St. Mary's Ryken (SMR) has announced the appointment of Nick Cotroneo as the new head coach for the girls' ice hockey team. Cotroneo, who served as the assistant coach during the 2023-24 season, steps into his new role with immediate effect.
Cotroneo, a native of Eagan, Minnesota, has a rich background in both playing and coaching hockey. He attended St. Thomas Academy for his high school education, earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame, and completed a graduate degree at Duquesne University. His nearly 40 years of experience in hockey, combined with his academic background, position him as a well-qualified leader for the SMR team.
After spending almost 13 years as a Naval Flight Officer, Cotroneo relocated to Maryland in 2015. Since then, he has been active in the local hockey scene, teaching skating and coaching at the Capital Clubhouse. His involvement in the community and dedication to the sport have been widely recognized.
"My goal for the girls' team is to grow the sport and foster a love for the game, emphasizing access for all who want to play, learn, and have fun," Cotroneo said. "I aim to instill a bit of the 'State of Hockey' mentality in our small community. Inspired by Coach Chris Palombi (SMR head boys ice hockey coach) and his passion for the sport, I strive to build on the strong foundation he has established."
Athletic Director Jon Lombardo expressed his enthusiasm for Cotroneo's promotion. "Coach Nick Cotroneo has been a great addition to our community, serving as an assistant coach with the girls' ice hockey program in 2023-24," Lombardo said. "I am excited to elevate Nick to the head coach role as his leadership thrives through relationship building. Coach Cotroneo is a great organizer and communicator. I am excited for him to continue to build on the program's foundation established by Coach Chris Palombi. I am confident Nick will lead girls' ice hockey by offering a transformational experience for our student-athletes that aligns with the mission of SMR."
Cotroneo is optimistic about the upcoming season, noting a significant increase in interest and the number of players pursuing opportunities to play hockey during the offseason with local travel teams. "Our aggressive off-ice training plan is in full swing, with many players taking lessons, heading to the rink on their own time, and participating in summer leagues," he said.
The new coach also highlighted the importance of engaging with current and future players. "We have a fantastic opportunity to engage with current and future players, ages 8 to 17, during our St. Mary's Ryken Summer Knights Hockey Camp at the Capital Clubhouse," Cotroneo added. For more information and to sign up for camp, visit www.smrhs.org/summerknights.
Reflecting on his experience with the team, Cotroneo is motivated to build on the existing strengths of the program. "My experience with the team last year has motivated me to bring success by building on the high-quality student-athletes already in our program. We are dedicated to providing smart and motivated players with the tools to better understand the game of hockey. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my love of hockey with St. Mary's Ryken."
Cotroneo has been married to his wife, Mia, for 19 years, and together they have three daughters, one of whom is a rising junior at St. Mary's Ryken.
No comments:
Post a Comment