists and 53 points in 151 games. A 2005 second team all-CCHA selection, he served as team captain as a senior and was as an alternate captain as both a sophomore and junior. He was part of the 2004 CCHA tournament championship squad and three teams that reached the NCAA tournament.
“I thank God for having Coach Rohlik and JB [Bittner, assistant coach] bring me back to Ohio State,” Guenin said. “I am very excited about the opportunity to be a part of the development of our student-athletes, on and off the ice.”
The defenseman spent his entire professional career (2007-17) in the NHL and AHL. Guenin started his pro career in 2006-07, when he skated nine games with the Philadelphia Flyers and 68 with the AHL’s Philadelphia Phantoms. Over his career, he played in 205 NHL regular-season games, along with seven playoff contests, between the Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Anaheim Ducks and Colorado Avalanche.
Recently, Guenin earned his real estate license and has spent time coaching youth hockey in the Pittsburgh area.
Providence has announced the addition of Joe Palmer to the men’s hockey staff as an assistant coach.
Palmer spent the previous four seasons (2019-23) as a goaltending and video coach with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch.
Prior to Syracuse, Palmer spent 2015-19 as the director of hockey operations for the Cornell men’s hockey program and also served as an assistant/goaltending coach for Hamilton.
Palmer is the founder and primary instructor of Syracuse-based Palmer Goalie Systems, where he provides personal instruction and video analysis to more than 30 area goaltenders who compete at the AAA, prep school, junior and college levels.
As a player, Palmer was a two-time gold medalist with the United States at the IIHF Under-18 World Championship and was later named to the U.S. team at the World Junior Championship in 2008. Palmer played two seasons (2004-06) for the U.S. National Team Development Program and was selected in the fourth round of the 2006 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. He then went on to start 71 games for Ohio State over three seasons (2006-09) and was a three-time Big 10 all-academic team selection and earned CCHA all-rookie team honorable mention in 2007.
Palmer attended training camp with the Blackhawks in 2009 and 2010 and played professionally in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs, in the ECHL with the Toledo Walleye, Reading Royals, Gwinnett Gladiators and Florida Everblades, and the Quad City Mallards of the now-defunct Central Hockey League.
Palmer earned his bachelor of arts degree in communications at Ohio State University in 2013.
After nearly 10 months of exploration and discussions with stakeholders across the Union College community, the school’s mascot has been changed from Dutchmen/Dutchwomen to Garnet Chargers.
Garnet Chargers rose to the top of a field of 400-plus unique names offered by more than 1,100 Union students, alumni, faculty, and staff members.
“I am thrilled to introduce the Garnet Chargers as a powerful new symbol of the Union College experience and community,” said college president David R. Harris in a statement. “Our process was intentional and inclusive, and we took to heart all the input we received. This entire experience has served as a vivid reminder of just how fortunate we are to have such a passionate and engaged community.”
Garnet has been Union’s official color for more than 150 years. Chargers harkens to Schenectady’s legacy as a hub for electrical innovation and invention and is an apt metaphor for the high-energy, forward-looking Union experience.
“I am extremely proud to be a part of representing the Garnet Chargers,” said Union junior women’s hockey player Maren Friday in the announcement. “I believe this nickname truly speaks to the community’s drive and passion to make an impact. I think that Union is a community that does not balk at adversity and instead embraces it and pushes through. I know every student-athlete will bring the energy and drive to seamlessly integrate the nickname into our programs.”
Garnet Chargers was one of four finalists shared with the Union community in May, the culmination of a process in which approximately two-dozen “semifinalist” names were scored against a set of evaluation criteria established to help guide the selection process.
A Garnet Chargers mascot is being finalized and will be unveiled this fall, while signage featuring the Garnet Chargers “Bolt U” logo and wordmark will be showing up on campus in the coming weeks.
UMass Lowell has named Andy Boschetto as the new associate head coach of the River Hawks men’s hockey team.
Boschetto comes to Lowell after helping Augustana with the start of its men’s hockey program in 2022.
“Andy will be a welcome addition to our staff,” said UMass Lowell head coach Norm Bazin in a statement. “He checked several of the boxes we were looking to add. He has tremendous experience recruiting, a detailed pulse of the current college landscape and has head coaching experience. Those three characteristics along with his undeniable energy made him the right fit for our program at this time. He has worked at his craft over the past 15 years, and we are excited to welcome him, his wife Stacy and their young family to the University of Massachusetts Lowell.”
Before Augustana, Boschetto spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Colgate, helping the team to an 18-18-4 record in 2021-22 and an upset of No. 18 Cornell in the ECAC best-of-three quarterfinals. He also coached multiple All-ECAC players throughout his two seasons.
“I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity to come home and be a River Hawk,” said Boschetto. “I grew up watching UMass Lowell at the old Tulley Forum where I played high school hockey. My family and I are excited to help Coach Bazin and staff continue to build the winning culture they have cultivated. I’m excited to hunt championships and be a River Hawk.”
Before his time at Colgate, Boschetto spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Niagara after serving as the head coach at Salve Regina for seven seasons. He also spent time as an assistant coach at Curry.
Boschetto played two seasons at Hobart before heading to Suffolk for two seasons, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Operations at Strategic Management in 2005.
