West Hartford Native Named 1st Hockey Coach At Albertus Magnus

WEST HARTFORD, CT — West Hartford native Kyle Wallack was introduced Monday as the first head coach of the Albertus Magnus College men’s hockey program. Wallack, who most recently served as the associate head coach of the University of Vermont’s hockey team, will lead the Falcons as they begin NCAA intercollegiate play for the 2019-2020 season. Wallack also spent five seasons as an assistant coach at Yale and recruited the nation's top scoring offense and recruited several members of Yale's 2013 NCAA national championship squad during his final two years in 2009-10 and 2010-11. He also spent three years at Quinnipiac University, winning the 2002 MAAC championship and claiming its first NCAA Tournament bid, followed by two seasons at UConn.

"In a deep and qualified pool of more than 100 applicants, Kyle Wallack rose to the top as the right person to develop and lead the new hockey program at Albertus Magnus College," Albertus Magnus President Dr. Marc M. Camille said in a press release. "Kyle is a highly regarded hockey coach with a proven record of success in recruiting and coaching talented student athletes. His previous experience at Yale and Quinnipiac and his appreciation for the distinct advantages of Albertus' Catholic, liberal arts-based education will serve him well."

Albertus Athletic Director Jim Abromaitis said Wallack brings with him “a wealth of experience and a history of success. He is well-known and well-respected among all in the hockey community not only locally but nationally as well. I don't think there is anyone more prepared to put our new Men's Ice Hockey Program on the map."

"My family and I are absolutely thrilled to become part of the Albertus and New Haven communities," Wallack said. "Being from Connecticut makes this opportunity extra special for us. I would like to thank President Marc Camille and Athletic Director Jim Abromaitis as well as all the members of the search committee for their efforts throughout this process. It's truly an honor to become the first head coach of the program and I am excited to lead and preach the values that Albertus is known for."

Read more from the press release below:

At a joint press conference with the City of New Haven on April 4, 2018, Albertus announced its plans to add a men's ice hockey program via a unique partnership with the City and its historic Ralph Walker Skating Rink, which will serve as the home arena for Albertus Falcons ice hockey. In addition to bringing the first NCAA Division III hockey program to the greater New Haven area, Albertus Magnus, via its hockey coaches and players, will provide leadership in developing a Learn to Skate/Youth Hockey program for the City's children.

Wallack boasts 18 years of NCAA Division I coaching experience and one season as a head coach in the elite United States Hockey League. During that time, he recruited 15 NHL draft picks, three All-USHL players and three USA Olympians. Serving as the associate head coach at the University of Vermont since 2013, Wallack's responsibilities included offensive coaching, recruiting and the power play. Wallack helped lead Vermont to three 20-win seasons in a four-year span from 2013-17, including a 2014 NCAA Tournament appearance. Two years ago, the Catamounts earned their highest Hockey East regular season finish in the standings since 2009 with sixth place.

Prior to joining UVM, Wallack was the head coach of the Indiana Ice in the USHL, leading the team to a 35-16-9 record in the regular season. He also spent five seasons as an assistant coach at Yale and recruited the nation's top scoring offense and recruited several members of Yale's 2013 NCAA national championship squad during his final two years in 2009-10 and 2010-11. Wallack served as an assistant coach at the College of the Holy Cross for two seasons and helped the Crusaders register a historic overtime upset over Minnesota at the 2006 NCAA West Regional.

The West Hartford, Connecticut, native also spent three years as assistant coach at Quinnipiac University, winning the 2002 MAAC Championship and claiming its first NCAA Tournament bid, followed by two seasons at the University of Connecticut.

As a player, Wallack was a four-year starting goaltender at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. He served as the team captain as a senior and earned All-NECHA honors twice during his career.

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