How Vince Stalletti's role will change as a full-time assistant

When UConn head coach Mike Cavanaugh got approval from the school to hire a third, full-time assistant coach — a position created this offseason thanks to a change in NCAA rules — he didn’t have to look far to find the right candidate. Vince Stalletti was not only on the top of Cavanaugh’s list, he was the only name on it.

On Tuesday, Cavanaugh officially announced the addition of Stalletti as the third full-time member of the coaching staff. It’s not like he’s a stranger to the program, though — Stalletti spent the last three seasons working as the Huskies’ volunteer goaltending coach.

Now that he’s a full assistant, his primary area of focus will remain on the net-minders — it just won’t be his only job anymore.

“One of the things I said (to Stalletti): ‘When I'm hiring you as a full-time coach, you're not just a goalie coach,’” Cavanaugh explained.

First and foremost, Stalletti will join UConn’s recruiting efforts alongside Cavanaugh, associate head coach Tyler Helton and fellow assistant Mike Pereira. He’ll also start working with the skaters — something he isn’t completely unfamiliar with. Before arriving in Storrs, Stalletti coached the defensemen and the penalty kill alongside the goalies at Division III UMass Dartmouth.

Now, he’ll be in charge of UConn’s skill development — something the team often dedicates at least one day a week to.

“He's excellent with skill development. He'll probably oversee the skill development plans we have for players,” Cavanaugh said. “It's something that he's very good with.”

Above all, Stalletti will just provide another voice and perspective to the coaching staff, something Cavanaugh always appreciates.

“He's organized and detailed. He's got a great hockey mind,” Cavanaugh said. “And he wakes up every day trying to make our program better.”