UConn men's hockey posts opening for third full-time assistant coach

UConn men’s hockey’s coaching staff will have a new full-time assistant this season. The team recently posted an opening for a third assistant coach that features notable qualifications such as:

• Master’s degree.

• A minimum of five years (within the past ten years) of combined coaching experience at the collegiate and/or preparatory school level.

• Collegiate playing experience.

• Experience as a goalie coach at a Division I hockey program.

• Hockey East experience.

As the UConn Hockey Hub has reported since the end of last season, the new assistant is expected to be Vince Stalletti, who has served as the team’s volunteer goaltending coach since 2020-21. Not only does he fit every qualification — he played at Division III Johnson & Wales, got a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in analytics at Boston College and has coached at the collegiate level for six seasons (three at UConn, three at Division III UMass Dartmouth) — head coach Mike Cavanaugh believes he’s one of the best goaltending coaches in the nation.

The Huskies have been expected to utilize the third assistant coaching position ever since the NCAA approved the change this past January. Previously, teams could only have one head coach and two full-time assistants on staff.

“This university has supported (the program) — like look at the building (Toscano) right now. I don't think that's going to be an issue,” Cavanaugh said in April when asked if the school would allow him to hire a third assistant. “I understand there’s Title IX implications for sure with these new positions…I do believe that we will find a way to fund the position because I do think it's important.”

While it took longer than expected for the job to officially be posted, the decision to fund the new position shows UConn’s continued investment in the program. Athletic director David Benedict opened the check book to give Cavanaugh a raise and an extension after Boston College tried to hire the coach in 2022 and this past January, the school opened Toscano Family Ice Forum, a brand new, on-campus hockey facility.

The new hire will join Cavanaugh’s staff alongside Tyler Helton, who was recently promoted to associate head coach, and Mike Pereira, who is entering his second season with the program. The job posting closes on Thursday, Sept. 7, which means an announcement should come either that day or shortly afterwards.

As for UConn women’s hockey, it remains to be seen if the program adds a third full-time assistant but if they don’t, that’ll be by choice. Head coach Chris McKenzie prefers to keep a small inner circle and would rather continue with just his two current deputies, associate head coach Casey Handrahan and assistant coach Elizabeth Wulf.