UTICA, NY - After helping guide the team to two straight NCAA National Semifinals, including an NCAA Division III National Championship appearance this past season, Utica men's hockey Assistant Coach Nick Therrien has been promoted to the role of Associate Head Coach.
 

Therrien's title upgrade comes as a result of sustained success, with the Utica alumnus helping elevate the team's national presence throughout the past seven years since his hiring in the summer of 2018. Therrien's mark has been defined by a 151-25-11 record over his seven years since joining the staff as assistant coach, with the team picking up seven consecutive UCHC Regular Season Championships, four UCHC Tournament Championships, and five consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament including back-to-back Frozen Four appearances.
 

Therrien's success with the Pioneers also extends back to his playing days, as Utica's former starting goaltender helped the program reach its first-ever NCAA Division III Tournament Appearance in 2013, which also became its first-ever journey to the Division III Frozen Four during that same tournament run.

Coach Therrien will look to guide next year's team alongside Coach Heenan on another deep NCAA Tournament run, hoping to reach a third-straight National Semifinal, which is slated to be held at the Adirondack Bank Center in 2026.

The Pioneers will hit the ice in a little less than 70 days, meeting Morrisville State in an exhibition on October 18th to kick off the new campaign. The season will start in earnest on Friday, October 31st as the team welcomes western powerhouse Adrian College for a Friday-Saturday two-game set to begin the regular season.

Check out this story for information on all of the Pioneer home games scheduled for this upcoming season: Utica Men's Hockey Home Schedule Preview