The Rensselaer Engineers have reached out west in naming their new head coach. On Wednesday, Rensselaer named Seth Appert, a former Ferris State goaltender and assistant at Denver, as the 12th head man in Engineer history.
Appert takes over for Dan Fridgen, who resigned on March 21, 2006. Fridgen had been the winningest coach in Rensselaer history in his 12 years, going 211-193-38 during his tenure.
Appert, 31, spent nine seasons as an assistant coach at Denver. In his tenure there he won two NCAA championships, three WCHA tournament championships and two WCHA regular-season titles. Appert started as a volunteer assistant coach at Denver, then went to Mercyhurst in the spring of 1999. In August of 1999 he came back to the Pioneers and had been there since.
At Denver Appert was responsible for recruiting, on-ice coaching, video breakdown and game analysis work along with working with the goaltenders.
Appert was a goaltender at Ferris State from 1992-96, and helped backstop the Bulldogs to some of their best years.
Appert takes over for a squad that has disappointed in the last four years, finishing 11th twice, fifth and seventh. This past season, with a multitude of injuries, the Engineers finished 14-17-6 and in a tie for sixth in the ECACHL.
“I am honored to lead the hockey program at such a prestigious institution as Rensselaer,” said Appert. “I am confident that my goals for the hockey program are consistent with Rensselaer’s institutional vision that stresses the overall excellence of the students and the athletes. I am looking forward to the challenge of developing and maintaining a hockey program that both the institution and the community will be proud to call their own.”
“Rensselaer attracts the best of the best and once again we have done so with the hiring of Seth Appert,” Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson said. “He is a proven teacher and a leader. His passion for the sport and commitment to education make him a perfect fit for the Institute and we enthusiastically welcome him into the Rensselaer family.”
“Seth is recognized throughout college hockey as a winner on and off the ice,” said Rensselaer Director of Athletics Ken Ralph. “He is a person who consistently brings out the best in his players and we fully expect him to do so at Rensselaer.”
Appert is expected to meet the Rensselaer community on Friday. In the meantime he has verbally agreed to, and is in the process of finalizing, a four-year contract with Rensselaer.
