2024-25: D3whky

[Scott_TG]

Kevin Dessart has left the HC role at Lawrence to take the Associate HC role at Division I UVM. The assistant coach at Lawrence is his daughter Julia and the release from Lawrence doesn't say if she's staying in Appleton as the interim or full replacement.

[Dit Clapper]

Kevin Dessart has left the HC role at Lawrence to take the Associate HC role at Division I UVM. The assistant coach at Lawrence is his daughter Julia and the release from Lawrence doesn't say if she's staying in Appleton as the interim or full replacement.

I fully believe that Lawrence will make Julia the permanent replacement. Seems to be well liked by the administration and provides a seamless transition from her father.

[Scott_TG]

Plattsburgh and St. Michael's have canceled theit exhibition game, which has been fairly regular over the years. Haven't heard if its a schedule conflict or something deeper. Trinity is coming to town for the exhibition instead and I think its an upgrade...

No word on who the new assistant is, rumor is that Blanch not wanting to coach anymore may have truth to it. I've heard whispers of names but nothing concrete...

No press release yet but the Staff Directory did update to show that Emma Killeen '22 is the new assistant coach

[Dit Clapper]

I can't recall seeing a late summer run on coaches like this before. While I will never fault a coach for jumping on an opportunity to further their coaching career, I feel badly for the players and recruits in these respective programs.

[Dit Clapper]

I trust Adrian will be able to reload, no matter the hire. I could see some sort of interim hire for this year, given their veteran leadership returning. Next year, this should be a hot, hot, job. I'd be quite nervous if I'm Saint Mary's.

Could you potentially see a scenario in which Chad would jump right now, if offered? I guess a better question would be, could you see the Adrian admin making that type of move at this juncture?

[Scott_TG]

Could you potentially see a scenario in which Chad would jump right now, if offered? I guess a better question would be, could you see the Adrian admin making that type of move at this juncture?

I'd be surprised at this point. If Chad wanted to come back he could have. They forced Lomanto out to hire him the first time they could have done the same to Skelly.

[shelfit]

I'd be surprised at this point. If Chad wanted to come back he could have. They forced Lomanto out to hire him the first time they could have done the same to Skelly.

Isn't that the guy who left a trail of verbal abuse at Adrian and then at RIT until RIT fired him and his former player and assistant coach after only a season or two? I doubt Adrian would want him back. From his point of view, why would he want to trade in the short easy road trips of the MIAC for the long hateful road trips Adrian has to make year after year. What was the story with MSOE, btw? I don't remember hearing what happened there.

[Ditra]

Kevin Dessart has left the HC role at Lawrence to take the Associate HC role at Division I UVM. The assistant coach at Lawrence is his daughter Julia and the release from Lawrence doesn't say if she's staying in Appleton as the interim or full replacement.

I believe Lawrence had 7 wins during his 3 years as HC. A quick look at who those were against isn't to impressive. All good for moving up but it's hard to see how the work done at Lawrence warrants a promotion to D I. Just my opinion.

[Scott_TG]

Isn't that the guy who left a trail of verbal abuse at Adrian and then at RIT until RIT fired him and his former player and assistant coach after only a season or two? I doubt Adrian would want him back. From his point of view, why would he want to trade in the short easy road trips of the MIAC for the long hateful road trips Adrian has to make year after year. What was the story with MSOE, btw? I don't remember hearing what happened there.

Not sure what happened at MSOE that they pushed back the launch to this year (hopefully) but what you said about Adrian and RIT was true. Adrian clearly didn't have an issue with his behavior as they never asked him to leave over it so until I hear otherwise I'm not shutting the door entirely. But I do think it highly unlikely that either party is interested in a reunion.

[shelfit]

I believe Lawrence had 7 wins during his 3 years as HC. A quick look at who those were against isn't to impressive. All good for moving up but it's hard to see how the work done at Lawrence warrants a promotion to D I. Just my opinion.

I couldn't agree more. This is easily the worst/weakest D1 hiring decision I've seen in a very long time, possibly ever. He played college club hockey. He coached women's college club hockey. Then he coached at Lawrence, so no D1 background whatsoever and not even a decent D3 coaching background. I have to wonder what in the world the Vermont coach saw in him honestly. He also brought his daughter to tag along for the coaching ride at Lawrence and made her his full-time assistant and she was a college club player with zero coaching experience, but Lawrence was ok with that?! And now she'll probably inherit the head coaching job, again with zero experience as a head coach. I guess that explains why Lawrence is where they're at in the college hockey world. I have to shake my head at some of these hiring decisions in our game. Would similar decisions with inexperienced coaches happen on the men's side???! It proves to me that most athletic directors have no clue about women's hockey or they just don't care. Either way our game suffers from it.

[JDHack51]

I couldn't agree more. This is easily the worst/weakest D1 hiring decision I've seen in a very long time, possibly ever. He played college club hockey. He coached women's college club hockey. Then he coached at Lawrence, so no D1 background whatsoever and not even a decent D3 coaching background. I have to wonder what in the world the Vermont coach saw in him honestly. He also brought his daughter to tag along for the coaching ride at Lawrence and made her his full-time assistant and she was a college club player with zero coaching experience, but Lawrence was ok with that?! And now she'll probably inherit the head coaching job, again with zero experience as a head coach. I guess that explains why Lawrence is where they're at in the college hockey world. I have to shake my head at some of these hiring decisions in our game. Would similar decisions with inexperienced coaches happen on the men's side???! It proves to me that most athletic directors have no clue about women's hockey or they just don't care. Either way our game suffers from it.

Not fully disputing what you've wrote, as I can't say I know the coach. However, Lawrence was a start up hockey program only a few years ago and most take a while to get established. Appleton WI is hardly a hotbed for hockey, so looking at the record of any start up program perhaps isn't the best gauge in ability in that time frame. Especially when you're only there for two years, one year recruiting class. To coach is to teach, there's a lot of great players who shouldn't coach their own kids team let alone college players so while playing D1 helps, it shouldn't be a prerequisite. Knowing the game, being a great communicator and teacher goes well past personal ability on the ice.

Off his bio, he spent 11 years in the NHL in media relations, so most likely a great communicator and appears to have plenty of hockey involvement, love for the game, and connections. Maybe he was simply the best qualified candidate who applied, thus not necessarily making him the "weakest hiring decision".

Do you know anyone on the Lawrence team and their experience or do you just judge everything based on record alone? I only know one player/family, but they thought he was great and thought the team improved throughout the year and were optimistic about this year. Again, you could be right, but I'd give benefit of the doubt to anyone trying to move up the ranks and coach women's hockey until they prove otherwise. Limiting the hiring of coaches only to a certain established path would be limiting the game and holding it back.

[SHockey98]

Per NAHockeyRumors on Twitter/X, Davis is returning to Adrian.

Just like in most sports, don't matter what kind of baggage you have, time heals (almost) all wounds.... for winners. The guy wins, and that's why he's getting another shot.

[Scott_TG]

Per NAHockeyRumors on Twitter/X, Davis is returning to Adrian.

Just like in most sports, don't matter what kind of baggage you have, time heals (almost) all wounds.... for winners. The guy wins, and that's why he's getting another shot.

I never said never but I admit I'm surprised they're reuniting...maybe the money is better? What's the cost of living of Adrian, MI vs Winona, MN?

[Scott_TG]

Two rumored moves made official this morning:

Chad Davis has been named as the HC at Adrian, beginning his second stint with the team.

Plattsburgh has named Emma Killeen (Plattsburgh '23) as their new assistant coach, replacing Julia Duquette.

SJF has hinted at upcoming news and I'm guessing they are announcing who will be Scott McDonald's assistant as well.

[LongGame]

NESCAC schedules starting to drop:

https://athletics.hamilton.edu/sport...ockey/schedule

https://athletics.middlebury.edu/spo...ockey/schedule