Northeastern has relieved coach Bruce Crowder of his coaching duties, following just two winning seasons in nine years.
The Huskies went 15-18-5 this season, finishing sixth in Hockey East. They lost to New Hampshire in two games in the Hockey East playoffs. Crowder was 120-170-36 in nine seasons.
Northeastern athletic director Dave O’Brien said the school’s search for a replacement will begin immediately.
“Making this decision was very difficult,” O’Brien said. “Bruce is a hard-working gentleman who has always put the best interests of his players first. We greatly appreciate Coach Crowder’s many contributions to Northeastern over the years.”
USCHO reported at the end of last season that Crowder, heading into 2004-05 under the last year of his contract and without an extension offer, was telling recruits to be prepared for his possible departure.
Crowder became the eighth Northeastern coach in 1996 after leading Massachusetts-Lowell to a 99-75-19 record from 1991-96, including two NCAA appearances. He is a three-time Hockey East Coach of the Year, twice with Lowell and once with Northeastern. He was named National Coach of the Year while at Lowell in 1996.
Crowder played at New Hampshire and graduated in 1979 before embarking on an NHL career with the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins from 1981-85. Before entering the head coaching ranks, Crowder was an assistant at Maine from 1986-90 and an assistant at Lowell for the 1990-91 season.
