With the National Hockey League in a lockout this season, it's not just the players who have extra free time.
Philadelphia Flyers head coach Ken Hitchcock has the joined the coaching staff for Princeton men's hockey as an interim assistant, according to an announcement Monday from the athletic department.
New Tiger head coach Guy Gadowsky phoned Hitchcock this fall to talk hockey when the Flyers coach offered to help out.
No other details of the arrangement were released.
Gadowsky and Hitchcock bring fresh faces to a program sorely in need of a new beginning. Princeton has not had a winning season since it went 20-12-2 in 1998-1999 and finished last season with a dismal 5-24-2 record, the team's lowest win total since going 5-17-4 in 1978-1979.
That poor showing was the final straw for former coach Len Quesnelle '88, who was dismissed after last season. Enter Gadowsky from Alaska-Fairbanks and now the added bonus of a professional coach with a gaudy list of accolades.
Hitchcock — like Gadowsky, a native of Edmonton — is widely considered one of the best coaches in hockey. Under his leadership, Philadelphia went 40-21-15-6 last season, good for first place in the Atlantic Division and the No. 3 seed in the playoffs.
Before the Flyers, Hitchcock coached in Dallas for five seasons, taking the Stars to the playoffs each year and winning the Stanley Cup in 1998-1999.
Most recently Hitchcock coached the Canadian national team to a championship at the World Cup of Hockey this summer.
Read More
What’s an offseason? Jackson Green and Jay Mentink on being multi-sport athletes at Princeton
Doug SchwartzPrinceton sophomores Jackson Green and Jay Mentink embrace the challenge of playing two Division I sports while tackling Ivy League academics head-on.
Princeton sophomores Jackson Green and Jay Mentink embrace the challenge of playing two Division I sports while tackling Ivy League academics head-on.
No. 3 men’s lacrosse routs No. 14 Towson 22–12, Mackesy breaks career goals record
Hayk YengibaryanWith the win, the Tigers advance to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time in 2022. Princeton will take on No. 5 Syracuse in Hempstead, N.Y., next weekend for a spot in the final four.
With the win, the Tigers advance to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time in 2022. Princeton will take on No. 5 Syracuse in Hempstead, N.Y., next weekend for a spot in the final four.
Senior Coulter Mackesy, Pace Billings ’24, and Sam English ’23 drafted to Premier Lacrosse League
Hayk YengibaryanThe PLL, founded in 2018 by brothers Mike and Paul Rabil, is North America’s professional lacrosse league. The league currently features eight teams that compete in a tour-based format, traveling to different cities each weekend throughout the summer season.
The PLL, founded in 2018 by brothers Mike and Paul Rabil, is North America’s professional lacrosse league. The league currently features eight teams that compete in a tour-based format, traveling to different cities each weekend throughout the summer season.