DENVER - Two-time National Coach of the Year George Gwozdecky (Thunder Bay, Ontario) has announced the hiring of David Lassonde (Durham, N.H.) as assistant hockey coach at the University of Denver. Lassonde brings 23 years of collegiate coaching experience, including 17 seasons during a pair of stints at the University of New Hampshire, to the seven-time NCAA champion Denver Pioneers. Lassonde replaces Derek Lalonde (Brasher Falls, N.Y.), who was named head coach and general manager of the United States Hockey League's Green Bay Gamblers on Aug. 8.
"David Lassonde was our No. 1 choice to replace Derek Lalonde, and we're very excited to welcome him into the Pioneer hockey family," Gwozdecky said. "David is nationally respected. His years of experience coaching outstanding teams at the University of New Hampshire, combined with his unique ability to cultivate relationships, recruit and develop outstanding goaltenders made him the ideal candidate for the position."
Lassonde began coaching at UNH in 1988, serving as the team's goaltending coach. During his tenure at UNH, Lassonde mentored a pair of Hobey Baker finalists in Ty Conklin and Kevin Regan as well as five All-Americans in Conklin, Regan, Mike Ayers, Jeff Levy and Brian Foster.
In between his two stays in Durham, Lassonde spent three years at both the University of Wisconsin (1991-94) and Miami University (1994-97). During his 24 years of collegiate coaching, Lassonde has helped coach his teams to five NCAA Frozen Fours and 17 NCAA Tournaments. As a member of Coach Dick Umile's staff at New Hampshire, Lassonde was primarily responsible for coaching the Wildcat defensemen and goaltenders. Lassonde's other on-ice duties included assisting Umile in all aspects of practice preparation and implementation, especially as it related to the program's defensive systems. Lassonde coordinated the UNH video program and his experience has also played a key role in UNH's recruitment of many of its national caliber players.
"I am excited to begin this new chapter of my coaching career at the University of Denver," Lassonde said. "Having previously worked in the WCHA, I appreciate the tradition of DU hockey and I am grateful for the opportunity to return to one of college hockey's most competitive conferences and work with one of the nation's elite programs. I appreciate the confidence George Gwozdecky, Steve Miller and Derek Lalonde have shown in me and I want to express my gratitude to them, and the entire DU staff, for the professional and respectful manner in which the process was conducted. I was very impressed with the facilities, culture and sense of family witnessed during my recent visit to Denver. I got a feel early on that it would be a good fit, and I am anxious to begin working with the student-athletes at Denver."
In 2007, Lassonde was recognized by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) with the Terry Flanagan Award, which is given annually to an assistant coach who has demonstrated a superior body of work during his/her career. In addition, he was inducted into the Rochester (N.H.) Sports Hall of Fame for his achievements as an athlete and coach.
"I want to express my gratitude to Marty Scarano, Dick Umile and all the people I have had the pleasure to work with during my second tour of duty in Durham," Lassonde added. "I will be forever appreciative of the opportunity UNH has given me to pursue my dream of coaching at the collegiate level. I also want to thank all the current and past UNH players I have had the pleasure of coaching. One of the big reasons why we enter this profession is to have the opportunity to work with young men and watch them grow as people and develop as players. I am grateful to them for making my time at UNH such a rewarding one."
During the summer months, Lassonde works for the New England District in its Player Development programs. He has coached at numerous USA Hockey district and national festivals, and was an assistant on the US Under-18 team that competed in the 2005 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in Slovakia. He also has coached for the past 18 years at Stan Mikita's School for the Hearing Impaired in Chicago, Ill. Recently, Lassonde became a mentor for the USA Hockey Warren Strelow Goaltending Mentor Program.
The Rochester, N.H. native graduated cum laude from Providence College with a Bachelor of Arts in history education and played goal for the Friars from 1981-83 under current New Jersey Devils President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello.
Lassonde joins Gwozdecky, Associate Head Coach Steve Miller (Sun Prairie, Wis.), Director of Hockey Operations David Tenzer (New Rochelle, N.Y.), Volunteer Assistant Coach Matty Thomas (Bow, N.H.) and Student Assistant Coach David Carle (Anchorage, Alaska) on staff at DU. Official practice for the Pioneers begins on Saturday, Oct. 1. DU opens regular-season action at Boston College and Boston University on Oct. 14-15.
"With our freshmen class due to arrive in less than two weeks, it was important that our search for a new assistant coach was efficient and productive," Gwozdecky added. "David is an outstanding addition to our staff and we're anxious for him to hit the ground running in what could be a special season of DU hockey."
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